Hair Products for Serious Hard Water Troubles: Malibu C and others

[Viola_sororia]

Has anyone else had experience with hard water hair products? I used to have golden blonde hair, but for the past year and a half, the place I've lived has such high levels of dissolved iron that my hair has turned a walnut brown. I mean, literally, it matched the color of my walnut wood hair fork. I've been devastated. It sounds stupid, but I did at one point break down and cry. I have seen a shade of improvement with Malibu C shampoo and gel packet with each wash and I've also installed a shower filter. I rinse my hair with club soda and then store-bought water, though I've also seen improvement in texture only using diluted vinegar. My hair has been like straw. Brittle, yet heavy and so dry and dull. It's horrible. After 2 washes of Malibu C and 2 gel packets, I've got much more lightweight hair and it's a shade lighter (maybe less, but it's not quite as dark as my hair fork now), but I have so much work to do. I've switched from Suave Coconut conditioner to Garnier Pure Clean Aloe conditioner because it feels more nourishing, but I really need to find something that can help my hair get all the good stuff back in it after that strong shampoo and treatment.

Can anyone give recommendations? I'm willing to try anything, but I'd like to avoid processing my hair with bleach or similar stuff because it hurts my scalp to use even a 10 vol developer (plus, I'm more about getting back to what my hair naturally is than trying to achieve a bottle blonde).

[Ligeia Noire]

I used Malibu but I switched it to Joico because it dried my hair too much, I like this one a lot, it is not as drying but it looks like your hair might need a stronger shampoo like Malibu, more stripping, maybe you should wait, because it takes time to get rid of all the build up, meanwhile do heavy conditioning, because if something that strips the hair of all slip is Malibu. Do an smt, or use a good thick conditioner like pantene, I use panacea or an smt when I want to really moisturize, Good luck!

[Viola_sororia]

I used Malibu but I switched it to Joico because it dried my hair too much, I like this one a lot, it is not as drying but it looks like your hair might need a stronger shampoo like Malibu, more stripping, maybe you should wait, because it takes time to get rid of all the build up, meanwhile do heavy conditioning, because if something that strips the hair of all slip is Malibu. Do an smt, or use a good thick conditioner like pantene, I use panacea or an smt when I want to really moisturize, Good luck!

Thank you for your response! I've been combing the forum this evening looking for hair mask recommendations to help keep my hair healthy. I can't figure out how to edit my original post, but I'd like to mention that I've done those two washes over the course of a week. I've been afraid to wash my hair recently. I'll look into Joico. Would you please define smt for me? I've been lurking here on and off for 6 years but I'm a little rusty (heh) on my abbreviations here.

[blackgothicdoll]

I use the Malibu Weekly Demineralizer, but I looked at the link I bought it from on Amazon and it looks like they don't sell it anymore. :/ It comes in a 12 pack of these little packets that you dump into your hand in powder form, then add water and it gently lathers in your hair.

That stuff works wonderfully, it seems to work well if I just need to clarify in general and I'm not sure if its hard water that's the problem or not. Anyhow, it didn't dry out my hair. This is completely useless information if they've stopped selling it though. :( Maybe keep an eye out for it.

Unless that's what you were referring to by 'gel packets', I'm not sure.

[Chromis]

You will be able to edit posts once you've been here longer and posted a bit more :flower:

For hard water, I recommend using an acidic rinse with each wash rather than letting it build up and then having to use harsher stripping methods. I personally like to use a mixture of apple cider vinegar (commonly known here as ACV) and citric acid (which is commonly found in bulk for cheese-making, canning, and beer-brewing) diluted in water. The citric acid can lift minerals, the ACV helps prevent them from building up. I do this with shampoo bars, but even when I briefly tried conventional shampoo again at my old place I found I still needed a rinse.

