tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post5947591159540422342..comments2024-02-23T02:03:23.020-07:00Comments on The Eco Cat Lady Speaks: Secrets to my No Poo SuccessEcoCatLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comBlogger207125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-20877462563919003572019-04-04T07:39:19.190-06:002019-04-04T07:39:19.190-06:00Hi!!! I don't know if you'll reply, but I&...Hi!!! I don't know if you'll reply, but I'll ask anyway(It's been a long time since this was posted, so I'll not blame you if you don't answer).<br />I started no poo method since last month and I'm only using water. <br />Before, I used to have a dry scalp and a lot of dandruff, but now my scalp is not dry. I really like that, but it also feels sticky. I read that vinegar will help. So I'll try that. <br />But is it okay if I don't use baking soda?<br />I'm really new to all of this, so forgive me if I sound stupid, but can you tell the exact way to acid rinse? Do I just pour it on my head and rub it all the way to the ends? I don't really have to wash it off with water later, right? I have read about it everywhere, but there's no mention of washing it off later. So I guess that answers my question?<br />And do I have to mix the vinegar with water before rinsing my hair with it?<br />I'll be really grateful if you answer this. I really don't have much clue about anything. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-23197249855810481252016-11-01T14:54:47.984-06:002016-11-01T14:54:47.984-06:00What do you keep it in so it doesn't get wet o...What do you keep it in so it doesn't get wet or knocked over?EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-4499116160336219222016-11-01T12:53:07.416-06:002016-11-01T12:53:07.416-06:00I keep mine in the bathroom too, just add a scoop ...I keep mine in the bathroom too, just add a scoop to a blender bottle and fill with water from shower, give it a shake and pour on my head. Quick and easy!Chelle and Doghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07925527617832849914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-83705648560115155782016-07-16T19:54:09.810-06:002016-07-16T19:54:09.810-06:00I hope it works for you! :-)I hope it works for you! :-)EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-56257137721659745212016-07-16T13:19:04.589-06:002016-07-16T13:19:04.589-06:00Thanks for the citric acid tip, am off to Amazon!Thanks for the citric acid tip, am off to Amazon!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01126603456080847039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-20643717024751056862015-06-19T13:41:48.580-06:002015-06-19T13:41:48.580-06:00Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I'...Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I'm still honestly baffled by the idea that boiling the water somehow softens it - but you're not the first person to report success using that method, so there must be something to it. Was there some sediment that either floated to the top or sunk to the bottom after boiling it?EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-64740329070588412462015-06-12T23:01:10.285-06:002015-06-12T23:01:10.285-06:00BTW.... Best Post I've read yet about this sub...BTW.... Best Post I've read yet about this subject.... I giggled ask the way through. ! :). Here's my fb posting tonight about this subject...<br />Book sorry, I wish I took before and after pics but I probably wouldn't have posted them from embarrassment even if I did. I have been using the no poo method for what I thought was about 7 weeks. After looking at the calendar tonight it's 2 days shy of 9 weeks. My scalp has been hurting and itching for the last week and half. I've been using tea tree oil and it helped but not enough. BTW, tea tree oil Reaks!!! My hair has been getting greasier and stinkier by the day. Omg even I couldn't stand it anymore! Poor hubby was such a trooper... he still snuggled every night with me!!!<br />I couldn't stand it anymore and have been researching all day. I refuse to use any commercial products anymore so wtf? I've read 2 theories of how it goes. Wash only with water and your hair will detox quickly. Wash with bs and acv and it takes 3xs as long. So I figured it was taking me longer as I used bs for the 1st month with acv every 2 days and only acv for the last 5 wks every 3 days. Using non GMO corn starch in between to help dry hair of oils.<br />My hair was So Greasy! It stuck to my head like a whole bottle of gel was applied to it wet meanwhile I just washed it today at 11:30..... yea you couldn't tell! It smelled!!! I pinned it back everyday so it looked pretty and you could hardly tell it was greasy... till this last week forget about it. I stayed fast though thinking my hair was still detoxing looking everyday for signs it was getting better with no results.