Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Wash your dreadlocks with shampoo
• Method 2 of 3: Rinse dreadlocks with water, baking soda and vinegar
• Method 3 of 3: Keep your hair and scalp healthy
• Tips
• Warnings

Dreadlocks have been around as a hairstyle for as long as humans have been around, and have become popular in African and Caribbean countries. They form when tufts stick together and felt into long, rope-like tufts. Dreadlocks are often incorrectly said to look dirty and unkempt, but in reality they are quite easy to keep clean as long as the person is willing to wash and care for them regularly. Dreadlocks can be cleaned with care products specially formulated for dreadlocks, as well as mild homemade cleansers and even regular shampoos.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Wash your dreadlocks with shampoo

1. Wet your dreadlocks. Start by running a little water over your dreadlocks in the shower. There is no need to soak them completely, because the more water your dreadlocks absorb, the less well the shampoo will absorb. For best results, use warm (not too hot) water.
2. Grab a small amount of shampoo. Squeeze a moderate amount of shampoo into the palm of your hand. It is better to use a little bit of shampoo at a time so that you can control how much soap you put on your dreadlocks. You can always use more later if you don't have enough. If using a shampoo block, rub it between your hands until a generous amount of lather is formed.
   • Always use a shampoo that does not leave any residue. Dreadlocks should be avoided with gels, waxes and other products, and a shampoo that leaves residue will only make more residue build up on your scalp instead of washing it away.
   • Look for a natural, chemical-free, organic shampoo that will help soften and style your dreadlocks.
3. Smear the shampoo into your scalp. Press both hands against your scalp and spread the shampoo over the open areas between the roots of the dreadlocks. Use your fingertips to give your scalp a good scrubbing to remove dead skin cells and excess sebum.
   • Don't forget to wash and care for your roots. This is where your dreadlocks attach to your skin, so it's important that your roots are strong and healthy.
4. Rinse the shampoo through your dreadlocks. Leave the shampoo on for 1-2 minutes. Then keep your head down so that the foam flows through your dreadlocks as you rinse. Gently squeeze the foam from the shampoo into your dreadlocks. Make sure there are no shampoo residue in your hair after washing.
   • If you wish, you can use a little extra shampoo to clean the dreadlocks separately. Don't overdo it though, or it will take more time to rinse your hair and loose hair will become frizzy.
5. Dry your hair thoroughly. After getting out of the shower, it's important to make sure your dreadlocks dry completely. Squeeze each dreadlock with a towel to push out the absorbed water. Let your dreadlocks air dry or use a hair dryer on a low setting to speed up the drying process and keep your dreadlocks from staying damp. If too much moisture is left in your dreadlocks, they can come loose and start to smell. Mold can even start to grow in it.
   • You suffer from "dread rot" when moisture remains in your dreadlocks for a long time and your hair starts to mold.
   • As your dreadlocks get older and firmer, you may need to use a hair dryer more often after washing to ensure that the hair in the dreadlocks does get dry.

Method 2 of 3: Rinse dreadlocks with water, baking soda and vinegar

1. DO NOT mix the baking soda with the vinegar. Baking soda is a base and vinegar is an acid, so mixing the two creates a chemical reaction that neutralizes the cleaning power that both substances have of their own (which is pretty much).
2. Dissolve 200 grams of baking soda in a sink or washbasin with a few inches of warm water. Baking soda is completely safe to use on your hair and scalp.
   • If you enjoy using essential oils, you can add them to the mixture at this step. A tablespoon of lemon juice will help to remove odors and prevent mold.
   • It is recommended that you only use this method every few weeks to clean your dreadlocks, as baking soda can make your hair dry and brittle over time. To wash your dreadlocks more often, use a shampoo that does not leave any residue.
3. Soak your dreadlocks in the mixture for 5-10 minutes. Immerse your dreadlocks in the baking soda and water mixture right down to the roots. Let your dreadlocks soak for up to 10 minutes, or longer if you want to clean them thoroughly. During the soaking process, the baking soda will remove all dirt, grease, dust and unwanted residue build-up.
   • If you don't have the time or space to soak your dreadlocks, you can prepare the mixture and pour it over your head to quickly clean your dreadlocks.
4. Rinse your dreadlocks with cool water. Remove your dreadlocks from the sink or the sink and squeeze out the excess mixture. Turn on the tap or take a shower and quickly rinse your dreadlocks to remove all traces of baking soda and dirt. Continue rinsing until the rinse water is clear. Make sure to let the water flow onto your scalp as well.
   • The dirt, grease, dead skin and other residues that you wash out of your hair will discolor the water. You will be amazed how much cleaner your dreadlocks feel afterwards.
5. Have a large bottle with a mixture of 3 parts water and 1 part vinegar ready, enough to pour over your scalp and lightly over your dreadlocks. Pour this over your dreadlocks after rinsing off the baking soda and water mixture. This will help neutralize the last traces of baking soda, balance the pH of your scalp and smooth frizzy, loose hair. You can leave this mixture in your hair or rinse it out. The vinegar smell disappears when your hair dries.
6. Dry your hair with a towel or let it air dry. Give your dreadlocks enough time to dry. If you are in a hurry, dry the ends and middle part of your dreadlocks with a hair dryer and let your roots air dry. Make sure your dreadlocks are dry before covering them with a cap, hat or scarf. The moisture will otherwise remain in your dreadlocks due to these objects and your dreadlocks will dry out less easily.
   • Squeeze out as much water as possible from your dreadlocks before air-drying or trying other drying methods.
   • Wrapping your dreadlocks with a dry towel can help get the water out faster.

