No soap or shampoo?

[Aigeann]

Despite my boyfriend's threat to wash my hair, I don't think it looks bad.

I am going to try to say this in the nicest, gentlest way possible via the internet, talk to your bf about this.

I say this because a one time bf suddenly went no soap or shampoo and it was a major reason we broke up. Bottom line, he stank. He had extreme dandruff. I tried to diplomatically talk to him about it. He said he did not. But...to me, he did. And, people I associated also with mentioned privately to me how he looked/smelled like a transient.

I totally totally understand going no soap or shampoo for health reasons and/or even to save money. Just to please be a little careful in your own society/culture/circle of peoples.

I am not saying YOUR bf is going to leave. I am NOT saying you stink. I AM saying this is a major change in lifestyle in the middle of an established relationship that may not be entirely okay with the other one.

So, please, talk about this with him even if his threatening is just a joke.

I apologize profusely if my post has offended anyone.

[Kima]

I don't think that is why he said that. Last time he told me I smelled, it was the scent of the essential oils from a lotion I'd used. But we were on a trip together and he said my hair looked greasy, then was surprised the following day to see that I hadn't washed it (which I normally would have). No other comment since then and my hair looks better.

Did your boyfriend have exzema? It's a problem I sometimes have and one of the reasons behind trying to forgo shampoo - my hair is easily greasy but if I wash it frequently I get dandruff. With this experiment I'm hoping to get rid of both to some extent.

[Aigeann]

Did your boyfriend have exzema?

Yes and his symptoms increased dramatically.

Well, good, it sounds like your bf is fine with all this.

Blessings!

[Kima]

What about the old-time no-shampooers earlier in this thread? Are you still going without?

[katie bridgewater]

I'm not going without anything, Kima, except stress, hassle, poisoning and wasted expense ...But if you mean have I shampooed my hair lately, then no, why would I do that?

Glad this thread has inspired a few to free themselves from shampoo-shackles! I suppose we should all thank Plaidcat for posing the original question, because although I gave up using shampoo' donkeys years ago, I never really bothered to mention it to anyone really until this thread started.

I haven't stopped using soap yet - there are some really good soaps with nothing but olive oil in that clean without damage and come in minimum biodegredeable packaging, so I keep a bar for bits and pits. At my day job we sometimes just use leaves containing saponids to wash our hands. Pick and crush - can't get more natural than that!

Sadly though, I can't use 'I'm washing my hair' as an excuse to avoid social invitations...I knew there had to be a downside!

[Kima]

So week 5, the week when my boyfriend made remarks, was definitely the worst. We ended up talking about it, and he understands my reasons for doing this although he washes his own hair TWICE a DAY. I'm glad he didn't realise that it had already been going on for over a month... After that things got better and now in week 8 I don't obsess over it as much. I'm doing weekly nettle infusion rinses, with a dash of apple cider vinegar, to appease the scalp eczema. It helps and "cleans" my hair enough for my partner to leave me alone.

[katie bridgewater]

I have started the Shampoo-Free Jamoboree, a group on FB, for those who are or want to try being free of the shampoo for cosmetic, health or environmental reasons. I hope we can support one another and share our experiences there, and even post pictures of our lustrous locks! (well it was the only emoticon with long hair...)

http://www.facebook.com/groups/345121418932834/

[Fox]

I read a few of the original posts on this thread, but when I saw it was 12 pages long ... nah.

I stopped using shampoo a while ago, having said that I keep my hair very short. I don't see why rinsing would affect natural oils, as oil and water don't mix, right? I would have thought it would rinse out dust etc but leave the natural oils on your hair - but I could be wrong about that. Plus I like the feel of water running over my head

I'll check out your FB page, Katie!

[Oleane]

I am trying to reduce shampoo so I have greasy hairs every second day.
My husband did not comment on it although I once commented that I could not stand the men's soap he was using or the smell of the bathroom after using it.

You can overdo it in both direction. Most important is tolerance.
I think that if one partner can't stand something about the other this is better to say it and assume the consequences than pretending that everything is allright and to be throwing it like a bomb many years later after the last drop turned the water over the edge.