<br />After today I put 2 and 2 together. Yea, a little slow sometimes lol! Long story short, what if my house has hard water and my hair is already done detoxing. What if what I'm feeling is generally dirtiness and my hair is greasy and stinky because when I wash it with the hard water it prevents the concoction of working so virtually I'm actually doing the only water no poo method and didn't even know it. I also was afraid I'd get some infection if I didn't stop scratching my bacterilized scalp. Plus people looked at me funny like I had bugs something. <br />So I boiled the water tonight to soften it and used it once again but also added sea salt to cleanse the bacteria on my scalp and as shampoo. I figured it was the same as swimming at the beach so for once or twice a month it should okay to use as a clarifier. Then I used real acv with the mother in it, chamomile and peppermint tea boiled with cinnamon for conditioner and hopefully a smell good factor. I strained both mixes through coffee stainers, allowed them to cool and used.<br />I'm happy to report it worked!!! Oh Thank God it Worked!!! My hair is clean, soft, smells good, is not greasy and now my scalp hurts from irritation but feels clean and much, much better! So if anyone else is trying this no poo method and find its not working.... don't do like I did and suffer. Use your common sense and trust your gut sooner!!! It is working but you can't tell because maybe your doing every thing right except your using hard water?! Best Wishes and have a Wonderful WeekendAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-91924807794190409652015-04-14T12:46:58.308-06:002015-04-14T12:46:58.308-06:00Hey Allison,
In my experience it's really th...Hey Allison, <br /><br />In my experience it's really the combing during the acid rinse that helps with the heavy sebum buildup. It may work just fine with the vinegar - I mean if it ain't broke, don't fix it, as they say! <br /><br />Anyhow, I hope it keeps working for you!<br />:-) -CatEcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-55773376354547280712015-04-14T12:10:02.616-06:002015-04-14T12:10:02.616-06:00I previously went no poo for about 8 months, and n...I previously went no poo for about 8 months, and now have been no poo for 13 months with NO plans of ever going back to shampoo. This last time, I was able to do water only for several months, but eventually my hair was too heavy so now I'm back to baking soda and vinegar, which is what I did originally. However, I didn't know about the wasps and vinegar!!! The smell doesn't bother me personally, and I use red wine vinegar to bring out my natural highlights, but I think I'm going to buy some citric acid when I have to order more baking soda and give that a shot! I've also never used coconut oil on the ends, even though they get frizzy for a day or so after the baking soda wash. Thanks for sharing your experience and the tips!!! I'd love to see how your hair looks after being no poo for so long!<br /><br />- Allison<br />www.allisonwrites.comAllisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02261995621776561765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-4254581514312325032015-03-30T19:57:29.639-06:002015-03-30T19:57:29.639-06:00Hmmm... I've never tried Avocados - do you jus...Hmmm... I've never tried Avocados - do you just mush them up and use them like conditioner? Honestly, they taste so good that it's hard to think of sacrificing one for my hair! :-)EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-27821848369801148962015-03-30T19:37:50.079-06:002015-03-30T19:37:50.079-06:00I live in really hard water farm land in Maine and...I live in really hard water farm land in Maine and in the winter it's the worst! I love my shampoo but I just might try the baking soda. I use cider vinegar twice a week for rinse- works great in hard water areas. Cider vinegar works great on my curly hair! Try some avacados either eaten or on your hair if it gets dry. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-88433549496544539062014-09-26T16:38:43.163-06:002014-09-26T16:38:43.163-06:00Hi Dee,
