Hard water hair washing help! (x-posted)

[karne]

I am desperate for ideas here! We have very hard water, the mineral deposits are actually staining the shower heads, toilets, etc. We're looking into water softening systems, but in the meantime I am going crazy with hair washing and hard water! Our hair smells very bad, very mineral-y, which smells "dirty" to me. It's making me sick. I find that my mid-length hair, and dd's hair (longish) don't feel clean, even after shampooing. I've tried conventional, organic, etc. hair care products w/out any difference.

Does anyone have any advice? It seems sort of vain to worry about this in the grand scheme of things, but I really, really, hate the smell and feel of the hard water.

Thank you!!

[4evermom]

I'd try rinsing your hair with some diluted vinegar and see if that helps. Too much vinegar makes hair seem lank (sort of dirty looking but soft) so mess around with quantity, maybe a splash of vinegar in a tall cup topped off with water.

Vinegar is good for cleaning hard water deposits. Might want to use it straight for that.

[cristeen]

We have pretty hard water, and my hair has never felt cleaner since I started no-pooing. I keep a small pitcher in the shower, and put about a Tbs of BS in there, fill with hot water, use that to scrub my scalp/hair. Then I rinse and pour about a Tbs of ACV in, fill with water and use that to rinse my hair. This has left my hair feeling the cleanest it ever has.

[karne]

I'm not sure what the BS is that you put in the pitcher?

I've thought about vinegar, but I am actually really afraid of burning my eyes, or the kids eyes. And does vinegar hurt sensitive skin?

[4evermom]

BS is baking soda. Vinegar does sting if it isn't diluted enough. Just try putting a couple tablespoons in a large cup for starters. Do you own your own home? you could have water softener added. I remember my grandparents had that. Not sure if it was where the water entered the house or the water tank. Somewhere in the basement, though.

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by karne

I've thought about vinegar, but I am actually really afraid of burning my eyes, or the kids eyes. And does vinegar hurt sensitive skin?

Well, I don't use the vinegar straight. And it only stings if I have an open cut or hangnail. I dilute about a Tbs of vinegar in about 12 oz of water, and it's never bothered my sensitive skin... in fact it's kinder to it than most store-bought concoctions.

[Pepper44]

Apple cider vinegar is the thing to use!

We use that instead of conditioner. We also have extremely hard water and have to use calgon in the laundry and clean out spouts regularly from the mineral deposits.