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Hard water can be the nemesis of luscious locks, leaving your strands dry, dull, and desperately needing rescue. But fear not, because we’ve scoured the shelves and tested the suds to bring you the top shampoos of the year that will swoop in to save your hair from the perils of hard water. Say goodbye to the days of lackluster locks and hello to the revitalized, vibrant mane you deserve. Let’s dive into the best shampoo for hard water that will leave your hair thanking you every wash!
I. Let’s Start With The Basics - What Is Hard Water In The First Place?
Hard water is water with an abundance of dissolved mineral content, the most common minerals being calcium, magnesium, and iron. It refers to water that’s full of minerals, which doesn’t necessarily sound like a bad thing, right? Though it does not harm your internal health, the problem is that these minerals build up and harden your hair, ultimately leaving it dry and brittle. Besides, those with sensitive scalp can become irritated and inflamed, especially if you have a history of sensitive skin, psoriasis, or eczema.
You can learn more about hard water’s effects via our dedicated blog: How Does Hard Water Affect Your Hair?
II. How To Tell If You Have Hard Water?
Though stiff and dull laundry, dry and itchy skin and deposits left on faucets and dishware are good indicators you have hard water, there’s a quick and easy test to determine once and for all if your home’s water is hard. To perform the test, grab a clear plastic water bottle with a cap and clear, unscented soap and follow these steps:
1. Fill A Clear Container With Tap Water and Add Unscented Soap
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Use a see-through container like a plastic water bottle. Fill it about two-thirds full of water from your tap. Then add about 10 drops of pure liquid soap without dyes or perfumes into the bottle of water. Avoid using soap labeled as a detergent – detergents usually have additives that will affect the test.
2. Shake It Up
Put a cap on the container and shake it for 10 seconds to mix the soap and water. Open the bottle and look for suds at the top of the water. If there are plenty of suds on top and the water is clear underneath, you have soft water. If the water is cloudy and there aren’t many suds on top, your water is hard. You can add more soap to see how much it takes to get suds, which will give you a sense of how hard your water is.
3. Gradually Shake In More Soap
Add more soap 5 or 10 drops at a time, shaking the bottle after each batch. The number of drops it takes to make suds will give you a rough estimate of your water hardness:
- 20 drops: slightly hard
- 30 drops: moderately hard
- 40 drops: hard
- 50+ drops: very hard
→ You’ll see water hardness reported through two different scales: grains per gallon (GpG) and parts per million (PPM), which may also be represented as milligrams per liter (mg/L). Each scale indicates the mineral level in your water. The higher the number, the harder the water. You can use the chart above to find out the hardness of water.
III. Best Shampoos For Hard Water
Whether or not you have hard water ultimately comes down to where you live but the good news is there are ways to remedy the situation without packing up and moving. Installing a shower head filter and professional treatments are both options, but the easiest (and most cost-effective) fix is reaching for the right shampoo.
Best Shampoo For Hard Water #1: Malibu C Wellness Shampoo
It would not be exaggerated to say that Malibu C Wellness Shampoo is the best product in the world for hair affected by hard water.
By simultaneously removing the waterborne minerals that damage and discolor your hair and depositing strengthening proteins and essential moisture, this formula takes a two-pronged approach to get your hair into tip-top shape, making it the true standout of this list. The gentle, sulfate-free formula also contains antioxidants to protect hair from environmental damage such as UV rays, and pollutants.
#2 - Best Budget: GIRL+HAIR ACV Clarifying Rinse
When it comes to natural ingredients that can make a big impact on your hair, apple cider vinegar (aka ACV) reigns supreme. It’s a top pick for removing all kinds of build-up from your hair.
Use it in place of your regular shampoo a few times per week; organic apple cider vinegar gets rid of build-up from your hair and scalp without leaving you either feeling dry or stripped. If you’re on a tight budget, GIRL+HAIR ACV Clarifying Rinse gives great bang for your buck. If you have dry, fragile, or color-treated hair, this gentle rinse will treat your strands with the care they deserve. It’s free from sulfates and contains moisturizing castor oil and shea butter to restore softness.
Best Shampoo For Hard Water #3: Oribe Clarifying Shampoo
With a whipped, mousse-like texture and a sophisticated scent, this feels more like a fancy spa shampoo than a heavy-hitting hair purifier. Oribe’s The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo is great for anyone with oily roots. The product purifies and exfoliates the scalp with volcanic ash which, polishes away dirt, oil, and product build-up. Follow up with a good conditioner and your hair will feel like new again.
#4 - Best Purifying: Ion Purifying Solutions Hard Water Shampoo
The name does say it all. Not only does this shampoo help remove minerals (both from hard water and well water), but it also helps prevent them from building up in the future. It’s safe for color-treated hair and is even gentle enough to use daily – not always the case for clarifying formulas. Ion Purifying Solutions Hard Water Shampoo is a great all-rounder for every hair type, with a gentle yet effective, purifying formula and an accessible price point.
Best Shampoo For Hard Water #5: R+Co Clarifying Shampoo
R+Co Oblivion Clarifying Shampoo works great on all hair types. This one smells clean, crisp, and fresh, exactly how we want our hair to smell. But it gets the cleansing job done, too, using rosemary leaf extract, tea tree oil, and witch hazel to break down gunk left behind from hard water, styling products, or both. The thing that sets it apart from similar formulas is its fragrance. If you’re particular about smells, chances are you’ll adore this one.
IV. Conclusion
In conclusion, the impact of hard water on hair health is undeniable, but with the right shampoo, you can effectively mitigate its effects and maintain vibrant, healthy hair. The shampoos highlighted in this guide have been carefully selected based on their ability to combat the challenges posed by hard water, offering solutions that nourish, protect, and revitalize your locks. Whether you’re dealing with dryness, dullness, or breakage, there’s a shampoo on this list to suit your needs. Investing in a quality shampoo formulated to address the specific issues caused by hard water is key to ensuring that your hair remains resilient and radiant. So bid farewell to the woes of hard water damage and say hello to luscious, manageable hair, thanks to these top-notch shampoos of 2024.