[Ligeia Noire]

Thank you for your response! I've been combing the forum this evening looking for hair mask recommendations to help keep my hair healthy. I can't figure out how to edit my original post, but I'd like to mention that I've done those two washes over the course of a week. I've been afraid to wash my hair recently. I'll look into Joico. Would you please define smt for me? I've been lurking here on and off for 6 years but I'm a little rusty (heh) on my abbreviations here.


I would not use a chelating shampoo more than once a week though, I know you might be eager to get rid of the minerals and all but it will probably be more than your hair can handle, I bought the Joico K pack not because the Malibu did not chelate, it was the best but it was too harsh, I like the Joico one but it is not anything magical, it takes time depending on your texture, water and build up.
Anyway, it also dries my hair, I think all chelating shampoos will but this one is a little bit better. I do apple cider vinegar rinses at the end of every wash though and I only chelate once a month or even longer if I do not see reason for it. An smt stands for snowy moisture treatment You add to a conditioner you like, (try something without protein or much silicone)honey and pure aloe vera gel. One part honey, one part aloe and 4 parts conditioner, I also add two drops of castor oil but that is on me. But you can use whatever mask you like, just moisturize your hair very well after a chelating wash because your hair is stripped from all the sebum and oils and it will break and snap easily if tangled or manipulated much.



edit- Exactly what Chromis said.

[Kalamazoo]

lt sounds to me like the water's the problem, so I'd try to fix the problem instead of building new problems on top. What I mean is, either filter the water or else buy bottled water. Either way, test the water & find out what's in it.

But yes, having a hair color you like & seeing it change to a color you don't like? Yeah, that's upsetting all right. Sorry it's happening to you.

[Ligeia Noire]

Unless one installs a water softener to change the water mineral constitution nothing will change. Filtering won't do anything but perhaps get rid of chlorine. Or buy bottled water and wash exclusively with that which sounds to me like quite the chore.

[renia22]

For my well water, I try to make sure to change the water filter every 3 months, but I still feel like I need extra help. For products, I like Paul Mitchell shampoo 3 (or other chelating shampoos with tetrasodium EDTA and citric acid high up on the list), Beautiful Nutrition Lemon Rinse (more pricy than vinegar or citric acid, but I love the formula and lemon scent), Yves Rocher rinsing vinegar, citric acid..

For conditioner, I’ve had good luck with Pantene. The classic clean one is in my shower at the moment. For reference, I have fine 2C lower porosity hair.

Ligeria Noire- I just saw your post and that makes sense. I personally don’t notice that much of a difference with a water filter, that must be why.

[lapushka]

Can anyone give recommendations? I'm willing to try anything, but I'd like to avoid processing my hair with bleach or similar stuff because it hurts my scalp to use even a 10 vol developer (plus, I'm more about getting back to what my hair naturally is than trying to achieve a bottle blonde).

I have used a special shampoo for hard water, but it did nothing. I could not see a difference between my regular shampoo. I have been living with hard water all my life (white residue on the taps) and it's fine. I don't notice anything odd on or about my hair at all.

For some people this is an issue, but it isn't one for me. :flower:

Have you used a purple shampoo to keep your hair blonde? That's the first thing to think about, above the hard water.

[Ligeia Noire]

For my well water, I try to make sure to change the water filter every 3 months, but I still feel like I need extra help. For products, I like Paul Mitchell shampoo 3 (or other chelating shampoos with tetrasodium EDTA and citric acid high up on the list), Beautiful Nutrition Lemon Rinse (more pricy than vinegar or citric acid, but I love the formula and lemon scent), Yves Rocher rinsing vinegar, citric acid..

For conditioner, I’ve had good luck with Pantene. The classic clean one is in my shower at the moment. For reference, I have fine 2C lower porosity hair.

Ligeria Noire- I just saw your post and that makes sense. I personally don’t notice that much of a difference with a water filter, that must be why.

Filters only filter particles and some do chlorine... a water softener is what one needs but who has the money? Or what if you rent?
I have a filter too but it is useless. It does chlorine though so at least that. Therefore, one still needs to chelate. I don't do it much because the acv rinses keep the minerals from build-up as quickly.

