I've heard baking soda can be used for clarifying. Is this right? How would one go about doing this? I am so dense when it comes to natural hair care. Thanks. :)

Ooh, I was also wondering about olive oil...I really cannot stand the smell of Extra Virgin. I actually start getting sick to my stomach. I was looking at something that just said 100% olive oil, would there be any benefits to using that instead?

Hello.  To address your first question, I have a recipe from Lorraine Massey's "Curly Girl" book.

Take 1 Tablespoon baking soda and 1 cup warm water.
Combine in a spray bottle and shake.  Wet, condition and blot dry hair.  Spray with mix and allow it to sit on the hair for a minute and then rinse with cool water.  Towel dry and style as usual.
The book also says that baking soda will remove heavy product buildup.

Addressing question #2, my hair LOVES olive oil and 100% pure olive oil works just fine.  You do not need extra virgin for hair.  Salad dressings, yes or to dip bread in, yes for hair, no.  I think the main benefit (besides you not feeling pukey) is it's probably cheaper than EV.  ;D

whatever you do with baking soda, always rinse with vinegar to restore the pH. i mix it with honey and conditioner to wash my scalp with now and then. i use quite a lot cuze it doesn't spread easily and it will only degrease those parts it was in contact with. i use about three tbsp and add honey and conditioner until i get a runny paste. i apply that above the sink strand per strand.