How to Deep Clean Dreadlocks - Basic Baking Soda Apple Cider Vinegar Soak
Every now and then, you will need to deep clean your dreadlocks. not only because regular washing is not enough to clean your dreads from the inside out, but also for the other benefits that a deep cleanse have. You will literally feel the change once you have soaked your dreads in a deep clean recipe, you will notice that your locks are a lot lighter. Remember, no matter what residue free shampoo you are using for your dreadlocks, it is never 100% residue free
Watch this tutorial video about how to deep clean dreadlocks:
When to start the first deep cleanse?
There is no need to start deep cleaning your dreads right away, because you still don't have any build up yet. At some point you will just feel that your regular washing is not enough any more and that your dreads has become kinda heavy.. I can't tell an exact time because it depends on each situation.. Just keep an eye on your dreads and go with how you feel. I did my first after almost a year (Yes I waited too long) in my second set I waited 6 months, which was perfect.
How often should I deep clean my dreadlocks?
there is no rule, again it depends on many factors, like how often you wash your hair, the shampoo you're using, the climate where you live, how magnetic are your dreads, how greasy is your scalp.. etc. So only you can decide just go with how you feel again. I do mine every month or every two months and sometimes less. There also no need to do it very often, if you wash your hair normally, a deep cleanse once a month is more than enough.
How to deep clean dreadlocks?
the most common way for dreadlocks deep cleanse is the baking soda soak.. many things can be added to the baking soda (bicarbonate of soda or just BS). The most common ingredient added is the famous Apple Cider vinegar.
This time I will only use these two ingredient (Baking soda and Apple cider vinegar) later I will make another post about the other ingredients you can add to your dreadlocks deep clean recipe:
- Bowl / Sink / Bucket...: You will need where to soak your dreads for about half an hour, so make sure you're comfortable and make sure that all your hair will sink in water
- Warm water: fill the bowl or sink or whatever you are using with hot water, as hot as you can stand but not too hot.
- Baking soda / Bicarbonate of Soda: add few tabe spoons to the warm water, there are again no rules as to how much of baking soda you must add, it depends on how much water you are using.. just don't use to much untill it starts to build up in the bottom.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: few table spoon of apple cider vinegar I used half a cup (see video) but I had a lot of water in my bowl.
- Stir the mixture very well
- Take out any beads or accessories left in your dreads
- Soak your dreads in the bowl or bucket
- Massage your scalp
- squeeze your dreads to get water out and soak them again
- Keep your dreads soaked for about 30 minutes along with squeezing and massaging
- Rinse your dreadlocks very well afterwards
You will notice how dirty the water will look even if you just washed your dreads. You will also notice how fresh and cleaner are your dreadlocks.
* You may also check these posts:
How to wash your dreadlocks
How to dry your dreadlocks
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