9 Proven Tips for Washing Hair in Hard Water
Washing your hair in hard water can lead to numerous problems, including hair loss, dryness, scalp problems, and even dermatitis.
Research has shown that hard water posed serious problems for your skin and hair, even if it does not correlate with other health problems most people fear.
To put your mind at ease and help you circumvent the hard water health effects, we have gathered a few tips for washing your hair in hard water to help you prevent such problems. While some are only temporary fixes, there is one that can help you out in the long run. Read further to find out all the benefits.
1. A Moisturizing Hair Mask
The most convenient method for preventing the negative impact of hard water is using a moisturizing hair mask.
Hair masks are a quick fix for dry, frizzy hair, and they provide numerous health benefits in just around 20 minutes. A good hair mask will give you the shine that hard water takes away. And it also offers you softening and moisturizing properties that boost growth.
2. Rain Water
OK, maybe hair masks aren’t the most accessible. But rain water surely is. Depending in which state you live, you can start collecting rain water immediately.
While it might take a bit of effort and time to do so, it’s free. And once you catch a good rain, you’ll have enough water to shower for at least a couple of days. Rain water is soft and usually free of other pollutants as well.
3. Clarifying Shampoo
Natural shampoos, especially clarifying shampoos, are yet another great product that you can use to counter the effects of hard water.
Out of all the tips for washing hair in hard water that we’ve mentioned so far, this is probably the most effective. Many people recommend a nut and shikakai shampoo because it restores volume, shine, and integrity much faster than other solutions.
4. Leave-in Conditioner
Once a week, you can use some leave-in conditioner to counteract some of the effects of hard water.
If water hardness is exceptionally high in your area, you might want to use this method two times a week. Leave-in conditioner is great if you’ve experienced hair discoloration. Jojoba oil, almond oil, coconut oil, and argan oil are some of the ingredients you should be looking for in a leave-in conditioner.
5. Use Bottled Water
Bottled water isn’t perfect per se. Manufacturing it requires wasting a lot of plastic. And the costs add up enormously over time.
However, bottled water is usually soft enough to use on your hair without any compromise. Now, before you go stockpile on tens of water bottles, here’s a little disclaimer. Using bottled water to wash your hair means you’ll need a lot of it.
And we do mean A LOT. We recommend using it only for the final rinse, as it will wash away lather and soap scum more efficiently than hard water. Afterward, it would be best if you still used a conditioner or a hair mask to get the full benefits. This is one of those tips for washing hair in hard water that isn’t all that effective on its own. However, it still is better than nothing.
6. Citric Acid Rinse
The pH level of citric acid is perfect for breaking down hard water minerals. Dilute lemon or lime juice in a glass that is filled three quarters with water.
After using shampoo, just pour the mixture on your head and spread it thoroughly, especially on your scalp. Leave it on for about 5 minutes and then rinse it away. One more benefit of citric acid is that it also fights dandruff.
7. Rinse With Vinegar
Vinegar is good at getting rid of limescale, but it’s also effective for your hair. Just like using citric acid, vinegar’s pH also neutralizes the effects of hard water.
We recommend using apple cider vinegar, but any type will work just fine. Mix one third of vinegar with two thirds of water in a small jar or cup. The rest of the process goes the same as when using citric acid. Just one warning: don’t do this every day. Do it only once a week.
8. Get a Powered Anode Rod
Installing an anode rod protects the pipes from water hardness, and because the powered anode rod functions similar to the principles of cathodic protection, it can also theoretically prevent hard water buildup when taking a shower. Thus, your hair should theoretically be safe from the effects of hard water.
9. The Best Out of All the Tips for Washing Your Hair in Hard Water
Now you've seen 7 of the best tips for washing hair in hard water. However, we're only now reaching the top one.
You've probably noticed that the tips mentioned so far are temporary and require some effort on your behalf. We saved the best for last. It's a product that will last you at least several years without any extra effort.
It is time to introduce the water descaler. With a simple installation that only takes a few minutes, you’ll receive gallons upon gallons of softened water. The descaler works by sending electronic impulses throughout your pipe and modifying hard mineral crystals’ shape to make them less sticky.
If you want to learn more about how a water descaler works, click here. The main takeaway is the fact that it softened water without adding chemicals or salt. Unlike a water softener, it’s easy to install, doesn’t require any plumbing, and doesn’t require you to buy any extras. You only have to install it, plug it in, and it works.
What Other Things Does Hard Water Affect?
Hard water shrinks the lifespan of washing machines and dishwashers by a large margin. The resulting limescale deposits block the components and inhibit them from working properly.
Not just that, but all appliances that use water will suffer the same consequences. Furthermore, hard water leaves stains on dishes, clothes, faucets, showerheads, etc. This can make cleaning a bigger hassle than it already is.
By getting a water descaler, you will avoid all of these problems. And you’ll also save money in the long run. How so? By eliminating limescale and preventing it from forming in the future, water will circulate more easily. This is especially noticeable if you use a water heater.
Also, you’ll use less water when washing because shampoo and soap will form lather more easily. And you’ll also get rid of soap scum without much effort. We also have a special 10-year warranty for parts and labor. So with just a small investment, you’ll be able to save up to $1000 in a single year.
