Hair help - our water softener died

[historically accurate]

Our water softener died last week. It needs to be replaced. We have most of the cash needed, but there are dueling priorities of where that cash needs to go. So we were going to hold off on water softener.

So, I woke up this morning to a virtual Pomeranian or lion's mane head of hair. It has a weird texture and it was HUGE! It was a Holy Frizz, Batman, moment. Normally, my hair is wavy, leans toward frizzy depending on humidity, but nothing like this.  I couldn't even get a comb through it; it was bad.

My normal hair routine is wash every other day. Cheap shampoo (currently Suave) with better conditioner (Bed Head). Once a week, switch shampoo for a tar dandruff one or my scalp gets itchy.  Yesterday was not a wash day for the hair; it was put into a braid yesterday morning that I slept in last night (dry when I braided it). 

This morning, I had to get into the shower and condition/wet wide-tooth comb it before shampoo & second conditioning. It still has the weird feel/texture, but it is at least smaller than it was. 

Any ideas for a hair care routine that won't cost me a fortune but keeps me from looking like I stuck my finger in a light socket or does the water softener need to go to the top of the money list to preserve my vanity?

 

Edited January 12, 2021 by historically accurate

[fairfarmhand]

I vote for a better shampoo (Ogx or fructis). My curly girls hate it when I go cheap in that department. Also use a leave in conditioner like fructis. (I know hard water because that’s all we’ve ever had)

[Arcadia]

Leave in conditioner, then braid. We don’t have a water softener. DS15 and my hair look like lion’s mane if we didn’t use leave in conditioner.

ETA: we have wavy hair.

Edited January 12, 2021 by Arcadia

[mommyoffive]

We have hard water and no water softener.  I have 4 girls and myself who all have long wavy and curly hair.  No issues.   We normally use Suave Professionals or Fructis.  We don't use leave in conditioner.  Just wash and condition and brush in the shower.   I put in a braid, but a few of the girls don't even though I want them to.

The only leave in product they use is when they are brushing their hair before ballet to put it in a bun.  They use water mixed with a little bit of conditioner. 

[prairiewindmomma]

Hard water leaves minerals on the hair that build up.  You probably don't have much build up yet, but what coating you do have is blocking the moisture in your conditioner from penetrating the hair strand and the minerals have mixed with your shampoo to form a type of salt. Rinse with apple cider vinegar once a week and use a leave in conditioner in your hair....  Hope you can get it replaced soon!

[MercyA]

I have long, thick hair and it doesn't rinse well when our softener runs out of salt. I get build up in it that makes it feel gunky. Suave Clarifying shampoo removes the build up very well. Make sure to rinse out your conditioner well, too. 

[J-rap]

I’d mix about 1/4 cup vinegar into a cup or so of warm water and slowly pour it through your hair, gently combing it through with your fingers. Then rinse. (That would be the final thing, after any shampoo or conditioner.)