I need to find a supplier or recipe for a good, long-lasting shampoo. I get "sticky" hair (it collects lint) if I do not use Extra Strength Denorex. But that stuff costs $7 a bottle. We also have no running water, so I wash with a pitcher in the sink. The Denorex keeps my hair clean for up to a week. So, are there any alternatives that will give me the same results?

-- Becky Michelsen (beckymom@kjsl.com), January 28, 2000

Answers

Hi. I e-mailed you a long message and then decided I might as well post part of it here, since this stuff works for me:

Liquid soap base from Snowdriftfarms.com Tea tree oil from same place. Favorite essential oil (I like Litsea- it smells nice and is cheap.) I also get that from them, because the price is right. They say their stuff is natural, no nasties.

The prices are the best I've found, so far, but it's bulk price, so you have to buy a lot, but you get a lot, too. There are many, many sources for the above list, search "soap making supplies".

The tea tree oil has all kinds of good properties; we use it for everything from deodorizing to healing non-serious or mildly infected boo-boos and it goes a long way. Also, it's drying properties help excess hair oiliness.

Most of the OTC shampoos for dandruff have capsaicin (SP?), hot pepper essense, that give that *tingle*, but I don't think that does diddly to get rid of dandruff, I think it's all the other junk that I don't really want on my head.

Also, when we didn't have running water, I found out the hard way to rinse, rinse, rinse, to get the wax or whatever it is in the shampoos, out. That's another reason I like the liquid soap base; no wax.

Does anyone know anything negative about tea tree oil? If so, please let me know before I hurt myself.

-- Sylvia (slydy@inntrstar.net), January 28, 2000.

tea tree oil is realy good stuff i was using it as a wash for my mouth tell i could get to a dentist and when i had a cold the litle that ran down my throat took my sore throat pain away. It is suposed to be great for acne to.

-- kathy h (saddlebronc@msn.com), January 28, 2000.

Becky, I've been a Cosmetologist, for over 30 yrs now. And I would say your main problem is not rinsing your hair well, because of not haveing running water. Years ago when we didn't have access to all the things we have now. I use to go to hospitals & care homes and fix family & friends hair. I mixed a small amount of bakeing soda with several cups of cornmeal to comb and brush through their hair if I wasn't going to be able to shampoo their hair. I also use this on our dogs & cats if they are sensitive to chemicals or it is too cold to bath them. The cornmeal will take out oils & dirt. Brush, brush, brush, your hair while it is dry. It will also increase circulation. Wash your brush & comb each time you wash your hair! When warm weather gets here, & you have a good water source- RINSE,RINSE,RINSE, when you shanpoo. I am one of those that believes everyone should use acid-balanced products--they don't have to be expensive! Read your labels--4.5 to 5.5 is a safe level for hair & skin. If ya haven't used acid balance products on your hair and have used high in alkaline. you will get a build up on our hair and scalp!! IF, & I say If, you are close to a big enough town that has a wholesale beauty supply, Check out the Gallons they sell that make many more gallons! Remember to check if it is acid balanced. When I use to do instruction for beauty shows for other cosmetologists, as a demonstration, I use to prove how strong some of the leading dandruff shampoos were by useing that high in alkaline shampoo as a permanent wave solution, it's so strong you can break down the structure of the hair shaft with it. Does this tell you anything about how important it is to use acid-balanced products? Use vinegar in you rinse water! Rinse ! Rinse!Rinse & Rinse somemore--& you won't have to buy a special-extra-strength anything. If you need more help or I didn't explain my self good enough let me know. Best to you, your private cosmetologist-- Sonda

-- Sonda Bruce (2bruce@netzero.net), January 31, 2000.

I really don't think that rinsing is the problem - I had this problem when we DID have running water. Maybe a hard water problem? I will try the vinegar in the rinse, though. I'm wondering if maybe I should just use Dr. Bronners baby (unscented) liquid with some tea tree in it. What do you all think?

-- Becky Michelsen (beckymom@kjsl.com), February 01, 2000.