"waxy" hair???

[1babysmom]

So...I've tried no-poo in the past and never stuck with it for more than a week or two. But, I started up again about 2 months ago (at least) and realized that I just cannot get the BS & ACV/LJ thing to work with our hard water (I could go into all the reasons, but let me just say that I honestly believe I tried EVERYTHING out there! Try me... I always dissolved, only used a small amount, tried adding salt, tried boiling the water first, rinsed and rinsed and rinsed, tried ACV/no ACV, tried lemon juice instead, etc...I could go on and on). So I started using a shampoo bar instead, and it worked better, but the ends of my hair are still "waxy" feeling! I hate it! It's not greasy on top anymore, but just very waxy in the length. I'm getting really frustrated. I feel like if it's because of our hard water (which is VERY hard, and actually, "very" is an understatement) then I'd rather just go back to shampoo. I haven't had a single day in over 2 months that I could wear my hair down. We can't afford a water softener, and I'm not about to make that a priority just for my hair since we manage fine without one for everything else.

But I'm just about done with this...so I guess I'm wondering, if I use my old shampoo once, and then start again with the shampoo bar, do you think that might make a difference? Since I had so much trouble with the BS routine BEFORE I went to the shampoo bar, I just wonder if shampooing with my old stuff just once would "reboot" the process and I could start JUST with the shampoo bar (which I really, REALLY want to work because I like it!!).

[Abarat]

We have hard water here too and I've struggled with no-poo and using natural soaps/shampoo bars for a couple years. I've just finally found the only thing that works for me.

The waxy/oily type buildup I'd find on my hair was hard water, and it would dry my ends out as well with my long hair.

I never did go back to using commercial shampooes, which may get rid of the deposits since they're a detergent. That's basically the problem with hard water....natural soaps will allow mineral deposits to build up....you don't find this with detergent based products-which most of what you find in the store is detergent based from bar soaps to shampooes.

So, the only to work for me was.....either boiling my hair washing water or using rainwater. I'm sure you could buy bottled water or distilled water but I refuse to buy water. Boiling helps to precipitate out the minerals, and rain water just doesn't have the added minerals and such that hard water does.

I find with my long and thick hair (down to the top of my rear) I can get away with washing using about 4 litres of water. I only have to wash my hair once a week or so unless I've gotten really disgusting outside or something.

[Abarat]

Oh, and since I've figured it out my hair has never looked or felt healthier. :

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by Abarat

We have hard water here too and I've struggled with no-poo and using natural soaps/shampoo bars for a couple years. I've just finally found the only thing that works for me.

The waxy/oily type buildup I'd find on my hair was hard water, and it would dry my ends out as well with my long hair.

I never did go back to using commercial shampooes, which may get rid of the deposits since they're a detergent. That's basically the problem with hard water....natural soaps will allow mineral deposits to build up....you don't find this with detergent based products-which most of what you find in the store is detergent based from bar soaps to shampooes.

So, the only to work for me was.....either boiling my hair washing water or using rainwater. I'm sure you could buy bottled water or distilled water but I refuse to buy water. Boiling helps to precipitate out the minerals, and rain water just doesn't have the added minerals and such that hard water does.

I find with my long and thick hair (down to the top of my rear) I can get away with washing using about 4 litres of water. I only have to wash my hair once a week or so unless I've gotten really disgusting outside or something.

Oh bummer! I was hoping to get a more "effortless" answer!

How did you get your rainwater? Just sitting something out to catch the rain? Man, if I'd thought of that I would have been storing rainwater like crazy over the past couple weeks...we usually have a drought in the summer but it's rained like crazy lately...but I think we just saw the last of it, so who knows when it's going to rain again!

The boiling thing didn't seem to work for me very well when I tried it before...how long do you boil yours for? Can I just boil and let it sit for half a day or so? Because it's too hard to boil shortly before I need a shower and then try to find a way to get it to cool down enough for me to use it right away.

Would distilled water work? I know we have a random jug of that sitting in the house and I don't know what it was supposed to be for, so if it might work, I might as well use it.

[hibana]

The waxy stuff is probably a combination of minerals from the water and sebum. Try using an unfinished wooden comb and combing your hair a lot. Clean the buildup off the comb with a toothpick when you're done. Also, try using a boar-bristle brush (NOT plastic) and running it through the dishwasher when it gets waxy feeling.

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by hibana

The waxy stuff is probably a combination of minerals from the water and sebum. Try using an unfinished wooden comb and combing your hair a lot. Clean the buildup off the comb with a toothpick when you're done. Also, try using a boar-bristle brush (NOT plastic) and running it through the dishwasher when it gets waxy feeling.

I actually already use a boar-bristle brush. I do need to find a good comb, though.

[1babysmom]

Oh I have another question...so should I even be getting my hair wet in the shower at all? Or is it important to just RINSE with something else after I use my shampoo bar?

Because if I have to always find/use different water, and I can't ever get my hair wet when I shower and all that, I'm really going to question if this is even worth it...

[Abarat]

I second the unfinished wooden comb too, that helped me a ton! I found a nice priced one on ebay since I couldn't find one locally. I actually went to Sally's Beauty Supply and asked the girl if they carried any "wooden combs" and she said she'd never heard of such a thing.

We actually have several rain barrels, comprising system to the tune of 1100 gallons since we use it for soap making and gardening, we're lucky that way.

Hopefully someone else has had luck with using hard shower water.....anyone?

About boiling the water, I boiled mine and let it sit 'till the next day and just used it cold, dunked my head in the pot and all. Maybe letting it sit longer helps too, I dunno.

Distilled water should work just fine. I've read that that's what other people use to keep from having to fuss with boiling water, etc.

I sure hope you find something that works!

[mormontreehugger]

Could using a brita filter work? I have the same exact issue with my hair and the waxy buildup since I started using a shampoo bar.
And, if I start boiling my water, do you think I'll be able to shampoo less often? And then would I have to keep my hair dry when I was showering otherwise?

Erm.. sorry for the hijack...

[1babysmom]

I've wondered about the Brita filter thing, too. I've heard of it working for some people, but I just always feel like no one seems to have nearly as hard of water as we do. But we do use a Brita filter.

[mormontreehugger]

Originally Posted by 1babysmom

I've wondered about the Brita filter thing, too. I've heard of it working for some people, but I just always feel like no one seems to have nearly as hard of water as we do. But we do use a Brita filter.

I'm gonna try it this weekend! Tonight I'll use filtered water and see if it helps. I'll let you know.

If only I could get my house owner to get a water softener.....

[1babysmom]

Yes, definitely do! I tried distilled water the last 2 times I showered (I'm not doing the whole "see how long I can go without washing thing" anymore until I at least get my hair to feel decent in the first place! ) and I didn't think it helped at all.

[mormontreehugger]

Brita filter didn't help so much. I suppose it could have made a teeny tiny difference, but not noticeable enough to make it worth it.
So then I used a boar bristle brush. Now my hair is waxy AND grossly oily. I'm going to have to use my regular shampoo just to get it to some semblance of normal. Sigh..