I think I've made it.

Since a brief vacation into New York City, where the tap water is wonderful for washing hair, I've cut corn starch and am living water-only, no-nonsense hair care. One thing I've started since, however, is blow drying. Energy inefficient, I know, but the principle that something is cleaner if it dries faster definitely applies to hair too.

A thorough brushing, some scalp massage, and good rinsing. I'm not using my boar bristle brush anymore, although it may come in handy if a sebummy build-up occurs around my roots. And a hand-held shower head with a power-mode is excellent for getting water pressure down to your scalp.