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The 13 Best Shampoos for Hard Water, Tested & Reviewed

 

Minerals, be gone.

Regularly lathering up under a stream of hard water can cause minerals to build up on your strands, leading to dry, brittle hair, a yellowish-orange tint, faded color, a waxy film, or more frequent tangles.1 Installing a special shower head filter might be a good long-term solution, but in the meantime, using a clarifying, purifying, or chelating shampoo can help.

"Chelating products are designed specifically to remove minerals," explains celebrity colorist Mark DeBolt. He notes that the best formulas cling to chlorine, calcium, and magnesium, drawing them out of your hair so they can rinse away.

We tested several top-rated, best-selling shampoos, pre-washes, and rinses for hard water (and researched many more), evaluating each based on effectiveness, lather, scent, hair type compatibility, and value.
 

Best Overall

Malibu C Wellness Shampoo

What We Like

• Removes damaging minerals
• Hydrates and strengthens
• Hairstylist- and colorist-approved

What to Consider

• Can stain lighter hair colors

Hair Type: Dry, color-treated | Scent: Orange sherbet | Size: 9–33.8 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

According to DeBolt, this is the world's best shampoo for hair affected by hard water—and we'd have to agree. By simultaneously removing waterborne minerals that damage and discolor hair and depositing strengthening proteins and much-needed moisture, the formula takes a two-pronged approach to remedy the issue.

It's also a favorite of hairstylist and salon educator Shelly Aguirre, who says it works especially well for those who have chlorine buildup. While we didn't experience any issues while testing it, some reviewers have said it left a yellowish stain on their very light hair. The jury's out on whether the shampoo or the hard water itself was to blame, but it's something to keep in mind. In the end, we appreciated how the gentle, sulfate-free formula got the job done.

Best Budget

GIRL+HAIR ACV Clarifying Rinse

What We Like

• Removes buildup from hair and scalp
• Doesn't dry or strip hair
• Natural, plant-based ingredients

What to Consider

• Small bottle

Hair Type: Dry, damaged, color-treated, relaxed | Scent: Apple | Size: 10.1 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When it comes to natural ingredients that can make a big impact on your hair, apple cider vinegar (aka ACV) reigns supreme. Sure, you could go the DIY route and create your own vinegar rinse, but this effective, wallet-friendly option is much more convenient. Clear+ Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse removes all kinds of buildup from your hair and scalp without drying out or stripping your strands. Use it in place of your regular shampoo a few times a week. The bottle is somewhat small, but it should last a while since you don't need to use it daily.

Best Splurge

Oribe Clarifying Shampoo

What We Like

• Luxurious mousse-like texture
• Targets product buildup and mineral deposits
• Good for oily roots and dandruff

What to Consider

• Scent may be too intense for some
• Small amount

Hair Type: Oily, dandruff-prone | Scent: Oribe Cote d'Azur | Size: 7.1 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you're open to spending more on a high-end formula, you can't go wrong with Oribe. With a whipped, mousse-like texture and a sophisticated aroma, this feels more like a fancy spa shampoo than a heavy-hitting hair purifier. This shampoo works well on clarifying oily roots, exfoliating the scalp, preventing dandruff, and getting rid of mineral deposits from hard water. It contains volcanic ash, which Aguirre says "polishes away dirt, oil, and product buildup." The brand's signature Cote d'Azur scent is a little intense for some people, but others rave about it.

Best Purifying

Ion Purifying Solutions Hard Water Shampoo

What We Like

• Removes and prevents mineral buildup
• Leaves hair shiny and hydrated
• Noticeable results after one use

What to Consider

• Doesn't have much of a scent

Hair Type: All | Scent: Very mild | Size: 10.5–33.8 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The name says it all. Ion Purify Hard Water Shampoo not only helps remove minerals from hard water but also prevents them from building up in the first place. We love that it adds shine and moisture to dry, dull hair too. The formula is safe for color-treated hair and even gentle enough to use daily—not always the case for clarifying formulas. Happy reviewers also appreciate how much lighter and better their hair felt after just one use. It doesn't have much of a scent, which could be a pro or a con, depending on your preference.