[Kalamazoo]

Honestly, I buy bottled spring water, heat it on the stove, carry it to my shower, & use a dipper or cup or bowl or whatever to pour it over my head. When I'm someplace where I trust the water quality, or if I've just done a really heavy oiling & will need LOTS of water to wash it out, then I enjoy the luxury of turning on the shower like normal people.

BUT, washing my hands in tapwater several times a day makes my fingernails & cuticles look really bad. Why would I want to first do the damage to my hair, & then have allergic reactions to ALL the synthetic chemicals in ALL the standard commercial products that could be used to "undo" the damage of the chemicals in the water?

I'm allergic to a lot of things, so that makes me see the situation differently. Ah well, what's right for me isn't for everybody.

You do whatever makes the most sense to you.

[Ligeia Noire]

My hair is quite long to do that and the water here is not that bad. I only need to chelate once a month or so. If I had the same issue I would probably think differently. I am glad for chelate shampoos though. They make things easier.

[Viola_sororia]

I use the Malibu Weekly Demineralizer, but I looked at the link I bought it from on Amazon and it looks like they don't sell it anymore. :/ It comes in a 12 pack of these little packets that you dump into your hand in powder form, then add water and it gently lathers in your hair.

That stuff works wonderfully, it seems to work well if I just need to clarify in general and I'm not sure if its hard water that's the problem or not. Anyhow, it didn't dry out my hair. This is completely useless information if they've stopped selling it though. :( Maybe keep an eye out for it.

Unless that's what you were referring to by 'gel packets', I'm not sure.

That is exactly what I meant. I just looked it up, and it's called the "Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Remedy 0.17 oz Packet" and it kinda gels up when you add water to it.


You will be able to edit posts once you've been here longer and posted a bit more :flower:

For hard water, I recommend using an acidic rinse with each wash rather than letting it build up and then having to use harsher stripping methods. I personally like to use a mixture of apple cider vinegar (commonly known here as ACV) and citric acid (which is commonly found in bulk for cheese-making, canning, and beer-brewing) diluted in water. The citric acid can lift minerals, the ACV helps prevent them from building up. I do this with shampoo bars, but even when I briefly tried conventional shampoo again at my old place I found I still needed a rinse.

Thanks for the recommendation. I started out using diluted vinegar as a rinse, however, it only did a little to help the texture and nothing for the color. I've tried both ACV and white vinegar. I haven't tried it with citric acid, however. Perhaps that's the missing ingredient. It would be nice to be able to formulate my own stuff rather than pay up for the store bought products.


I would not use a chelating shampoo more than once a week though, I know you might be eager to get rid of the minerals and all but it will probably be more than your hair can handle, I bought the Joico K pack not because the Malibu did not chelate, it was the best but it was too harsh, I like the Joico one but it is not anything magical, it takes time depending on your texture, water and build up.
Anyway, it also dries my hair, I think all chelating shampoos will but this one is a little bit better. I do apple cider vinegar rinses at the end of every wash though and I only chelate once a month or even longer if I do not see reason for it. An smt stands for snowy moisture treatment You add to a conditioner you like, (try something without protein or much silicone)honey and pure aloe vera gel. One part honey, one part aloe and 4 parts conditioner, I also add two drops of castor oil but that is on me. But you can use whatever mask you like, just moisturize your hair very well after a chelating wash because your hair is stripped from all the sebum and oils and it will break and snap easily if tangled or manipulated much.



edit- Exactly what Chromis said.

You're right that I need to reign it in and take the shampoo slowly. I have over a year of damage to undo. I want to see the me I recognize in the mirror so. badly. but I'd feel worse if I messed up my hair for good. Thanks for the recipe!


lt sounds to me like the water's the problem, so I'd try to fix the problem instead of building new problems on top. What I mean is, either filter the water or else buy bottled water. Either way, test the water & find out what's in it.

