Vinegar Rinses and Hard Water? Shampoo bars?

[mormontreehugger]

I haven't actually TRIED any of the natural care stuff--I'm using up my old shampoos first (can't waste it on my budget) but I've heard that if you have hard water, doing a conditioning vinegar rinse will make your hair smell horrid.

I'm pretty sure we have hard water--dry skin, water spots on dishes etc etc and I'd love some advice on conditioning etc before I try anything.

If it makes a difference, I have fairly fine hair, but a lot of it and it's about shoulder length. Maybe I could skip the vinegar part completely and do something with honey and baking soda for shampoo? Or maybe a conditioning shampoo bar? I've been searching Etsy for good ones, but honestly I'm a little lost as to what exactly I should be looking for.
Help?

[Siennaflower]

It really depends on your water as to if vinegar will make your hair smell or not. My water is extremely hard and my hair smells awful after a vinegar rinse and it doesn't go away when it's dry at all. I switched to a citric acid rinse and haven't had a problem since. Citric acid is very economical, it only takes a teeny pinch per large cup of water as a final rinse and has zero smell. As far as shampoo bars go, you really just have to try them to see if they will work with your hair type. Some places, like Chagrin Valley, offer sample size bars that last long enough to tell if it will work for you. I've never ordered them from Etsy, but I'm guessing you could contact some of the sellers and ask their opinion on what would work for your hair type, as well as if they sell samples.

[nerdymom]

I've never tried "no poo", but I do love the shampoo bars from Virginia soaps and scents. They are lovely and my fine hair has never been nicer. I dont use conditioner or anyhting, just the bar. I love love love it!

[mormontreehugger]

Originally Posted by nerdymom

I've never tried "no poo", but I do love the shampoo bars from Virginia soaps and scents. They are lovely and my fine hair has never been nicer. I dont use conditioner or anyhting, just the bar. I love love love it!

Which bar do you use? And how often? And how long does it last for you? And and and ok that's all my questions.

[Alyantavid]

We have hard water and use a vinegar rinse. I've never smelled anything bad after I'm done.

[maxwill129]

We used to have hard water before getting a water softener and I never had issues with stink using a vinegar rinse. The vinegar stinks in your hair when you put it in (smells like strong vinegar) but once it dries is fine!