Dreadlocks Baking Soda Deep Clean

Dreadlocks Baking Soda Deep Clean

I have already posted a tutorial about how to deep clean dreadlocks (baking soda and apple cider vinegar basic version) but it turns out that it is not the best idea to mix them both in the same bowl or bucket or sink or whatever you are using to soak your dreads in. To get the best benifits of both ingredients, it is recommanded to apply them separately on your dreadlocks.

Watch this youtube tutorial about how to deep clean dreadlocks with Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar:

First deep cleanse of your baby dreads:
basically your baby dreads will not need deep cleaning for a while, washing would be enough, because you still don't have any build up yet. But at some point you will notice that washing is not enough, you will also notice that your dreads are getting easily kind of stiff some time after shower. Just keep an eye on your dreads and with time you will know when they need a deep cleaning.

How often to deep clean dreadlocks?
Same as above, keep an eye on your dreads and you will know how often should you do it, because it different from one person to another, for example very tight dreads will need deep cleaning more often then loose ones because build up does not go away with washing, dreadheads living in windy or hot areas tend to have more build up in their dreads.. Also it depends on the shampoo you use, and many other stuff.
Ideally a deep cleanse between once a month and once every two months would be perfect

How to deep clean dreadlocks?
What most (if not all) dreadheads use to deep clean dreads is the Baking Soda soak. (Baking Soda is also called bicarbonate of soda), it is famous for its cleaning benefits and also available and cheap.
The most basic dreadlocks deep clean recipe:

• Bowl / Sink / Bucket...: Anything that could help you soak your dreads for about 30 minutes. Make sure all your hair will sink in water, and try to find a comfortable position.
• 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 table spoons to the warm water, How much to add depends on how much water you are using.. just don't use to much until it builds up in the bottom.
• Stir 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

Now it is time for he apple cider vinegar:
Please note that you need Apple cider vinegar after baking soda because it will balance the PH of your hair:

• You can either resink your dreads in a bowl filled with apple cider vinegar and water
• Or you can use a spray bottle and spray apple cider vinegar all over your dreads.
• Rinse your dreads very well again.
• Proceed to washing your hair with shampoo like you usually do.

You will notice that your dreads are lighter and cleaner than usual.
* You may also check these posts:
How to wash your dreadlocks
How to dry your dreadlocks

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How to Deep Clean Dreadlocks - Baking Soda ACV Soak

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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How to wash Dreadlocks

How to wash Dreadlocks

Washing dreadlocks is the number one dreads related issue that many people are confused about. Many think that in order to have dreadlocks you should stop washing your hair, while it is actually the other way around, if you want to have healthy clean dreadlocks you must wash them on a regular basis. Clean dreadlocks mature fast while dirty hair is gross and makes your scalp itchy.

I have posted last year a whole article about the top 10 myths and facts about dreadlocks.



How long until I give my new dreads a first wash?
you do not have to wait at all, but it does help if you wait a little bit and allow your hair and scalp to get used to the new thing.
how much time you should wait depends on few factors: 
* Your hair type
* How often do you usually wash your hair
* The method you used to make dreadlocks
so no one can tell you when to wash your young dreads except yourself, I suggest that you wait until your scalp starts to get itchy, the itchyest you wan handle.

How often should I wash my dreadlocks?
Same thing we said before, only YOU can decide, you can keep the same routine as you used to do before dreads or you can change it if you want, our bodies do adapt to anything new, so your scalp will get used to the new washing routine and will produce oils just as needed. So any washing routine would work just fine as long as it's not everyday that's not good,
you can obviously shower your body without washing your dreadlocks.

Shampoo and soap
there are many shampoos and soaps available. But what works well for one may not work well for the other, that's why it's better if you read reviews, ask your dreadhead friends try many types of shampoos and soaps and see which one works best for you. As long as it's residue free. you can even make your own soap if you want.

My personal dreadlocks washing routine:
you may do just as I do or you can do your own, the keys are: residue free shampoo, good rinsing and good drying.

• I first get my hair wet and give my scalp a gentle massage
• Then I put some of my shampoo on my palms and rub it all over my scalp (I don't use it on my dreads because that will happen later, also if your dreads are new be gentle with the rubbing)
• I get under the shower, the shampoo become bubbly and I rub it all over my scalp and dreads very well (massage carefully if your dreads are new)
• once I feel that I shampooed all my hair I proceed to rinsing
• I set the shower to the strongest mode and let water run through my dreads ( the more you stay under water the better)
• I squeeze my dreads to get new clean water runing through them again
• I repeat the rinsing and squeezing until I feel it's enough
• I turn off the shower and start squeezing my dreads to get all the water out
• Once I feel that I can't get any more water out and my dreads stopped dripping I proceed to drying.

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