How to Prevent Hair Loss Due to Hard Water

Co-authored by Courtney Foster

Last Updated: March 19, 2024 Approved

Have you noticed that you may be losing some of your hair lately? It’s a really crummy feeling, but you’re not alone. If you have hard water, you may have also noticed that whenever you wash your hair, it feels much more dry and brittle. It could be because of the extra minerals in the water. While the science isn’t fully settled on whether hard water can actually cause hair loss, if you’re worried about it, there are some things you can do to help keep your hair and scalp hydrated and healthy. ^{[1]
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Treating Hair Loss From Hard Water Damage

Use a shampoo with ethylene diamine tetra acetate to rinse out harsh minerals and deposits.
Rub conditioner over your hair, then rinse with a lemon or apple cider vinegar solution.
Use a rehydrating scalp toner every day to repair hard water damage.
Apply a scalp mask treatment once a week to remove any traces of minerals.
Attach a water filter on your shower head to remove impurities from hard water.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Washing with Hard Water

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Hot water can strip the healthy oils from your hair and scalp, especially if you’re bathing in hard water. Use lukewarm or cool water to wash your hair and minimize the damage from the hard water. ^{[2]
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2
Use a chelating shampoo to wash out mineral buildup. Look for a shampoo with EDTA on the label, which stands for Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetate, a chemical that rinses away minerals and deposits hard water can leave in your hair. If you notice your hair looking dull or feeling dry, apply the shampoo to your wet hair and rinse it out to clean it and remove the hard water deposits. ^{[3]
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- Check for shampoos labeled as “gentle” or is described as for sensitive or dry hair.
- A "chelating" or "clarifying" shampoo is a good choice. These shampoos are designed to tackle and prevent mineral build-up in your hair, but they are harsh so should be used sparingly. ^{[4]
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  Courtney Foster
  Licensed Cosmetologist
  
  Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.}
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3
Apply conditioner to your hair and scalp to re-hydrate them. Rinse the shampoo out of your hair and spread conditioner to help hydrate and moisturize your hair. Work the shampoo from the roots to the tips of your hair and massage it into your scalp to moisturize your skin as well. Allow the conditioner to sit in your hair for the recommended time on the bottle. ^{[5]
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- Look for an extra moisturizing conditioner to use.
- It's always a good idea to use a conditioner after you wash your hair in hard water. This will help to prevent your hair from drying out and becoming brittle, which can contribute to hair loss. ^{[6]
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  Expert Source
  
  Courtney Foster
  Licensed Cosmetologist
  
  Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.}
4
Rinse out the conditioner with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water. Combine 1 cup (240 mL) of apple cider vinegar with 2–3 litres (0.53–0.79 US gal) of water in a bucket or bowl. Use the solution to rinse out the conditioner and hard water from your hair. ^{[7]
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- The vinegar balances the pH of your hard water and removes any deposits that can dry out or damage your hair.
Add a few drops of lemon juice to a cup or bowl of water to make it acidic enough to breakdown layers of buildup on your hair. Rinse your hair with the lemon water after you wash it to flush out any minerals from the hard water. ^{[8]
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6
Apply a daily scalp toner to hydrate and soothe the skin. Use a rehydrating scalp toner and spread it directly onto your scalp. Work the solution into your skin with your fingertips to moisturize your scalp and keep your hair healthy. ^{[9]
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- Scalp toner is a great way to finish your shower routine and repair any damage caused by the hard water.
- Look for a daily scalp toner you can use every time you wash your hair.
7
Do a weekly scalp mask treatment to remove mineral traces. A scalp mask is a specially formulated hair product that soothes your stressed out scalp and rehydrates your hair and skin. Once a week, apply a scalp mask and leave it on for as long as the packaging recommends. Then, rinse your hair to help remove minerals from your hard water. ^{[10]
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- Look for scalp masks at your local beauty supply shop or hair salon. You can also order them online.
8
Put conditioner in your dry hair once a month to condition and protect it. Apply your conditioner to your hair before you wash it about once a month to smooth and protect it from the minerals in the hard water. Take a shower or bath after you apply the conditioner like you normally would. ^{[11]
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- Be sure to work the conditioner into your scalp as well.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Softening the Water

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1
Attach a shower-head water filter to reduce the effects of the hard water. Choose a shower-head filter designed to remove impurities and deposits from hard water. Go with an activated carbon filter, which is the most effective option for removing contaminants from your hard water. ^{[12]
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- Make sure the filter is firmly attached so there aren’t any leaks.
- You can find shower-head water filters at your local home improvement store or hardware store. You can also order them online.
- Make sure you change the filter as often as it’s recommended on the packaging so it stays effective.
2
Squeeze a lemon into a bowl of water to soften it. Fill a bowl or a bucket with the hard water and squeeze the juice of a lemon into it to neutralize the water. Wash your hair with the softened water as you normally would and you won’t have the damaging effects of hard water. ^{[14]
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- The acid in the lemon changes the pH of the hard water, which can help prevent it from stripping moisture and natural oils from your hair and scalp.
3
Purify a bowl of water with an alum block for an alternative solution. Aluminum sulfate, also known as alum, is a chemical used to purify water. Fill a bowl or bucket with hard water and place an alum block in the water for 10 seconds. Remove the alum block from the water and wait 1 minute until the water clears. Then, wash your hair with the purified water. ^{[15]
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- Look for alum blocks at your local department store or pharmacy. You can also order them online.
4
Install a whole-home water softener for the surest option. If you want to completely soften your hard water, choose a water softener that will filter your entire home’s water supply. Have a professional install the softener so it’s done correctly and according to local building codes. ^{[16]
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- A water softener for your entire home is the most expensive option, but it’s the best way to make sure your water doesn’t damage your hair.
- Whole-home systems usually cost at least $1,000 USD.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I reverse the effects of hard water on my hair?

Courtney Foster
Certified Hair Loss Practitioner
Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan.

Courtney Foster

Certified Hair Loss Practitioner

Expert Answer

A clarifying shampoo may work to help remove minerals and other debris in your water from your hair so it doesn't get as brittle.

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How do I stop my hair from falling out?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

Check out our article on hair loss: How to Prevent Hair Loss . Eating a healthy diet and combing your hair less is a good start.

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Question

Which shampoo is better in salt water?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

Try the shampoos with EDTA in them. These are usually labeled as "clarifying" or "chelating" shampoos.

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If you continue to have problems with hair loss, try talking to your doctor about it.

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If you’re worried about your water damaging your hair, it may be worth the trouble to wash your hair with distilled or purified water.

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You can also wash your hair with bottled or purified water as a last resort option.

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How to Prevent Hair Loss Due to Hard Water

Treating Hair Loss From Hard Water Damage

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Washing with Hard Water

Softening the Water

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