People’s hair is entirely different. While some people crave hard water to get the most out of their hair, others have just about had enough of this water type and require something that can help them deal with their thinning strands. That’s where a chelating shampoo comes into the picture. But before I get into what works for what and why let’s take a look at the effects of hard water on hair.
You know that your hair does not do well in hard water areas if it feels disgusting. You know that feeling that you get after every wash. You have cleaned your scalp and added some massages to the routine, but after a few hours, you still feel dirty. It’s frustrating, and no, it’s not you, it’s probably the water.
Does your hair feel clumpy at the roots? Well, this is another sign that your strands cannot stand hard water. Do you feel slimy and gross even after using a clarifying shampoo? Again, it is the water. How about frizzy ends? Do you have those ends that won’t act right no matter how much moisturizer you use on your hair? Is your hair experiencing both dryness and greasiness at the same time? I know how frustrating this can be. There were times I would wonder whether I should oil my hair or leave it be, especially when the flakiness began.
If you have some or all of these symptoms, your hair is fighting against the effects of hard water. The striking thing is that about eighty percent of the people living in the US wash their hair with hard water. If this is the case with you, the main culprit is likely to be your shower head. Given that most people opt to shampoo their hair while they bathe, it is highly likely that you have been washing your head with minerals coming from your clogged shower system. And your washing machine may also be part of the problem.
The thing with hair problems resulting from the use of hard water is that you need to make a few changes to your lifestyle. And it’s not all about changing the type of shampoo that you use. I will outline some of the things that you need to do to end this train of issues.
Hard water problems
Hard water will not only affect your hair, but it will also change your skin. From frizzy ends all the way to dry skin, there are lots of issues that you are likely to face as you handle living in a hard water area. The more mineral deposits that there are in the water, the more visible the effects are. If you can find a way to reduce the mineral content, you will be halfway on your journey to soft and manageable hair.
Minerals in Water
Minerals are good for us, and you will come across nutritionists urging you to take in more minerals in your diet. But for the hair, some of us cannot handle the effects of these minerals. Calcium and chlorine are some of the mineral salts that will have you tugging at your hair in frustration. They attack the hair from the root, and we all know that when a foundation gets compromised, everything else comes crumbling down. Magnesium comes in to take away the vibrant shine in your hair, and the result is that if dull hair. No matter how many moisturizers you use on your hair, it will still look and feel flat, and this can be quite disheartening for someone who hasn’t got a clue as to what is taking place.
Sulfates: we have heard a lot about them and their adverse effects on the hair. Did you know that they occur in hard water? They work to strip your hair of its natural oils, and that is why dryness starts to show. Over continued use of hard water, you will notice that your scalp will start feeling itchy and redness and flakiness are likely to occur.
There is iron which also causes dryness in scalps that ultimately leads to rashes and other skin conditions. In addition to this, it also affects the texture of your hair. Copper comes into the picture as a decolorizing agent such that you cannot enjoy your color-treated hair as much as you would like to.
Silica is one of the worst minerals to have in water as it results in solid residues that are insoluble. It thus makes shampooing quite hard. The lead will give you a headache when carrying out chemical processes such as coloring your hair as it gets in the way. You can think of it as a barrier.
Together, these mineral salts work to absorb moisture, and this makes your hair feel and look dry. In the end, they end up breaking down the structure of your hair, and you thus end up with brittle strands. The weaker your hair gets, the easier it becomes for you to develop split ends and the texture of your hair ultimately changes. Some blonde people have been known to go orange owing to high calcium contents in the water.
Other than all these problems, hard water also makes it hard for you to use shampoo by resulting in less lather. In the end, you end up using more soap than you would have and the results are still not pleasant. It also creates an impenetrable layer around your hair strands, and this makes it difficult for conditioners to hydrate the hair. If you want to make your hair look good, you have to use temperature settings that are quite high, and this increases the chances of damaging your hair.
Your hair also feels heavy and flat on your head and will likely have dandruff and flakes. As if that’s not enough, you also run the risk of losing hair once your pores get clogged.
Do you have hard water problems?
Seeing all the harm that can come from using hard water on your hair, it is essential to know if you need to make changes to your lifestyle. Start by checking the inside of your kettle. If you come across flakes that are white or yellow, know that you have a severe problem in your hands and you need to address it immediately.
Do you see the same way those flakes have gathered at the bottom of your kettle? Well, mineral deposits do the same thing on your head, thus resulting in clogged pores. The good thing is that you have a fighting chance, and a big one, against the effects of hard water. Studies show that the skin on your head renews every month or so. That means that once you stop using the wrong products for your hair, it should only be a few weeks before you notice some positive changes.
You also need to deal with the hard water in your home and here’s how you can do this:
Test Kits
You can choose to use test kits which will tell you whether your water is hard and if so, the level of mineral deposits at that time.
Filtration
There are shower filtration systems that you can use to get rid of mineral deposits before they make their way into your hair strands.
