Natural Hair: Quick Wash & Go Routine For Locs

Wash day no retwist locsYour locs wash and go routine gets easier as they get more mature. Now that you’re out of the delicate stages of baby locs or the budding stage, washing your hair becomes much more enjoyable. I am past my 3 year anniversary mark of having dreads, and find it much easier to wash and maintain them.

Fun Wash Day for Locs

Washing your locs doesn’t have to be something you fear doing, especially when your dreads get longer. Now that my hair is fully locked, for years now, and it’s grown so much longer, I look forward to wash days. I don’t find myself worrying about retwisting so much like I used to in the beginning.

My Wash and Go Locs Strategy

Before washing my dreads, I like to add some Jamaican Black Castor Oil with extra virgin coconut oil to my hair, starting from my scalp.

I will then massage it thoroughly into my hair, then apply heat to it by using a cordless heat cap to help my hair cuticles open up, so that the hot oils can penetrate my locs. The cordless heat cap helps me to keep multi-tasking chores, since I don’t have time to sit in one place for long.

Dreads Wash Day Routine

I start the washing process by applying shampoo to my hair. To remove the excess oils from your hair, you should use warm water to wash. Gently scrub your scalp with the balls of your fingers to remove any grease or build up from the scalp.

The Right Way to Wash Dreadlocks

I know this might sound really simple to most of you, but there is a right and a wrong way to wash dreads. We cannot wash them the exact same way we do loose hair, whether natural or chemically treated.

Remember that each loc consists of intertwined strands of hair, so since we can’t literally touch those hidden strands, we have to use the squeeze and release technique.

Sectioning Locs on Wash Day

Dirt and buildup can get trapped in these areas, so in order to allow the shampoo to dissolve those buildup, you have to wash your locs a certain way. The best way to wash your locs is to separate your hair in sections and firmly hold a section, while squeezing and releasing the section of dreads.

This is similar to how you would wash a piece of sponge. This squeeze and release motion forces the shampoo through your locs, which helps it to attack dirt and grime.

No to Wringing Wet Locs

I know it is tempting to just wring/twist out the water from your hair, so that it can dry quicker, but if you want healthy, strong locs, please do not wring your locs. The best way to remove the water out of your hair, is to squeeze it out using the above method, rather than wringing it out.

Conditioner for Locs or Not

I love to put conditioner in my dreads after washing it. When I just started my locs journey, I was scared to put conditioner in my hair because I heard that it was not good for locs, but eventually I realize that nothing was wrong with conditioning your dreads, especially deep conditioning. This helps my hair to retain moisture, keeping it soft and beautiful.