Best for Color-Treated Hair

Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo

What We Like

• Won't dull dyed hair
• Removes product and mineral buildup
• Hard water test strip included

What to Consider

• Can be slightly drying

Hair Type: Color-treated, chemically treated | Scent: Mint | Size: 8–24 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Generally speaking, any chelating or clarifying shampoo has the potential to strip color. This pick is not only color-safe—it goes above and beyond to remove buildup from products, pollution, and hard water to keep your hue extra vibrant. We like that Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo safeguards chemically treated strands and gently cleanses without leeching crucial moisture. Also cool: It comes with a hard water test strip, so you can see if your water is, in fact, hard.

Best Detoxifying

Ouai Detox Shampoo

What We Like

• Chelating agents target mineral deposits
• Strengthens and softens hair
• Luxurious foamy lather

What to Consider

• Potent fragrance
• Not for daily use

Hair Type: All | Scent: Ouai Melrose Place | Size: 3–32 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This option feels completely spa-like, but we promise it doesn't mess around. Ouai Detox Shampoo contains chelating and clarifying agents to tackle mineral deposits, product buildup, dirt, oil, and dandruff flakes. It leans on apple cider vinegar to dissolve the gunk and hydrolyzed keratin to strengthen and soften strands.23 We love how it lathers into a light, luxurious foam and rinses totally clean. Just a heads up, the no-nonsense formula is so effective at eliminating impurities that you only need to use it once or twice a week.

Best for Curly Hair

Pattern Beauty Cleansing Shampoo

What We Like

• Leaves curls silky and bouncy
• Hydrates and softens
• Removes buildup without stripping

What to Consider

• May leave behind residue

Hair Type: Curly, coily, textured | Scent: Green tea | Size: 7.8 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

As any curly-headed person will tell you, coily, kinky, and textured hair calls for a different product protocol than straight hair—even when washing. Many clarifying shampoos are notoriously drying, which is an issue for curls, which can be inherently dry. But this formula removes buildup without stripping and uses matcha green tea, aloe vera, and panthenol (aka provitamin B5) to leave curls hydrated, soft, smooth, and silky.45 On account of the generous dose of nourishing ingredients, some might notice a filmy residue after rinsing. In that case, you may want to rinse again or follow with a regular shampoo.

Best Pre-Shampoo

Color Wow Dream Filter Pre-Shampoo Mineral Remover

What We Like

• Very effective at extracting minerals
• Removes hard water stains
• Gentle enough for daily use

What to Consider

• Adds extra step in haircare routine

Hair Type: All | Scent: Fragrance-free | Size: 1.7–6.7 oz | Sulfate-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

While this technically isn't a shampoo, it earns a spot on our list thanks to how well it works. Although it adds an extra step to your haircare routine, it's super easy to use—and you don't need to use it every day but can if you want since it's so gentle. Just spray Color Wow Dream Filter all over your hair, leave it on for a minute or two, then lather up with shampoo as normal.

Best Micellar

Kristin Ess Scalp Purifying Micellar Shampoo

What We Like

• Draws minerals out from hair
• Pointed tip for easy application
• Lathers nicely

What to Consider

• Not very hydrating

Hair Type: All | Scent: Fresh | Size: 10 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Micellar water is all the rage in skincare, but micelles (small molecules that act like magnets) are actually great at removing minerals from hair too. They attach to impurities left behind from hard water, pollution, and hair products so they can wash down the drain.6 We like how the pointed tip makes it easy to deposit the shampoo directly onto your scalp. It lathers beautifully but isn't the most hydrating formula we tried, so you're wise to follow with a creamy conditioner.

Best Balancing

Briogeo Superfoods Balancing Shampoo

What We Like

• Moisturizes dry, brittle hair
• Gentle scalp exfoliation
• Controls oil production

What to Consider

• Scent too strong for some

Hair Type: All | Scent: Fruity | Size: 12.5 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This juice-inspired, superfood-packed formula from Briogeo is chock-full of vitamins and minerals, plus actual fruit juice and mango butter to add moisture to stressed, brittle hair. It also contains papaya enzyme, a gentle exfoliator that can target scalp buildup and balance oil production.7 You can expect your hair to look and feel not only squeaky-clean but also strong and healthy. While we like the smoothie-inspired scent, it could be too strong for some.