Chelating shampoos
Now, this is a favorite of mine as it helps me enjoy a good bath without worrying about the effects of the water on my hair. When it comes to shampoos, the first thing that you need to do is to get rid of your regular shampoo. The minerals present in hard water get in the way of shampoos working in that they cannot dissolve in the water and with no lather in play; you can’t get rid of the buildup. As a result, your hair feels heavy and grimy.
In addition to this, the shampoo also leaves residue on the hair. All this buildup results in clogged pores that prevent hydration from taking place, and this leads to skin irritation.
Do chelating shampoos work?
Chelating shampoos boast of anti-static features which enable them to bind to mineral deposits to make them soluble. The chelating agents allow you to get enough lather to clean your hair and they also make it possible for you to rinse out the dirt. Additionally, they get rid of the stubborn layer that prevents hydration, and they thus create room for pores to breathe, resulting in healthy roots and hence vibrant hair.
Here are some of the best shampoos in this regard:
List of Top-Rated Chelating Shampoos For Hard Water
| Product Image | Product Name | Weight | Suitability | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Ion Hard Water Shampoo | 33.8 ounces | Dry Hair | More Information |
 | 2. Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Shampoo | 9 ounces | Dull Hair | More Information |
 | 3. Hard Water Shampoo | 10.5 ounces | Color-Treated Hair | More Information |
 | 4. OUIDAD Water Works Clarifying Shampoo | 33.8 ounces | Curly Hair | More Information |
 | 5. Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo | 8 ounces | Flat Hair | More Information |
The Best Chelating Shampoos For Hard Water Reviews
Table of Contents
1. Ion Hard Water Shampoo – Best Chelating Shampoo for Dry Hair
General Overview
This hard water shampoo works to eliminate the buildup that comes from an influx of mineral deposits on the scalp and the hair. In this way, this shampoo prevents dryness, discoloration and other effects that are as a result of minerals.
Furthermore, this shampoo works to hydrate the hair, allowing you to enjoy moisturized and shiny strands that are manageable. It also intensely cleans the scalp, ensuring that there is no residue left behind. You can use this shampoo on all hair types, and where you wish, you can rely on it for daily use.
FAQs
Q: Does this shampoo get rid of hair color?
A: No, it is safe for use on color-treated hair.
Q: Can I use this on dark hair?
A: Yes, you can use this shampoo on any hair color.
2. Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Shampoo – Best Chelating Shampoo for Dull Hair
General Overview
Natural ingredients are the best way to go when one is looking to avoid the buildup of products on the scalp. This shampoo gives your head a deep cleanse while imparting moisture that will leave your hair feeling soft and manageable. It also adds some shine to your hair.
To use this, start by wetting your hair before massaging the shampoo and rinsing it off with adequate water.
FAQs
Q: I use water from a well. Please tell me that this can help.
A: Yes, it works to remove mineral buildup.
Q: Can I use this on my curly hair:
A: Yes, it will work just fine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUzAeyyAJ9U
3. Hard Water Shampoo – Best Chelating Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair
General Overview
If you are in search of a shampoo that will leave your hair feeling soft and manageable, this is the way to go. Not only will it get rid of mineral deposits in your hair but it will also hydrate the scalp, thus doing away with any dryness. The result is vibrant hair with a natural shine. You can use this on color-treated hair.
FAQs
Q: After how long will I see the results?
A: In about two weeks, you should notice a change in the texture of your hair.
Q: Will this help with hair growth?
A: By protecting you against brittle hair that results in hair loss, this shampoo will help you achieve a healthy head of hair.
4. OUIDAD Water Works Clarifying Shampoo – Best Chelating Shampoo for Curly Hair
General Overview
Curly-haired people, here is a product that will please you. Not only is this shampoo gentle enough to maintain the natural oil balance but it also gets rid of dirt and other residues on the scalp. To use this shampoo, you need to wet your hair before applying the shampoo. Ensure that you rinse off the shampoo with warm water. You can use it every one to two weeks.
FAQs
Q: Does this shampoo have sulfates?
A: Not, it is free of sulfates.
Q: Can I use this shampoo? I am African-American.
A: Yes, it works excellent on African-American hair.
5. Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo – Best Chelating Shampoo for Flat Hair
General Overview
A buildup of minerals results in flat and heavy hair that is unappealing. This shampoo works to eliminate the residue and thus provide the hair with volume. If you are not into cleaning your hair much, this shampoo will do as it will give you a deep cleanse now and then which will last for a week. You can use it before conducting any chemical processes such as coloring, and you will love the results. In addition to added volume, it also adds a natural sheen to the hair.
FAQs
Q: Can I use this on color-treated hair?
A: Yes, it will not affect the color.
Q: Can I use this shampoo solely?
A: No, you need other shampoos to complement this product as it mostly works to deep cleanse what other products leave as a residue.
All the best as you seek what is best for your hair!
Do not use Bumble and Bumble’s sunday shampoo on color treated hair. Says so right on the bottle.