Citric acid rinses

**lilliemer** · July 6th, 2012, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by jeanniet

I've been using citric acid rinses after every wash for over two years now to combat the effects of my hard well water. CA rinses can be very mild and very effective, but your solution was really strong and I honestly don't know what would happen if you kept up with that strength. It sounds like your hair needed a good chelating, though, so probably no harm done with one try. I use 1/4 teaspoon in a gallon of water for a final rinse, and that seems strong enough to keep my hair feeling good.

Would one expect any different results with citric acid compared to a lemon juice rinse?

**Deborah** · July 6th, 2012, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by goldloli

wait, so this doesnt dry hair if left in like lemon rinse?

oooo

No. It does not dry my hair at all.

**Deborah** · July 6th, 2012, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by jeanniet

...I use 1/4 teaspoon in a gallon of water for a final rinse, and that seems strong enough to keep my hair feeling good.

I have used the citric acid rinse for a couple of years now too. I find 1/2 - 3/4 teaspoon in a quart if icy water works best for me. It's not too strong at all. It leaves my hair feeling as though I had used conditioner, but I don't use any. Weaker than that doesn't do anything for my hair.

**lmfbs** · July 7th, 2012, 01:15 AM

I haven't heard of ACV leaving a reddish tint. I guess my hair is too dark for it to show up in.

**jojo** · July 7th, 2012, 02:01 AM

Originally Posted by lmfbs

I haven't heard of ACV leaving a reddish tint. I guess my hair is too dark for it to show up in.

I know when my hair was all virgin it made my hair get redder hues after a while, though I like how soft it makes my hair. The citric acid is the best I've tried, my hair is naturally soft anyway but this even softened my sliver streak and no strangely no sticky up hairs, I'm in love

**jeanniet** · July 7th, 2012, 02:31 AM

Originally Posted by Deborah

I have used the citric acid rinse for a couple of years now too. I find 1/2 - 3/4 teaspoon in a quart if icy water works best for me. It's not too strong at all. It leaves my hair feeling as though I had used conditioner, but I don't use any. Weaker than that doesn't do anything for my hair.

There is no way I'm pouring icy water on my head! I've just never had a need to make the concentration stronger, so I don't. It keeps my hair clean enough that I only bother clarifying a few times a year. Usually I go months without clarifying.

**lmfbs** · July 7th, 2012, 02:51 AM

Originally Posted by jojo

I know when my hair was all virgin it made my hair get redder hues after a while, though I like how soft it makes my hair. The citric acid is the best I've tried, my hair is naturally soft anyway but this even softened my sliver streak and no strangely no sticky up hairs, I'm in love

Guess I'm picking some up at the supermarket tomorrow! Thanks

**Siiri** · July 7th, 2012, 05:34 AM

I use citric acid rinse as the final rinse after every wash. I don't rinse it out. I use about 1/20th of a teaspoon of citric acid to 1 litre of tap water. I measured the pH of the solution with pH paper (which unfortunately isn't very exact), it's about 5, which is supposed to be good for hair and skin. The tap water here has pH of about 8,5. I guess how much citric acid you need would depend on the water you're using, but I would start with well diluted rinses to be safe.

Someone asked about lemon rinses - lemon rinse has sugar and vitamin C as well as citric acid. The sugar is supposed to give better curl/wave definition.

**Neecola** · July 7th, 2012, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by jeanniet

I use 1/4 teaspoon in a gallon of water for a final rinse, and that seems strong enough to keep my hair feeling good.

This is what I use as well. I believe it is the Miracle Water recipe from the old LHC. I use distilled water because our well water is very hard and I don't rinse it out. Has worked very well for me.

**jeanniet** · July 7th, 2012, 11:53 AM

Yes, it's the Miracle Water recipe. That's what I used as a starting point, and I've stayed with that ratio because it's working just fine. London water is much harder than mine, although it may not have all the minerals we do (in addition to the calcium carbonate, that is). I haven't done too much research online, but it might be possible to find a formula for the concentration you'd need based on the hardness of your water. Citric acid seems to be a pretty common chelator.