Thanks so much for commenting. I actually...Hi Dee,<br /><br />Thanks so much for commenting. I actually did try some clay at one point, and while it did successfully absorb the excess grease, it didn't really help the waxy sebum buildup.<br /><br />I do have a theory about curly/thick vs. straight/fine hair though. Virtually everybody I know with really curly or really thick hair reports similar results as you are describing. In other words, frizz and dryness are the major concerns, with waxy buildup being not really an issue - or at least pretty far down on the list. I have a few friends with really curly afro-like hair who have had great success with a "conditioner only" method. Your system sounds like a wonderful natural alternative to that method.<br /><br />Anyhow, my theory is that curly & thick hair can tolerate much more sebum than straight or fine hair can - when you have really curly hair, the extra sebum is actually beneficial. It helps it to not be frizzy and to better define the curls or waves while giving it a beautiful shine. <br /><br />Unfortunately, with straighter and finer hair, sebum tends to have a different effect. You end up with a "plastered to the scalp" look, and hair that hangs together in tiny clumps rather than flowing wispy hair - which, tends to make it look dirty.<br /><br />So I dunno... I'm also pretty sure that genetics play a role, and that some people just produce more sebum than others do.<br /><br />Anyhow, I'm so glad you've found a system that works for you and your daughters - I'm seething with jealously over the idea of having curly hair that would look nice without brushing - My hair is not super fine, and not super straight, but it does easily succumb to the rat's nest look without regular brushing!<br /><br />But hopefully your system will help somebody out there - because every head of hair is different!<br /><br />:-)<br />CatEcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-240592666673826942014-09-26T15:00:05.157-06:002014-09-26T15:00:05.157-06:00Hi EcoCatLady
Great Post, I have just spent the b...Hi EcoCatLady<br /><br />Great Post, I have just spent the best part of an hour reading it and all the comments :).<br /><br />I have Coily Afro hair and my daughters are mixed race, one has wavy hair and the other is loosely curled.<br /><br />I use a Rhassoul + EVOO + Water + EO mix as an All in one cleanser for our hair. Once a week to deep clean, I start with a Vit C / BS rinse then follow with an ACV rinse and then Clay.<br /><br />To style I use a homemade leave in conditioner of Water + EVOO + Honey + EO and then seal with a homemade Flaxseed gel. I don't use any combs or brushes in my hair as it tends to cause frizz, I simply finger detangle but for my girls I use a wide tooth comb only when their hair is wet.<br /><br />I have been getting great results with this regime and thought I would share it with you as it might help with your scum issue. The clay I think is the missing ingredient in your regime. <br /><br />If you try it please let me know. I really hope that this helps someone. :)<br /><br />DeeAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15864556923149907316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-60978631318803106842014-09-23T20:40:27.027-06:002014-09-23T20:40:27.027-06:00Hey Nicole, I'm so glad I could be of help!
...Hey Nicole, I'm so glad I could be of help! <br /><br />I really like using the citric acid, both because I can mix it to whatever strength I like, and because it doesn't smell. You can easily order it on Amazon if you can't find it locally. Here's hoping it all keeps working for you!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-83192994196469781822014-09-23T14:57:07.779-06:002014-09-23T14:57:07.779-06:00Thank you so much for sharing!!! I have fine but ...Thank you so much for sharing!!! I have fine but very long hair and I have a lot of it. Traditional shampoos and conditioners always made my hair super staticky in the winter and limp, oily and heavy in the summer. I have been no poo for about 8 months and when I first started, everything was great. Then, about 2 or so months ago, my hair got heavy, tangly and had a waxy or oily look and feel to it. I also had gunk coming out in my brush that I knew was a build up but I wasn't sure of what. I tried lowering the amount of baking soda I used (although I was already using the solution you use) and that did not help. I checked our water but found it to be fairly soft. I tried egg yolks (read that somewhere else) and it worked the first time, but not again (weird). I was very tempted to give up. Luckily, I am fairly stubborn and I finally came across your page and tried your technique with distilled vinegar (I did not have citric acid on hand but will likely try it) and success!!! My hair looks and feels clean, is super shiny and soft and is actually very easy to run a comb through. I could not be happier!!! I just hope this success lasts but given how long you have been doing it, I have a lot of hope!!! Thank you!!!Nicole Freitagnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-87134866969980281242014-08-17T23:25:08.374-06:002014-08-17T23:25:08.374-06:00So I stuck with the apple cider vinegar and actual...So I stuck with the apple cider vinegar and actually spent a good amount of time combing it all the way through, then let it sit, rinsed and combed again. Seem to have done the trick as they waxy bottom half was light and lustrous after I washed it.