Best Rinse

dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

What We Like

• Cleanses without stripping
• Exfoliates and unclogs hair follicles
• Pulls out minerals and other impurities

What to Consider

• Potentially not as effective on thick hair

Hair Type: All | Scent: Fruity | Size: 2–20 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

ACV Hair Rinse is a substitute for shampoo, ideally for those with fine hair. Aside from gently cleansing (without stripping color and essential natural oils), you can count on it to exfoliate your scalp, unclog hair follicles, and pull out impurities—including minerals from hard water. You only need to use this product about once a week, but it's so easy on your hair that you could reach for it more often if needed. Plus, the argan oil, aloe vera, and plant proteins help strengthen and hydrate.8

Best Chelating

L'Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Shampoo

What We Like

• Patented molecule penetrates hair fibers
• Targets metal particles
• Helps color last longer

What to Consider

• Might be drying with daily use

Hair Type: All | Scent: Citrus | Size: 10.1–16.9 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

As DeBolt notes, chelating formulas specifically target minerals left behind from hard water. L'Oréal's Metal Detox Shampoo boasts a patented molecule called Glicoamine that penetrates hair fibers and attaches to metal particles, including iron, copper, and manganese, allowing them to rinse away. This shampoo also promises to prevent breakage and help salon color treatments last longer. Like other purifying hair washes, it might be a bit drying if you use it daily. But you can use it as little as once a week and still see results.

Best for Calcium Buildup

Kérastase Bain Décalcifiant Repairing Shampoo

 

What We Like

• Eliminates mineral deposits
• Remedies stiff, filmy hair
• Strengthens and repairs

What to Consider

• Slightly drying

Hair Type: Damaged, color-treated | Scent: Citrus-floral | Size: 8.5 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

Not all hard water is the same. If yours is particularly heavy on calcium, Kérastase Bain Décalcifiant is your new best friend. After trying this shampoo firsthand, we can tell you it does what it claims to—effortlessly getting rid of mineral buildup and addressing stiffness and that filmy feel you can get from hard water. Beyond getting rid of mineral deposits, the amino acid blend helps strengthen hair and repair breakage.8 We don't recommend lathering up with it every day because it can be somewhat drying. But absolutely add it to your routine once or twice a week.

What to Look for in a Shampoo for Hard Water

• Chelating vs. Clarifying: Hard water shampoos can be formulated to purify or chelate. Both can be effective at removing buildup, clearing up the scalp, and breaking down residues, but as DeBolt explains, chelating formulas specifically target and draw away minerals. He adds that purifying options can be more powerful, thanks to stronger detergents, but they may also strip hair if used daily.
• Mineral-Targeting Ingredients: DeBolt says the best shampoos for hard water will target minerals, such as copper, calcium, chlorine, iron, magnesium, and manganese. Ingredients that do this include vitamin C, apple cider vinegar, and micellar water. Some brands have patented molecules with multiple ingredients to battle mineral deposits.
• Gentle Formula: DeBolt strongly recommends getting a gentle formula. Even when removing minerals and buildup from your hair and scalp, you don't want to strip them entirely of their natural oils. This can actually lead to increased sebum production and result in an oily scalp. If the shampoo seems to have a drying effect, try using it just once or twice a week.

FAQ

What shampoo is best for hard water?

The best shampoo for hard water will be a chelating formula that targets mineral buildup and metal particles. Many brands achieve this with ingredients such as micellar water, vitamin C, apple cider vinegar, citric acid, salicylic acid, and EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid).639

How often should you use shampoo for hard water?

According to DeBolt, you should use shampoos for hard water as often as you wash your hair—or at least every other wash—for them to be effective. That said, some are meant to be used only one to three times a week. If clarifying and chelating shampoos are too stripping for your hair, be sure to follow with a conditioner or another moisturizing treatment.

How can you protect hair from hard water?

There are a number of things you can do to protect your hair from hard water, from installing a water softener and replacing your shower head to trying a new shampoo or hair rinse. If you're taking the latter route, any chelating or clarifying formula should do the trick to remove mineral buildup and any stains from water deposits.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of today's biggest publications. Theresa Holland and Esme Benjamin updated this story with current information, new insights, and additional products.

Meet the Experts:

Mark DeBolt is a celebrity colorist and the co-founder of Mark Ryan Salon.

Shelly Aguirre is a professional stylist and extensions specialist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.