Do you have to clarify to get rid of cones completely?

[GetMeToWaist]

I'm going no cones and am CO washing at the moment with good results. I did use cones before on my length but I CO with a cone free conditioner. So do I have to clarify with a SLS shampoo to get rid of the cones? I really don't want to use shampoo... I just want to CO :(

[Panth]

Depends on the 'cones. If they were water soluble (PEG-'cones) then they'll eventually wash out no matter what washing method you use (provided it's not NW/SO). If they were amino-'cones (that resist building up) or regular 'cones (e.g. dimethicone) then you'd need a sulphate-based or cocoamidopropyl betaine-based cleanser to remove them and a clarifying shampoo would be most likely to remove them all in one wash.

However, if you don't have product build-up problems and you're not planning to continue to use 'cones (and thus risk build-up) then I don't see why you have to absolutely remove every last trace of 'cone from your hair.