Water only washing, WO, 2018

**Hairkay** · January 29th, 2018, 11:46 AM

Since the old thread got muddled up I thought I'd start a new one. Water only washing is the simplest no 'poo method. Many start with clarifying their hair with a shampoo or vinegar rinse then change to using just water only. The aim is to keep sebum to condition and protect the hair. Some incorporate herbal remedies in their water washing journeys others do not. Either way experiment to see what will work for you. It does require patience and some will go through a transition period where the hair gets oily. There will be those that find out that water only washing doesn't work for them but for others it works well. Some may use a little bit of oil on dry hair to help with the transition period. You can start of with daily water washing and start to stretch washes after full sebum coverage if this suits you.

Pros
Minimalistic
Cheap
None or very little build up to deal with
ability to get to know your own hair in its pure state
No products to lug around when travelling
hair feels soft
It is accommodating for those with allergies

Cons
Results are not instant so patience is required
Can't get away with using styling products on hair
Hard water may require extra care to deal with
Hair requires scritching massaging and preening to maintain

Sites to visit
http://wateronlyhairwash.com/

http://justprimalthings.com/2014/10/...ne-no-shampoo/

**MoonRabbit** · January 30th, 2018, 04:14 PM

I've always wanted to try water only but have been a little nervous about scalp issues forming and odor. My hair picks up any odor when I go outside which is why I use a strong scented conditioner. Maybe once I have all virgin hair and cut away the last of my damage I will give it a try.

**melikai** · January 31st, 2018, 06:37 AM

Thanks for starting this thread up again, Hairkay! I still do a very very occasional cleansing conditioner wash, so I didn't feel entirely right about starting it myself.

I'm going to be getting a shower water filter for my birthday in March, and I'm hoping this will allow me to completely transition to only WO.
I've at least been able to recently stop using bottled conditioner on my ends - I mixed up my own concoction of an egg yolk, filtered water, coconut, jojoba, and olive oils and it worked amazingly! For some reason, just oil on my ends wasn't working, but store-bought conditioner leaves it really limp and lifeless.

I'm also contemplating getting distilled water to use for my wash/rinse until I get the filter, but lugging big plastic jugs (and disposing of them after) is not too appealing. I'd also have to change how I wash my hair, and do more of a mermaid soak.

**Hairkay** · January 31st, 2018, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by MoonRabbit

I've always wanted to try water only but have been a little nervous about scalp issues forming and odor. My hair picks up any odor when I go outside which is why I use a strong scented conditioner. Maybe once I have all virgin hair and cut away the last of my damage I will give it a try.

If you do decide to have a try you will notice that your hair has it's own neutral smell that isn't bad. It does require more frequent washing to get rid of odours you pick up. I use DIY fruit hair masks to condition my hair and I find that's been fun. I may have a mild fruit smell left for one day after that. I wouldn't do anything as risky as trying something strong like an onion rinse. Some people I've heard of tried it out and even after they washed their hair with shampoo they still had the lingering onion smell for days after.

Originally Posted by melikai

Thanks for starting this thread up again, Hairkay! I still do a very very occasional cleansing conditioner wash, so I didn't feel entirely right about starting it myself.

I'm going to be getting a shower water filter for my birthday in March, and I'm hoping this will allow me to completely transition to only WO.
I've at least been able to recently stop using bottled conditioner on my ends - I mixed up my own concoction of an egg yolk, filtered water, coconut, jojoba, and olive oils and it worked amazingly! For some reason, just oil on my ends wasn't working, but store-bought conditioner leaves it really limp and lifeless.

I'm also contemplating getting distilled water to use for my wash/rinse until I get the filter, but lugging big plastic jugs (and disposing of them after) is not too appealing. I'd also have to change how I wash my hair, and do more of a mermaid soak.

Oh I do the mermaid soak about twice a week when I put coconut oil, olive oil and almond oil in the bath. I've got hard water which I've learned to put up with since I've dealt with hard water most of my life. I'd only have the option of fitting a shower head filter and it's too much inconvenience getting a new one ever month or so plus the cost will add up. It's only available online and I've seen that many do not have the option of click and collect. I do not have a guarantee that parcels will get to me and I'm not home all day to wait for them. I just do mild vinegar rinses every so often.

**proo** · January 31st, 2018, 03:12 PM

Could you share your current general routine, Hairkay?
Much obliged

**genuinewicked** · February 1st, 2018, 09:50 PM

Hello everyone! Excited to see a fresh WO thread. I've been water-only since July 2017 and am loving it. I definitely went through rough transitions, and it's still not where I'd like it to be, but my hair feels SO MUCH BETTER than it used to when I was using shampoo and conditioner. It is incredibly soft and growing sooo fast. I use a wooden bristle brush every night, and it really helps to absorb excess oil and clean my hair a bit. (Highly recommend this!) I also use a water filter on my shower head, and that seems to help a lot. Excited to join in on the conversations that will take place here! <3

**melikai** · February 2nd, 2018, 04:06 AM

Originally Posted by genuinewicked

Hello everyone! Excited to see a fresh WO thread. I've been water-only since July 2017 and am loving it. I definitely went through rough transitions, and it's still not where I'd like it to be, but my hair feels SO MUCH BETTER than it used to when I was using shampoo and conditioner. It is incredibly soft and growing sooo fast. I use a wooden bristle brush every night, and it really helps to absorb excess oil and clean my hair a bit. (Highly recommend this!) I also use a water filter on my shower head, and that seems to help a lot. Excited to join in on the conversations that will take place here! <3

Good to hear you're having success with it! I also have a wooden pin brush, but find I've been using my Mason Pearson sensitive brush more lately. It has longer bristles than most BBB's I've seen, and it seems to distribute the oils better. Of course, nothing works as well for me as my own fingers! But brushing feels gooood.

I've also been thinking of getting a flea comb, for the ultimate in preening technology

- but I have so many brushes and combs I think I need to tone it down.

I'm hoping getting a filter will allow my husband to retry WO. He has very oily hair, and even after 6 months of it, it was still really bad, no matter what we tried. It's difficult too, because he isn't the sort that will spend hours preening and taking care of it, so it has to be fairly effortless.

**Sinthia** · February 2nd, 2018, 01:48 PM

Gonna give this a shot! Did my first water wash today. Hair is very staticky.. Greasy looking and icky. Gonna try it for two weeks. I have very thin hair that gets greasy a day after washing

**melikai** · February 3rd, 2018, 02:27 AM

Good luck with it, Sinthia! Just be prepared for a big adjustment phase and remember that even if you notice how your hair looks, most other people won't and don't. Are you going from frequent shampooing to WO?

**Hairkay** · February 3rd, 2018, 04:14 AM

Originally Posted by proo

Could you share your current general routine, Hairkay?
Much obliged

I water wash daily adding a DIY hair mask once a week on the weekend. Hair gets styled in plaits/braids weekly which makes it easy to wash my thick hair without worrying over tangles. After I do the DIY hair mask, I'll undo each plait, preen and restyle hair. Hair gets dried with a t-shirt then a tiny bit of oil put on the hair ends. I'll alternate hair masks so the focus is on moisture one week and protein/strengthening the next week. Every 3 to 6 months the strengthening will be a henna, coconut milk gloss. I use mild vinegar rinses whenever I feel the need. I reserve olive oil to treat any flaky scalp patch then follow up with oat water. I use S & D to deal with single strand knots and split ends.