An ACV rinse is a natural way to deeply cleanse your dreadlocks and scalp. It helps loosen buildup from shampoos, oils, or styling products, restores your scalp's pH balance, and leaves your dreads feeling fresh and airy. Perfect as a maintenance ritual between deep cleanses—but use with care.
What do you need?
- Apple cider vinegar (preferably raw, unfiltered and with “the mother”)
- Water
- Spray bottle
- Towel (Optional)
- essential oil such as tea tree or lavender
This is how you make the rinse
Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 4 parts water in the spray bottle.
Do you have a sensitive scalp? Use a little more water (1:5 or 1:6 ratio). You can add a few drops of essential oil for a milder scent and extra care.
How to use it
- First wash your hair with a residue-free shampoo so that loose dirt is already removed.
- Shake the spray bottle well and spray the diluted ACV solution over your scalp and dreadlocks until everything is well saturated.
- Leave it on for 3–5 minutes and gently massage your scalp.
- Rinse well with lukewarm or cool water until the odor has largely disappeared.
- Squeeze the water out of your dreads and let them air dry completely (or with a hairdryer on a low setting).
How often?
Don't use an ACV rinse too often — about 4 times a year is usually enough.
It is especially nice after a period with a lot of styling products or when you notice that your dreads feel a bit heavy or dull.
✧ Important
- Don't use pure apple cider vinegar directly on your scalp (it's too acidic).
- Always test the rinse on a small area of scalp first.
