Hi Noodle-Doo, Are you using the right ratio for the Baking Soda wash? 1/2 cup to 5 cups water, pour on head and leave for 10-20 minutes. This will exfoliate the scalp and get rid of dry skin without scrubbing. The BS changes the PH in the hair and scalp, so it should be followed by the ACV rinse: 1-2 capfuls to 5 cups water, pour on head and leave on for no more than a minute, then rinse.
As for other shampoos you have tried, if you have hard water, many do not rinse properly, including Dr. Bronners. The shampoos from DreadlockShampoo.com are made specially for hard water.
If ever you have a build up, sticky feeling etc. try using a anti-residue shampoo like Neutrogena, it worked great for me. It is recommended to only use it a few times a year, works great for removing residues. This is under $10 and can be found at most places, drug stores, Wall Mart, etc.
A member on here, Tim from Australia, uses the bars, ask him the best way that works for him.
Eventually you will find your balance and what works for you.
Peace
Noodle-Doo said:
I am SO confused about soaps and stuff. Tried BS with and without essential oils or ACV, it just didn't get clean - after a few weeks hair was so greasy it looked waxed! Tried Dr Bronners almond, it was amazing for my scalp, decent cleaning, but totally killed all knotting - went from separating twice a day to less than once a week. There was a strange (almost sticky) coating on the hair, that I could feel while it was still wet, but not when it was dry. Took two weeks of washing with regular shampoo to get rid of the Bronners, and the knots came back. Ordered a few dreadlockshampoo.com bars. Have only tried the peppermint one so far, it's decent for cleaning, but seems to make my scalp feel dry and a bit sore. Have gone back to mostly using normal shampoo now. No scum with detergents, at least. Haven't found the miracle solution that works for me yet. Am interested in the Songhai and African Black, but have a collection of shampoos and bars to use up first! I have moderately soft water, oily skin and scalp gets irritated easily.