Hard water and disgusting hair

Anneber04

Hello! Where I live, the water is very hard, and I don’t know what to do with it! The hard water is the reason why my hair always is really greasy and sticky, because the build up from the hard water settles in my hair... I can’t Even take a relaxing shower, and I never feel clean, even though I shower every day! I’ve tried to use expensive shampoos, I’ve tried to wash my hair in many different ways, I’ve tried to rinse my hair with bottled water after I’ve washed my hair, I’ve tried not to use conditioner, etc... I ordered a shower filter a while ago, but it didn’t remove the hard water, it only took away the chlorine, so I didn’t notice any difference in my hair when I used this shower filter... My hair is still oily and waxy... I'm so desperate! Believe me, it’s not fun to have «dirty» hair every single day! I know that some people who are dealing with hard water rinses their hair with a filter jug ​​after washing their hair, but I do not know if it helps... I can’t afford to buy a softener system, so I hope there are some cheaper solutions! Has anyone else experienced this? Does anyone have any experiences? I need some advice! Please!

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rach_k

I don't think hard water makes your hair oily or waxy as limescale is crusty!  It sounds like you have oily hair/scalp and just haven't found the right shampoo.  

Some people use a cider vinegar rinse after washing their hair - that would dissolve any limescale deposits, or you could use a little citric acid dissolved in water... but I suspect you're going to 'discover' a miracle product you'll share with us soon anyway

elsien

I have to agree -   I live in a hard water area and it doesn't have that effect on my hair or that of friends/relatives. It shouldn't be making your hair greasy, sticky and waxy. Too much hair washing can have the opposite effect and make your scalp oilier - I'm wondering if in your desperation you're overwashing your hair? 

@rach_k, I think you may be right, having spotted the link at the bottom of the OP's post. 

Spoonie_Turtle

rach_k said:

I don't think hard water makes your hair oily or waxy as limescale is crusty!  It sounds like you have oily hair/scalp and just haven't found the right shampoo.  

Some people use a cider vinegar rinse after washing their hair - that would dissolve any limescale deposits, or you could use a little citric acid dissolved in water... but I suspect you're going to 'discover' a miracle product you'll share with us soon anyway

Actually it can have that effect if using soap (actual, saponified fats type of soap) but using commercial shampoos it is indeed unlikely. Anecdotally speaking though, it has been known cause hair that seems greasy at the roots and dry and frizzy at the ends because the shampoo and conditioner no longer 'work' properly. I share your skepticism of the genuineness of the OP but in case anyone *does* want to know:

A chelating shampoo, also often called a swimmer's shampoo, should do the job. I can't recommend one though as I don't have massive problems with our very hard water. (A shower filter made a big difference for my skin but I didn't see much difference in my hair. As already mentioned, they don't actually soften.)

Once the minerals are removed then an acidic rinse should help prevent them building up again, but make sure the pH isn't too low and ends up damaging your hair.
https://science-yhairblog.blogspot.com/2016/03/hard-water-and-your-hair.html (our definition of hard water is very different from the US table used)
http://science-yhairblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/ph-of-common-homemade-rinses.html

There's also a recipe for miracle water: 1/4tsp citric acid and 1/16tsp of ascorbic acid in 3 or 4L of water, should soften the water and neutralise the chlorine/chloramine. Again, I've not found much difference, but it's cheap enough to try. It should taste slightly sour, like you've squeezed a slice of lemon into a glass of water. Or if you don't like the idea of a taste test, litmus strips are cheap to pick up and accurate enough to make sure you keep the pH around 5 or 6.

KxMx

Also live in a very hard water area, I wash my hair every other day.
Did find though when on holiday last year in a soft water area my hair was different after washing. Still okay, just different. 

Anneber04

elsien said:

I have to agree -   I live in a hard water area and it doesn't have that effect on my hair or that of friends/relatives. It shouldn't be making your hair greasy, sticky and waxy. Too much hair washing can have the opposite effect and make your scalp oilier - I'm wondering if in your desperation you're overwashing your hair? 

@rach_k, I think you may be right, having spotted the link at the bottom of the OP's post. 

When I washed my hair at my friend’s house, it wasn’t greasy, but silky and smooth... I used the same shampoo, so it has to be something with my water...

broughy

Afraid I can't offer any advise, however I do understand the issue. As someone who lives in Scotland where water is softer, I have this issue whenever I holiday down south! Despite regular washing my hair never feels clean again until I'm back home

rach_k

Anneber04 said:

elsien said:

I have to agree -   I live in a hard water area and it doesn't have that effect on my hair or that of friends/relatives. It shouldn't be making your hair greasy, sticky and waxy. Too much hair washing can have the opposite effect and make your scalp oilier - I'm wondering if in your desperation you're overwashing your hair? 

@rach_k, I think you may be right, having spotted the link at the bottom of the OP's post. 

When I washed my hair at my friend’s house, it wasn’t greasy, but silky and smooth... I used the same shampoo, so it has to be something with my water...

Are you using enough shampoo then?  I have to use around double what I'd use in soft water.  With 'normal' shampoos, you need to get a good lather, although if you're using something supposed to be more natural or eco, you can't always use suds as a guide.  

onwards&upwards

broughy said:

Afraid I can't offer any advise, however I do understand the issue. As someone who lives in Scotland where water is softer, I have this issue whenever I holiday down south! Despite regular washing my hair never feels clean again until I'm back home

Me too,  I have lived most of my life in soft water areas where the water comes from either the Lake or Peak District and is truly lovely.  

The few years I spent living in a hard water area my hair felt horrible all the time and I couldn't find any shampoo, conditioner or anything that helped much.  

I think its probably about what you're used to! 

Emmia

I find leaving lathering up and then leaving the shampoo on the hair for a minute or two before thoroughly rinsing helps - are you rinsing for long enough? 

QuackQuackOops

Anneber04 said:

Hello! Where I live, the water is very hard, and I don’t know what to do with it! The hard water is the reason why my hair always is really greasy and sticky, because the build up from the hard water settles in my hair... I can’t Even take a relaxing shower, and I never feel clean, even though I shower every day! I’ve tried to use expensive shampoos, I’ve tried to wash my hair in many different ways, I’ve tried to rinse my hair with bottled water after I’ve washed my hair, I’ve tried not to use conditioner, etc... I ordered a shower filter a while ago, but it didn’t remove the hard water, it only took away the chlorine, so I didn’t notice any difference in my hair when I used this shower filter... My hair is still oily and waxy... I'm so desperate! Believe me, it’s not fun to have «dirty» hair every single day! I know that some people who are dealing with hard water rinses their hair with a filter jug ​​after washing their hair, but I do not know if it helps... I can’t afford to buy a softener system, so I hope there are some cheaper solutions! Has anyone else experienced this? Does anyone have any experiences? I need some advice! Please!

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HArd water doesnt do that to your hair.
Something else going on.
And you dont feel clean?  Honestly....thats not hard water.