Monday, November 8, 2010

clean and green-baking soda (the good, the bad, the ugly)



Can you guess what this little cutie and I have in common?
We both have horrible hair issues.

Hair is never something I have loved about myself. Limp, baby fine, and with a tendency for dryness, I have never really liked my hair. Then there are my "baby hairs" that choose to stick out of my head like lightning rods at all the right moments. Yep, my hair and I are best friends.

So when I heard about the baking soda epidemic going around and how fabulous it was, I had to try it out. Not only was replacing your shampoo and conditioner with baking soda super green, it also saves you some green. Hair care products can get expensive especially when you use designer products. Or Head and Shoulders. Just sayin.

Anyways, everyone I knew who tried it had rave reviews. Their hair was moisturized, soft, silky, clean, and chemical free. Some said it gave new life to their dull ugly hair. Well, sign me up please!! Maybe I too could be a no poo convert.

So, I tried it.


Before I share my results, I wanted to talk about baking soda and how great it is.
I use it all the time in various ways. To clean with (it acts as a fab scrubbing agent that is also totally safe for small children and the environment), I use it to bake with (obviously), you can use it added to your toothpaste to help whiten your teeth (just dip a tooth brush, with toothpaste already on it, right into some baking soda), and it can even be for you hair as a great clarifying booster.

When I used it as a booster to my shampoo I was blown away by how great it was. I added about a teaspoon to my regular amount of shampoo and mixed together to make my paste. I had simply brought a little cup into the shower and just dumped it into my hand with the shampoo. I then washed as usual and then conditioned really well as baking soda can be drying. The results were amazing! My hair was so soft, like baby soft. It made me think even more about these ladies (and men) who had replaced their shampoo with it completely. If a little was this great, surely a lot would be even better!! My oh my how this thought gets me into trouble every time!

So back to my results. For me it was horrible. I'm just going to be honest here. Not everything that works for some will work for you.
I did it several times, using different formulas in hopes to make it work.
My hair had never felt more dry. Well once, when I spent 12 hours at the salon getting my almost black hair bleached to platinum. That dry. It felt like straw and was horrid. My scalp itched beyond belief and also broke out. I even tried a vinegar rinse as suggested to help condition and it did nothing but made me smell like a pickle all day.
I wanted to love it. I really did. Unfortunately, I am just now starting to get my hair back to normal. There is A LOT of deep conditioning going on at my house.

I have pretty healthy hair despite it lacking movie star quality, but it takes a lot of conditioner to make it that way. Perhaps if you have naturally healthy hair and don't have to use conditioner every shower, then this could be perfect for you. Just be careful. Baking soda, I still love you and all your great uses, but my hair is just not one of them.

I want to go green and do my part. And I do every day. I am slowly converting all areas of our life to be more eco conscious. But at the same time it has to work for us.

So I suppose there is no miracle cure for my hair after all. But that's okay! Duck hair is totally going to become the next trend. Just wait and see.

16 comments:

trinity said...

bwahahahahaah! That pictureof you is hysterical. Thank you for the laugh.
Also, I tried the baking soda thing and it was very drying for me as well. I am not sure how people do it exclusively?

nault's nook said...

trinity, you are welcome. I aim to please :)
I have no idea either? I had high hopes, but just not for me.

Anonymous said...

you are too funny. I agree though. It is easy to get caught up in the newest trend, but that doesnt mean it will work for you as well.
I happen to think you have nice hair :)
Pam

nault's nook said...

thanks Pam!

fawn said...

I want to try this too. I'll let you know if my luck is any better.

Shipman's Place said...

bwahaha, I'm printing and framing this picture. :)

Also, call me, my blog is seriously fubar...idk what happened, wasn't like that this morning...

nault's nook said...

fawn,please let me know!! I hope it does go better for you! :)

nault's nook said...

trisha, lol! go ahead and frame it because I am telling you duck hair will be all the rage! Just wait and see ;)

Dani said...

oh this is making me laugh!
I have honestly not heard of the baking soda treatment, but I think I'll stay away from it for now!

As for duck hair....you know duck lips made a huge splash along photos all over the internet so the hair should be soon to follow :0)

nault's nook said...

Dani! LOL! you are too funny!

shannon said...

I also have some issues with my hair, but from the other end of the spectrum- super thick, frizzy, dry curls. I have tried everything under the sun- except for this.
As for the duck lips comment above-- so true. And a green alternative to that is touching your lips after chopping a jalapeno. Super duper fun!!! ;)
We used corn starch on my little boy's head (http://nelsonpartyoffive.blogspot.com/2010/08/fear-silence.html ) after he put an entire container of vaseline on his head- it worked but it gave me the willies. Like fingernails on a chalkboard, the dryness on wet hair was the weirdest sensation. Ugh, now I have chills thinking about it.
I think it's very endearing that you still felt it your duty to love on baking soda and all it's glory :) Glad I stumbled over here.

nault's nook said...

Shannon, thanks so much for commenting! I can only imagine how the cornstarch felt! I don't even like the way it feels normally.
Love your profile pic! What a beautiful family!

Natural Mommie said...

LOL oh no!

Baking soda is for clarifying your hair for when there is build-up! I can only imagine how dry your hair was! A teaspoon or so in your shampoo once a week (if that) is plenty. And if you color your hair, watch out because it'll dull the color. I wrote a post on it last winter here:

http://naturalmommie.com/2010/02/clarify-your-hair-naturally/

nault's nook said...

Hi Amanda! I totally agree! I would never have tried it if it wasn't for the many many people who told me how great it was lol! I learned my lesson :)
Thanks for sharing!

roxy said...

so cuute

Promocodeshub said...

I like those casual wear it looks wonderful design.
Promocodeshub

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