But yes, having a hair color you like & seeing it change to a color you don't like? Yeah, that's upsetting all right. Sorry it's happening to you.

We are working on fixing our water since it's not nice to drink and it ruins clothes, but it's a big job. We've tried a whole-house filter that works great for a week and then gets worn out. Our area is apparently the worst in the region/state when it comes to hard water. The shower filter seems to have a longer lifespan, luckily.

Lapushka- our problem is with dissolved iron (Orange to dark brown buildup and rust on faucets) which makes my hair much darker than it naturally grows. Unfortunately, a purple shampoo wouldn't fit my needs.

[Viola_sororia]

lt sounds to me like the water's the problem, so I'd try to fix the problem instead of building new problems on top. What I mean is, either filter the water or else buy bottled water. Either way, test the water & find out what's in it.

But yes, having a hair color you like & seeing it change to a color you don't like? Yeah, that's upsetting all right. Sorry it's happening to you.

Oh, gosh. I hope it didn't come off like I dislike walnut color hair. I dislike it on myself because it's not my natural color and it getting turned that color coincides with some very dark parts of my life and I want to take my body back.

We have gotten our water tested, and it doesn't contain anything dangerous- just tons of iron. We don't even drink it because it tastes nasty. We are working to find a solution for it, but the type of iron in the water is tricky and the filter we have for the whole house won't take it out. Somehow, the shower filter is taking out the taste/smell better than anything else we've tried, though. I'm grateful for that.

[Kalamazoo]

Hmmm... I didn't word my last reply carefully enough. I didn't mean to imply that you didn't like the color dark brown...

... This is getting altogether too tricky! We're both tripping over our tongues!

OK, I've got another suggestion for you: Have you ever heard of Lehman's Non-Electric Catalog? They sell primarily to Amish & Mennonites, but they're also happy to do business with anybody else wanting an old-fashioned lifestyle. So here's a link to a water purifier compound they sell, that makes all the sediment settle to the bottom. I've never tried it myself, but it just came to mind as I was thinking of you:

https://www.lehmans.com/product/old-settler-water-purifier/

ETA: & one of the reviews says it worked on iron...

[Viola_sororia]

Thank you for the suggestion, Kalamazoo. I will look into this to see if it also works with dissolved iron in water. Perhaps that could help.

1/12/19 Update: I've bought a hair mask and I'll use it tonight or tomorrow in conjunction with my hard water shampoo. Hopefully this will help.

[Viola_sororia]

Tonight I found a honey blonde streak on the underside of my hair. It's odd because that's actually where my hair has been darkest my whole life, but it does give me hope that I can repair the rest of my hair, also.

Also, I've been trying out hair masks. The Deva Curl Melt into Moisture has so far been my favorite, however, I also was pleased with the results of Garnier Fructis Nourishing Treat in coconut (and for so cheap, too! 1/2 of the small container was enough to very generously coat my hair.) I'm trying to create a weekly schedule for my hair. I have the Malibu C hard water shampoo and packets, the Suave Naturals coconut conditioner (my lightest/least nourishing conditioner), Garnier Fructis Pure Clean conditioner (heavier), a hippie shampoo from some greenwashed brand that I don't recall but it's sls free, and Garnier Fructis Nourishing Treat in coconut hair mask. I'm thinking that I'll do 1 chelating a week and follow with a hair mask if it feels too dry instead of conditioner, then on other days, I'll wash with my hippie shampoo and whichever conditioner seems most appropriate.

I am still looking into the actual water situation because it's destroying more than just my hair. It's also destroying bed linens, clothing, and it builds up on dishes and the sink and tub until it's an orange-brown all over with actual dark brown stains where the water hits the sink. It looks like it'll get involved and challenging, unfortunately.

1/20 Update: Now, I am seeing more gold tones in my hair in general. This is promising.