Dreadlocks stay healthy and beautiful for longer with the right care. In this blog post, I'll walk you through how to wash, dry, and maintain your dreads step by step—plus a few extra tips you'll really appreciate.
Washing & drying
How often to wash?
In general, I recommend washing your dreadlocks once a week .
After getting your dreadlocks in, it's a good idea to wait two weeks before washing them. This gives your dreads time to settle.
How often you wash your hair is ultimately a personal choice: consider your scalp's specific needs. It's important to keep your scalp clean and healthy, and to minimize buildup.
How do you wash your dreads?
- First, wet your dreadlocks completely.
- Take a little (dreadlock) shampoo in your hands and massage it well into your scalp.
- Add a little extra shampoo if necessary.
- Work from your roots to your tips and gently massage your dreads along, so they get clean from the inside as well.
- Rinse thoroughly until you no longer see or feel any shampoo.
- Then gently squeeze out any excess water from your dreadlocks.
Palm rolling is best done after washing. Your hair is then malleable, which helps prevent bumps and lumps.
How do you dry your locs?
- After washing, squeeze extra water from your dreads with a towel (preferably a large hydrophilic or microfiber cloth).
- Then wrap the towel around your head like a turban and leave it there for about 30 minutes.
- Then air dry or use a hair dryer on a low setting.
Make sure your locks are completely dry before going to bed. This prevents unpleasant odors or even mold.
✧ Tip: After drying, run your fingers along your scalp to loosen sections and prevent clumping (matting).
A deep cleanse
In addition to your weekly washing routine, it's wise to do a deep cleanse (dreadlock detox) about twice a year . This removes deeper residues of oil, dust, and natural buildup.
You can use a ready-made detox bomb for this (for example from Raw Roots or Dollylocks), or DIY with apple cider vinegar, baking soda and essential oil.
! Important:
- Do a detox a maximum of 4 times per year.
- Don't start until your dreadlocks are no longer in the baby stage.
Extra tips
The right shampoo
- Choose a shampoo with a pH around 5.5 (most balanced for your hair and scalp).
- Use a residue-free shampoo , without silicones or oils. This prevents buildup.
The use of oil
Oil can be beneficial for a dry or sensitive scalp (e.g., tea tree oil). Oil is less effective in your dreadlocks: it mainly coats the hair. If you have very dry dreads, this can be beneficial purely for the sensation, but make sure you rinse it out thoroughly during washing! Healthy hair starts from within: drink enough water, consume healthy nutrients, and avoid drying hair products.