<br />However.. I am thinking I must be going through a transitional stage (3 weeks no poo) as my hair seems last 2 days before it looks awful the last 2 washes, whereas 2 weeks ago I washed it maybe 3 or 4 times and it was fine between those washes.. Or maybe it's this hot weather.. Either way I am staying strong and hoping my head balances out and investing in a boar brush! Thanks for you help!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-84438428929022932542014-08-14T01:30:26.346-06:002014-08-14T01:30:26.346-06:00Hmmm... that's a new one, I haven't heard ...Hmmm... that's a new one, I haven't heard of that problem before. But, here are my thoughts.<br /><br />First of all, we definitely have hard water here in Colorado, though exactly how hard can depend on a huge number of factors. So I suppose switching to something more acidic couldn't hurt.<br /><br />But the fact that the problem is a few inches down the hair shaft suggests that the problem might have more to do with your system of application. Do you comb the vinegar through all the way to the ends, or do you just put it on your scalp area? The vinegar will help to dissolve the sebum, so I use a generous amount (well, I use a citric acid solution, but it's the same idea) and I thoroughly comb it all the way through to the ends. Then I let it sit, usually at least 5-10 minutes before I begin my combing regimen. The longer I let it sit, the more gunk comes out on the comb.<br /><br />The point of the combing is two fold, it's to remove the excess sebum, but it's also to move it down the hair shaft to moisturize the ends. So if you're either not combing it all the way to the ends, or just working it into your scalp, I suppose it's possible that you're moving the sebum down the shaft a few inches and then it all builds up there... maybe? That's my best guess.<br /><br />Anyhow, I'd try combing it with the vinegar on, and make sure you comb through to the ends. You might also have success with a boar's hair brush once the hair is dry. Once again, the idea there is to move the sebum down the hair shaft, so you want to be sure to comb through to the ends.<br /><br />That's all I can think of at the moment. I hope something there helps. Good luck and let us know what does or doesn't work for you!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-70359028836937417352014-08-13T21:14:06.159-06:002014-08-13T21:14:06.159-06:00Hi, so I am having a problem with waxy build up ab...Hi, so I am having a problem with waxy build up about half way down my hair. I have long fine hair, but a decent amount of it. While my scalp and roots feel light and fresh, I have the waxy clumpy feeling from about 5 inches down. The bottom waxy feeling half doesn't seem to dry very well either, compared to my roots.. I have been using an apple cider vinegar solution, and rinse it out quite quickly. I live in Colorado so maybe it's the water? Would you suggest to use distilled white vinegar and comb in the shower or comb after I get out? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-5408140715631452982014-06-21T18:15:10.823-06:002014-06-21T18:15:10.823-06:00Hmmm... now that's very interesting. So perhap...Hmmm... now that's very interesting. So perhaps folks who are boiling their baking soda are actually using washing soda instead? Of course, washing soda is much more caustic than baking soda with a ph of around 10 as opposed to baking soda's 8. But the article does say that the change is "gradual"... hmmm... thoughts to ponder. Thanks for the info!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-90065509125387865142014-06-18T00:27:08.689-06:002014-06-18T00:27:08.689-06:00According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_b...According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_bicarbonate#Thermal_decomposition baking soda decomposes to washing soda when heated above 50C.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-60621948141195503722014-05-14T13:30:15.105-06:002014-05-14T13:30:15.105-06:00Hi there Anon... well, generally speaking the bica...Hi there Anon... well, generally speaking the bicarb does little to deal with the waxy stuff. The baking soda solution, for me at least, seems to take care of the greasiness, but the waxy sebum requires the acidic rinse to loosen it.<br /><br />Anyhow, I too have long thick hair. What I generally do is brush and/or comb my hair thoroughly while it's still dry. Then I wet my hair and slowly pour some of the baking soda solution on it, working it down to my scalp with my fingers. It helps to have a very diluted solution. I actually try not to get it down to the ends, and to keep it in the scalp area as much as possible. Sometimes it helps to comb my hair out once it's wet so the solution can distribute more easily. You'll know when you get it right because it will start to feel slippery or soapy.