Shampoo, Hard Water, Rinse Reccomendations?

[whiteEEnerd]

I have started using shampoo bars in the shower, and really enjoy them. Unfortunately we have hard water so I have been doing apple cider vinegar rinses. This takes care of the soap scum and leaves my hair feeling nice. However, according to my wife, it also leaves my hair very stinky. She can't stand the smell of vinegar. Does anyone have any suggestions for something else to rinse my hair with that may have a better smell? I've diluted the vinegar by half and used a spray bottle, and the scent remains.

Thanks!

 

[carebear]

are you using apple cider vinegar? try white vinegar

or a weak citric acid solution (3% I forget what the acid level in vinegar is).

 

[Cattleyabubbles]

Try a herbal rinse! How much of the ACV are you using? I usually use; 1-2 tbsp of ACV, diluted in 1 cup of distill water and I'll add an essential oil, as a clarifying rinse.

 

[Lindy]

I just thought of something - you can do a herbal infusion by putting your favourite spices, herbs and/or botanicals in your vinegar. The downside is that you need to let it sit for a couple of weeks. Then make your rinse....

 

[Ladeia3]

I use the apple cider vinegar with EO's in it. The EOs cover the smell of the vinegar. The following are the most common used EOs in hair care.

Essential Oils Often Used In Hair Care

Basil: Oily hair … promotes growth

Chamomile: Fine to normal hair … gives golden highlights

Clary sage: All types of hair … dandruff treatment

Lavender: Normal hair … Scalp treatment for itchiness, dandruff, and even lice!

Lemon: Oily hair … Gives golden highlights; treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and under active sebaceous glands

Myrrh: Dry hair … Treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and under active sebaceous glands

Patchouli: Oily hair … Dandruff treatment

Peppermint: Dry hair … Promotes hair growth

Rose: Fine hair … Soothes scalp

Rosemary: Oily hair … Dandruff treatment; promotes hair growth

Tea tree: Oily hair … Treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and under active sebaceous glands

Ylang-ylang: Oily hair … Dandruff treatment


Useful HAIR Herbs to make an infusion with

Burdock: great for thinning hair, dry, irritated scalp, dandruff, and seborrhea

Calendula: conditions

Catnip: Promotes healthy hair growth

Chamomile: a healing and soothing herb to soften hair, soothe the scalp, lighten, condition, and stimulate growth

Horsetail: Helps brittle hair due to its high silica content

Lavender: useful for all hair types it stimulates hair growth, and degreases

Marigold: lightens hair color

Nettle: conditions, improves color and texture, helps with dandruff, irritated scalp, and dry scalp

Parsley: enriches hair color and gives a nice luster
Plantain: great for dry, irritated scalp, dandruff, and seborrhea

Peppermint: stimulates the scalp

Red Clover:
Rosemary: excellent for all hair types and problems it acts as a tonic and conditioner, one of the best herbs to use, gives luster and body, stimulates growth, helps with dandruff, and brings out dark highlights in the hair


Sage: traditionally used to restore color to graying hair, excellent for week hair

Saw Palmetto: good for hair thinning and hair loss

Thyme: good for oily hair, dandruff, and mild hair loss

Witch Hazel: leaves and bark are astringent and cleanse oily hair

Yarrow: for oily hair

Yucca: Navajos swear by yucca root to prevent hair loss and to cure dandruff.

 

[whiteEEnerd]

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I will try adding some EOs and see if that helps!

 

[Jaaret]

Vinegar

I too use my soaps as shampoo and use a vinegar rinse. I use diluted apple cider vinegar (about 10-15% in water) and don't find that it leaves a scent. But I also rinse my hair with water AFTER I use the vinegar rinse.

 

[whiteEEnerd]

The EO in the rinse took care of the problem. My hair now smells like cinnamon, no vinegar scent remains.

Thanks!

 

[MikeInPdx]

If you tire of the vinegar, you can also juice a lemon, and dilute that with water for a fresh rinse.

 

[Lindy]

Be careful with the lemon as it can bleach your hair. It used to be something us girls used to bleach our hair to give it that `sunkissed`look.....

 

[MikeInPdx]

Lindy brings up a good point.....make sure the lemon juice is well diluted and rinsed quickly.

 

[ChrissyB]

Yes Lindy I remember doing that, and everyone believed that we were natural blondes (not)

 

[Lindy]

Chrissy -

Oh yeah - and frizzies from here to eternity from leaving it on for too long.....