I saw in Nitsa's journal that she uses rainwater on her hair. Can you buy rainwater or do you have to catch it?

I'm pretty sure you have to catch it, as I've never seen any for sale. My grandmother, who had hip-length hair all her adult life, only used rainwater on her hair. If the rain barrel was empty, her hair didn't get washed. I used to think that was pretty gross. But she did have lovely hair.

Does it rain where you live, OriginalKat? Is the rainfall clean and not polluted? If so, then catch all you can! Why pay for something that the skies give so freely?

In addtion to Nitsa's journal, here is a thread (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=19425) that discusses rainwater, if you are interested.

Celuriel

I catch mine and then filter it. I usually just put out lots of bowels when I know it is going to rain hard. I also had an Aunt who had a rain barrel and it was almost always full. I remember every time we would go to their house as a child I would have to put my head down into the barrel and take a deep breath. It always smelled so wonderfuly fresh. I wish I had one. Hopefully someday :smile:

Hmm, I would make sure you aren't in an area that could have pollutants first off. Heck where I live right now (not forever though!) if I used rain water to wash my hair would probably be like gunk. Isn't there such thing as acid rain too? I don't know about that though. I suppose if you live in an area that doesn't have smokestacks and such it would be good. I'm not sure though.

Nitsa,

How do you filter it?

Thanks.

How about spring water? Or distilled? ... or am I missing the point?

My great grandmother had a rain barrel. She washed her hair with it. When she passed on at 84, she had beautiful waist length hair that she wore in "Heidi Braids". I am trying to think where I have seen rain barrels for sale. I am pretty sure it was on an organic gardening site. Darn it, I can't find the link! ARRGH! Our air is still pretty clean here, I may give this a try. I too am curious about filtering it. I wonder if you could just boil it for a few minutes or would that alter it too much. Hmm need to research.

I collect rainwater as well. I actually wait about 15 minutes after the rain has started to put out my bowls/containers, just in case of pollution. Then I run it through a Brita and store it in old water jugs.

I recently started to use rainwater. I pour the water through a coffee filter to get any debris or dirt out. I really like how soft it makes my hair.

However, we are undergoing a severe drought - I mean, severe. I got about a half gallon in mid-August, and then quite a bit on August 19th. The only time it has rained since then was this past week, but I only got about 3/4 cup in my various collecting bowls. Of course, I worry most for the farmers, but...I want my rainwater rinse (stomps feet)!

Tea Lady

I am trying to think where I have seen rain barrels for sale. I am pretty sure it was on an organic gardening site. Darn it, I can't find the link! ARRGH!
Gardener's Supply (http://www.gardeners.com/Search/search.asp?q=rain+barrel&searchType=Product).:grin:

I used rainwater once in washing my hair and it gave me horrible tangles. I have the feeling that the rainwater here in the Chemical Valley (yes that's a real nickname for where I live) is not the best to wash anything with, much less my hair. :lol:

Like Celuriel says: If it's clean, catch all ya can!

Speedy

How can you tell if it's acid rain? :confused:

I really wish I could use rainwater! I love the idea so much. But I live in a city and the pollution here is....ick. I'm always complaining and lately my asthma has been acting up. I can't imagine using the rain that falls here. It's such a shame. Makes me sad.

I love to use rainwater,ive had a barrel out for the last nine years for just this purpose.Sadly though for the last three months no water for me as my barrel is infested with tree frog tadpoles and i just cant kick them out,"yes im a softie". :wink:

I don't think I'd use the rainwater in my area, I'm in a large metropolitan area on the eastern seaboard of the US; not-so-great air quality and that probably means not-so-great rainwater quality. :(

But for curiosity's sake - What are the benefits of a rainwater rinse?

Thats a great idea!!!! Im going to try rainwater....Im sure that what God gives us is more benifitual than manmade aultered-leaded and florided to death water...hummm.....Its gooing to rain today,so im going to put a big bowl out.Now,is the rain water used for everything you do to your hair...or just with the rinse????
Citygal, if I were you I would collect the rainwater,and filter it out in a Bretta just like someone ealse said. Rember taht your tap water has been through all of your city sewers and nasty polutients anyway...clouds are natural filters,and the Britta may be all you need to add an extra touch.

Beth

Ooh... I'm inspired. Think I'll try this tonight. The one time I've tried this (because the water pump failed mid-shampoo) my hair turned out beautifully.

Seabear, I know that one benefit of rainwater is that it makes hair very soft! I love the way my hair feels when I can use rainwater in my rinses. Not sure if there are any other benefits? Anyone?


Question: Once rainwater has been filtered, can it be stored and set aside? Or does it have to be sealed in an airtight container or placed in the fridge?

I usually just collect whatever I can in one large bowl, let the debris settle to the bottom & pour the rainwater into a container (leaving debris behind of cours;) ). I use this for the next few washings/rinses till gone, then collect more during the next rainfall. But if I can store more, that would be great!!! :)

I thought I would add here some helpful tools concerning the assessment of air and rain quality where you live.

Regarding air quality, if you live in the USA, the Environmental Protection Agency has a website (http://www.airnow.gov) that may be used as a guide to help determine the current air quality where you are. If you live in Canada, the map is here (http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.currentconditions&regionid=6&standard=CN). More regional and local links may be found here (http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=static.partners_list).

Regarding acid rain and rain contaminated with chemicals, the US Geological Survey has two easy-to-read maps of the acidity of rainfall for the USA: this one (http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/acidrain/2.html) and that one (http://bqs.usgs.gov/acidrain/). For those who are especially interested in considering particular atmospheric deposits in their area, there are animated maps for the USA available here (http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/amaps/).

In my hair journal there have been a few posts about rainwater gathering and what I have learned. The posts, thus far, are here (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=43800&postcount=3), there (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=43819&postcount=22) and over there (URL=http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=174944&postcount=88).

To care for my hair, I have used rainwater and waters gathered from rivers, springs, lakes and the sea, dewfall in Spring and Autumn, and melted snow in the Winter. There is much to be discovered and rediscovered around us. Use care and judgement in your explorations and enjoy the results. :smile:

Celuriel

Well, Ive been waiting for some rain so that I could try it out....so far I don't have a drop...:( I hope to get some to try it as a rinse soon.


Beth

Thanks everyone. Yes, it rains where I live but I was just worried that I wouldn't be able to catch enough. I'll try to catch some next time it rains.

ETA:

So the rain barrels get water from your gutters? I'm so stupid. hehe. I have a cistern where I live so all the water in my house is rain water. :)

I put a 5 gallon bucket under the eave spout and I get all I want if it rains enough. And it's rained plenty lately.

Before using rainwater from the gutters, I would recommend that you read Celuriel's journal entry about it:
Gutter Water Post (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=43819&postcount=22)

It's unfortunate it can get so icky, because it is so much easier to collect water from a gutter spout than from various bowls placed about the yard!

Tea Lady

We have a filtration system on our house. It filters all the water that comes into the house with like 3 filters and a light thingie. It's really fancy. I don't quite know how it works.