<br /><br />After I rinse out the bicarb, I put on the acidic rinse, comb it in and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Then I start my combing regimen, and generally the sebum comes readily out at that point. But, I have to confess that there are some days when the sebum just doesn't want to loosen, and I have yet to figure out what that's all about! Sometimes an extra citric acid rinse will help loosen it, but some days it just wants to stay put! <br /><br />I guess I'd try using a weaker baking soda solution to start with and see if that helps. Sometimes, if you've got too much baking soda it doesn't rinse out properly and that can feel somewhat waxy too - although baking soda residue generally makes your hair brittle and crunchy with very little shine. You might also want to try increasing the acidity of your rinse and see if that helps. If you're feeling a lot of waxy buildup, I think it's unlikely that you're completely stripping your hair - since buildup and stripping would seem to be opposite problems! <br /><br />I hope something in there helps! Good luck with it and let us know it works out for you. :-)EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-79531939755361539962014-05-14T04:26:27.158-06:002014-05-14T04:26:27.158-06:00OK so I'm having some problems getting rid of ...OK so I'm having some problems getting rid of the waxy feeling. I think it's because I'm having problems distributing the bicarb solution and end up putting too much on. I have thick, long hair. It might sound like a strange question but how do you wash your hair with this? Do you wet your hair and just pour the solution over the scalp or do you try to get it through to the ends of your hair too. I've tried combing and am getting no sebum at all out (which I used to when I used SLS-free shampoo) so I'm a bit worried I'm actually stripping my hair of everything!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-36231199400895919852014-05-08T16:10:00.030-06:002014-05-08T16:10:00.030-06:00Thanks so much for stopping by! I've heard the...Thanks so much for stopping by! I've heard the cold water rinse thing too, and I sometimes do it in the hot summer months... but in the winter, Ooooo! I've got goose bumps just thinking about it!<br /><br />Anyhow, I'm glad I was able to help. Best of luck on your no-poo journey! :-)EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-27731762523344486452014-05-08T15:17:51.312-06:002014-05-08T15:17:51.312-06:00This is such a great post - thank you! Two years a...This is such a great post - thank you! Two years ago my hair started falling out loads and my scalp was red and itchy. Somebody suggested it was the Sodium Laureth Sulphate in shampoos (basically an industrial cleaner and skin irritant) so I got an SLS-free one and it instantly went - no more hair falling out and no more red scalp. My hair was gorgeous. But a few months later I got my hair highlighted and my scalp rebelled at the chemicals and dryness and I've been really fighting the grease ever since. Also, the SLS-free shampoos still had chemicals in which were hurting my scalp and making it painful to wash my hair, so I was avoiding it. I went no-poo two weeks ago and it has been amazing. My scalp is calm and not itchy or greasy. But my hair has gradually become so waxy it's almost possible to put it in a ponytail without a hair tie!! So I did some more research and came up with your amazing post. I live in a very hard water area and had been using several table spoons full of bicarb with each wash. Urg. Going to start with apple cider vinegar etc tomorrow as a matter of urgency :-) <br />I just wanted to add a tip that I found from another site, and which I found used to work in the past too. Another way to make the cuticles lie down and be all lovely and smooth is to do your last few rinses with cold water. Or at least one if you can't stand more. It snaps them shut nicely and hair is much smoother and easier to comb through.<br />Thanks again - so helpful!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-44125267022233742002014-05-01T16:53:26.684-06:002014-05-01T16:53:26.684-06:00OK... that's hilarious that you work for a sha...OK... that's hilarious that you work for a shampoo manufacturer! I have no experience with thinning hair, although it does seem that my hair has gotten a bit thicker and fuller since I went no poo. Anyhow, hard water is a real challenge just in general - please keep us posted, and thanks so much for stopping by!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.com