Here is a mixed review. So I tried this method on my mom last night, expecting similar results since we have the same dry hair with no obvious curl pattern. It didn't produce the same results after 1 wash like it did with me. I could tell that she looked very disappointed since she was expecting some miracle that I was promising. This morning, she said her hair still feels hard like usual and the only difference is her twa isn't compacted against her scalp, but feels more stretched, which she likes. Keep in mind her twa is only 1 inch long. After talking with her, I found out she regularly uses a sulfate shampoo, follows-up with a silicone/protein conditioner, and seals with a thick butter, all which she did that morning before I visited her.
I told my mom to stop using her shampoo, conditioner, and butter. I'm going to try the routine again on her and use a clarifying shampoo first to see if maybe silicones and excess protein are blocking the moisture. The baking soda/conditioner may not be strong enough to remove all of that.
Positive review: I did the routine again yesterday on myself and had another consistently good outcome. I notice that my hair becomes wet more easily just with a mist of water whereas before it would take a good soaking. My strands are very smooth when I run my fingers up and down the hair shaft, which is not common for my hair. My wash and go, which looks like a big coily/curly fro and not hanging well-defined coils, has movement, blows in the wind, and falls back into place. That was a cool experience.