has anyone else here tried "no poo"? (hairwashing

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_poo

So far it's been working good for me.

Sounds interesting. I've just read the article. I've never tried it before.

My Ethiopian "friend" told me that in his country some people with certain hair styles don't wash their hair regularly because it's not easy to do so. I thought yuck, but he said their hair doesn't get dirty or smelly because the oil production of the scalp is very slow.

I might consider giving it a try. hanyo, which method do you use? Just water or with some natural ingredients?

I started out with a complex mixture of eggs and other stuff but decided it was too much trouble and started using the more common baking soda and water to wash and vinegar and water for conditioner.

I use 1 tablespoon of baking soda in 16 ounces of water and 1 ounce of vinegar in an 8 ounce squeeze bottle and fill it the rest of the way with water. I also put up to half an ounce of honey in with the vinegar because I have dry hair.

My hair is very dry and pretty much never gets oily so I didn't have a greasy transition period when I started as my scalp adjusted like a lot of people do.

"No Poo? But Steve, you don't have poo in your hair."

"Exactly." *laughs*

No but it's on my list of things to try. I even have the baking soda in the bathroom, I just haven't got round to it.

Hanyo, I would be interested to hear how well you think it cleans. I mean, if I just sat round all day it might be ok, but I play hockey, and wearing a helmet plus running up and down the ice for an hour make for fairly yuck hair by the end.

I hate shampoos though, all the chemicals in them make me feel quite nauseous.

I think it cleans pretty good considering that it feels like you are washing your hair with plain water. I'm not active and have dry hair that pretty much never gets greasy though.

Thanks for the reply. I guess I will just have to try it myself.

But if there are any other people out there who have tried 'no poo' and do sports with helmets, I would be very interested to hear how you get on!
Of course I have the added issue of quite long hair too.

I have long hair too. It's past my waist.

One thing I've been meaning to get that is supposed to be good for your hair is a boar bristle brush. It is supposed to take the oil from your scalp (not that I have much if any) and spread it down the hair shaft to naturally condition it.

I think I've hit terminal length since my hair doesn't seem to be getting any longer and want to try to take better care of my hair so it can get longer. I already don't dye it or use any products or heat on it so I'm not sure how much more I can do.

Wow, your hair is much longer than mine, mine is only just past shoulder length.

I couldn't find a boar bristle brush when I tried last time. I am probably due a replacement soon, so I will have to start looking around again.

I certainly don't use 'products' or styling tools, but I have to admit that I occasionally give into dyeing to cover the grey.

Last edited by Moomingirl on 17 May 2013, 3:14 am, edited 1 time in total.

If I have bought more than one bottle of shampoo per year over the last twenty, I would be surprised.

Occasionally I need to wash my hair due to hard and dirty work, I use a natural shampoo.

Normal living, including cycling with a helmet, and working, then no shampoo, water only. Sweat residue rinses straight off for me.

neilson wheels, what do you mean by 'natural shampoo'?

Never tried.
I'm not interested in how shampoo affects my hair.
I'm not going to try any mixture of ingredients, when I can go to the supermarket and buy some shampoo. That's a lot easier.

I've used baking soda before as an alternative to clarifying shampoo. It was very drying. You definitely need to condition your hair afterward to counteract the dryness.

I'm considering trying water only on my hair but not until after I get a good boar bristle brush.

I quit using other stuff too, like normal soap and deodorant and toothpaste. I use things like baking soda, apple cider vinegar, honey, and extra virgin olive oil for hygiene. I started trying baking soda mixed with peroxide for toothpaste and my teeth feel cleaner. I hate normal toothpaste and it's minty taste. For deodorant I just rub vinegar under my arms a couple of times a day. I think I'll need something stronger when it gets hot out but in cooler weather that is adequate.

Since I started all this my skin isn't dry, my hair gets less knotty, and I feel good about not putting aluminum under my arms every day.

Thanks, hanyo, for the ingredients. Are the mixtures above to be used in one wash or enough for a few washes? Also, do you use just normal cooking vinegar? Any vinegar? As I have very short and rather oily hair, I think I have to try and see myself what is best for me. I also want to use water only if I can (easier and cheaper).

For toothpaste, where do you get peroxide? Is it commonly sold in supermarkets? I might try something like that, too, because I really don't like minty flavors of commercial toothpaste. I was thinking maybe baking soda with salt might substitute toothpaste.

I use regular apple cider vinegar that you buy at the grocery store. I've heard you can use white vinegar too. I have long hair so I just use it all in one wash.

Peroxide is sold in pharmacies and I guess supermarkets too. We have that in the house to put on cuts. My previous toothpaste was mentadent which has baking soda and peroxide but I didn't like the minty taste and whatever else they put in it.