Less coating = cleaner hair longer?

[proo]

Newish routine - once a week wash with extremely dilute conditioner (Shea Moisture) followed by extremely dilute shampoo - yes, in that order. It leaves just enough sebum and zero coatings so I can easily last a week between shampoos; often it's even longer. I really want to use my own sebum to it's best advantage since it seems most compatible when in balance.
I bun it up every day, spray lightly with distilled water and cover with a silky scarf whenever possible for it's own health, and because it bugs me if I don't - this seems to provide all the moisture needed, even the ends since they are tucked up against the scalp all day. It has to be a silky scarf or it'll suck moisture itself from the hair. This method has been smoothing the hair as the days go by, yet keeping it nice and clean.

[Madora]

Exactly! The less stuff you put on your hair that coats it, the longer it will stay clean.

Of course, other factors play a part too (how active you are, your environment, etc) but the less stuff on those strands, the less the likelihood of dust/lint/etc sticking to it.

[duchesswannabe]

Thanks. I want to try this.

[Amber_Maiden]

Good luck! :)

[UP Lisa]

I'm not sure what the point of the conditioner wash is. Why not just use the diluted shampoo? Isn't the shampoo washing away the conditioner anyway?

[Madora]

I'm not sure what the point of the conditioner wash is. Why not just use the diluted shampoo? Isn't the shampoo washing away the conditioner anyway?

I think it is to protect the strands/seal in moisture. But I agree with your statement. I dilute both my shampoo and conditioner and have never had troubles with buildup nor needed to clarify my hair.

[proo]

I use conditioner first to emulsify sebum and get it moving - I don't manipulate my hair much when wet, just dump my big pitcher through and over my head after it's thoroughly soaked. Then I dump the diluted shampoo through so as not to leave any residue from the conditioner. If I wait long enough between shampoos and keep it really dilute I end up with clean hair with just enough sebum to condition.
Of course it's an ongoing tweaking process.