Method 3 of 3: Keep your hair and scalp healthy

1. Wash your dreadlocks regularly. Contrary to popular belief, dreadlocks should be washed just like other hairstyles. Try shampooing and rolling up new dreadlocks every three to four days. When fully formed, you can wash them once a week or more, depending on your hair type and the amount of oil your scalp produces.
   • Most people with dreadlocks wash them at least once a week. You may benefit from washing your dreadlocks more often if you have fairly oily hair, exercise, work outdoors, get dirty or sweat a lot.
   • You can still take a regular shower or bath in between washes without shampooing your dreadlocks.
2. Take care of your scalp. Dreadlocks are quite tough on your scalp because they get heavier and pull on your scalp. It is important that you not only wash and moisturize your dreadlocks, but also your scalp. When you wash your dreadlocks, take a moment to vigorously massage your scalp with your fingertips. This ensures good blood circulation and will make the hair follicles stronger, which means you don't have to worry about your dreadlocks getting brittle and your hair falling out.
   • If you experience itching and discomfort, it could indicate that your scalp and hair roots are in a bad condition.
   • As your hair grows, keep waxing and twisting your dreadlocks to felt the new hair growth close to the scalp.
3. Refresh your dreadlocks with essential oils. Use a few drops of tea tree oil, peppermint oil or rosemary oil with your shampoo, or treat your dreadlocks separately. Essential oils moisturize your hair and scalp, reduce itching and irritation to the scalp, and leave your hair smelling good. You can use them much better than perfumes, fragrance sprays and shampoos with fragrance, as they will not damage your dreadlocks or leave a residue.
   • With a little bit of essential oil, you can counteract the smell of dirty hair that naturally occurs when you have thick dreadlocks.
4. Do not use conditioner and similar products. Conditioner is designed to soften and detangle your hair, which is the last thing you want when you have a head full of dreadlocks. There should generally be no reason to condition your dreadlocks. Also, be careful about using other products that contain ingredients such as oils, waxes, and tangles-free hair. Using such products regularly can damage the structure of your dreadlocks and can make it a lot more difficult to keep your dreadlocks looking good.
   • A good residue-free shampoo should be all you need to keep your dreadlocks clean and looking good. Alternatively, you can use pure aloe vera gel and a saline spray. When your scalp and dreadlocks are dry, applying a very thin layer of coconut oil will help moisturize them without softening them.

Tips

• Contrary to popular belief, it is good to wash your dreadlocks. Washing your dreadlocks with shampoo not only keeps them clean, but also removes oil from your hair, which can help with felting.
• Look for shampoos and hair styling products specifically designed for dreadlocks.
• Protect your dreadlocks by covering them with a hat or using a silk or satin pillowcase while sleeping.
• If it takes you a long time to wash your dreadlocks, consider buying a laundry cap. These are specifically designed to cover dreadlocks and lather your shampoo to make it easier to cover and pull in the hair.
• Roll your dreadlocks between your palms (use a small amount of wax if desired) to keep them smooth and help felt better. Turn the dreadlocks clockwise at the roots to felt at the scalp.
• Dreadlocks can be safely washed several times a week, but be careful not to wash them too often. The chemicals in your shampoo can cause them to come off, just like the friction from scrubbing.

Warnings

• Not letting your dreadlocks dry properly can make them mold and smell bad.
• It is virtually impossible to wash too much residue and dirt from your dreadlocks. Always check that a particular product leaves no residue for your hair before using it.
• It was once thought that washing is bad for dreadlocks. Nothing is less true. For several reasons, it is a bad idea not to wash your dreadlocks. Just the look and smell of unkempt dreadlocks can be disgusting. It is also unhealthy for your scalp. If you don't wash your dreadlocks regularly, you can experience itching and irritation, and your hair can fall out over time.
• There may be a minor chemical reaction when you mix vinegar with baking soda. Dilute the vinegar with water before adding the baking soda. If there is a reaction, wait for the fizz to stop and then use the mixture to rinse your hair.