Washing dreadlocks that are thicker should take more time. The thickness can cause the debris and perspiration to go deep into the dreadlock. However the same is true for the drying time. You must allow your dreadlocks to dry thoroughly to avoid dry rot in your dreads.
Regular dreadlock washes do not remove wax from your hair. Washing dreadlocks with wax seem impossible. Click the picture on the left for wax removal.
Shampooing with a clarifying shampoo will help remove oils that get trapped in the hair and antiseptic such as Listerine or Seabreeze can freshen hair and stop odors. Many that don't use shampoos will wash their dreadlocks with baking soda and apple cider or white vinegar.
This type of cleansing will remove impurities deep in your hair and will allow your dreads to shine more brilliantly.
Baking Soda &Apple Cidar Vinegar Dreadlock Wash
- Large pitcher of warm water.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- *White Vinegar for heavily soiled hair
- Arm & Hammer baking soda
- 8-10 drops of tea tree oil (kills bacteria,dandruff)
- 20 drops of lavender oil (kills mold)
- 20 drops of rosemary oil ( controls dandruff)
- Pour baking soda into 1/2 filled pitcher of water and remove clumps with your hand.
- Put drops of exotic oils into pitcher.
- Put in remainder water and stir.
- Pour over your head and relax for upto 15-30 minutes.
- Pour gallon water with 1/3 to 1cup of vinegar plus 30 drops of lavender over your dreads and let stand for 3-5 minutes.
- Rinse well.
- Wrap your hair in two thick towels if you have long dreads.
After you have waited the alloted time. Pour water,vinegar and 30 drops of lavender oil over your hair. Wait 5 minutes then rinse well.
I also want to share that you should only use the white vinegar but once a month. You don't want to use the vinegar too often because it can become drying. Some people only use a baking soda wash but with the added vinegar rinse your hair will be virtually residue free. Enjoy!
