Yeah, I have much shorter hair than you do, and possibly finer, I think? So I suspect that helps with it.

The idea is that eventually the baking soda and vinegar will be set aside in favour of only water. No idea if it'll work, or maybe I'll have to stick with baking soda and vinegar once a week, or if after a few weeks I'll just decide "fuck it" and go back to shampoo. Time will tell. :)

The website I found did stress the important of cleaning one's hairbrush. Your experience seems to corroborate that. Luckily I've always been a bit obsessive about cleaning my hairbrushes all my life (my mother instilled that in me).

I will keep the tip about oil in mind for when my hair gets longer, in case I need it.

Thanks!