How to Wash Your Dreadlocks Properly: Shampoo, Buildup & Care
Can you use normal shampoo on dreadlocks? What exactly is buildup? How often should you wash your dreads — and does the shampoo you choose really matter?
After years of working hands-on with dreadlocks as a professional loctician in New Zealand, these are questions I hear all the time.
So let's talk about it — simply, honestly, and without making dreadlock care more complicated than it needs to be.
Why do dreadlocks need a different kind of shampoo?
Dreadlocks have different needs from loose hair.
Many conventional shampoos and hair-care products are designed with loose hair in mind. They often contain conditioning or smoothing ingredients intended to leave the hair feeling soft, silky, shiny and easier to detangle.
But with dreadlocks, detangling isn't the goal. We want the hair and scalp to be thoroughly cleansed while allowing the dreadlocks to maintain their structure and continue to lock naturally.
Another important consideration is residue. Some hair-care ingredients can be difficult to rinse completely from dense dreadlocks. With repeated use, traces of products, oils, minerals and other substances can gradually accumulate inside the dreads.
Within the dreadlock community, we hear a lot about “buildup” — but what does buildup actually mean?
What is buildup in dreadlocks?
A dreadlock is made up of many strands of hair that have tangled and compacted together. Unlike loose hair, you can't simply run your fingers or a brush through the strands while washing and rinsing.
Because the inside of a dreadlock is dense, substances that don't rinse away easily can gradually become trapped within it.
And the tricky thing about buildup? You may not even see it at first.
Over time, buildup can come from shampoo or conditioner residue, styling products, excess oils, dead skin, sweat, lint and even minerals found in water.
As it accumulates, your dreadlocks may start to feel heavier or coated, become harder to clean thoroughly, hold onto unwanted odors, or eventually develop visible residue.
That's why choosing a shampoo for dreadlocks isn't simply about how soft or nice your hair feels immediately after washing. It's also about cleansing your scalp and dreadlocks thoroughly, while rinsing clean and avoiding unnecessary residue.
What should you look for in a dreadlock shampoo?
After all that, the answer is actually pretty simple:
Use a shampoo specifically formulated for dreadlocks.
Dreadlock shampoos are made with the needs of locked hair in mind — to cleanse the scalp and dreads effectively, rinse out thoroughly and avoid the smoothing, detangling and coating effects we don't want.
Your scalp matters too. It deals with the weight of your dreads, tension at the roots and regular maintenance, so your shampoo should leave it feeling clean, fresh and comfortable.
What about shampoo bars? Dreadlock shampoos also come in solid bars, and they can be a great option too. The same principle applies: choose one specifically made for dreadlocks and make sure you rinse it out really thoroughly. Whether you prefer a liquid shampoo or a bar is mostly down to personal preference.
That's it. You don't need to overthink it.
How often should you wash your dreadlocks?
There isn't one perfect answer.
How often you need to wash your dreadlocks really depends on you and your lifestyle.
Think about it: someone working outdoors on a farm, exposed to dust, sweat and dirt every day isn't going to have the same washing needs as someone working behind a desk in an office.
Some people need to wash their dreadlocks every week, while others can comfortably go much longer between washes.
Over time, you'll also learn to listen to your own scalp. Your body is pretty good at telling you when something needs attention. Maybe your scalp starts feeling oily, uncomfortable or less fresh — or perhaps it simply starts to itch.
Personally, I wash my own dreadlocks roughly every three weeks. I don't really need a calendar to tell me when it's time.
Your signal might be completely different. The important thing is learning to recognise what your own scalp is telling you and adapting your washing routine to your lifestyle.
And yes... washing your dreadlocks can make them look a little messy! 😅 When you're properly massaging and cleansing your scalp, loose hairs and flyaways inevitably appear.
But here's the part I really want you to remember:
Clean dreadlocks come first.
Don't put off washing just because you're worried about making your dreads fuzzy. Clean hair and a clean scalp are the foundation of beautiful dreadlocks. The flyaways can always be dealt with afterwards.
✨ Loctician tip: Wash before your maintenance
If you have a dreadlock maintenance appointment coming up, that's actually the perfect time for a really thorough wash.
Don't worry if washing brings out more loose hairs and flyaways — that's perfect timing. Your loctician can put those freshly loosened hairs back into your dreadlocks during your maintenance.
Just make sure you wash them early enough to allow plenty of drying time.
Your dreadlocks need to be 100% dry before your maintenance appointment.
How should you wash your dreadlocks?
I recommend shampooing your dreadlocks twice each time you wash them
The first wash removes the bulk of the oils, sweat and dirt that have accumulated. The second allows you to give your scalp and dreads a more thorough clean — and you'll usually notice that your shampoo lathers much better the second time around.
First wash — concentrate on your scalp
Wet your scalp and dreadlocks thoroughly.
Apply a small amount of shampoo around your scalp and use your fingertips to give it a good massage between the dreads.
Take your time and work your way around your whole scalp, including behind the ears, around the hairline and at the back of your head.
Don't worry if you don't get loads of lather on this first wash. That's completely fine.
Rinse well.
Second wash — scalp and dreads
Apply your shampoo again and massage your scalp thoroughly. This time, you should notice a lot more lather.
If your dreadlocks are mature, you can now gently massage the shampoo through the dreads themselves to give them a proper clean.
✨ Loctician tip: Be gentle with young dreads
If your dreadlocks are still young and haven't properly locked yet, leave them alone as much as possible during washing. Concentrate on cleaning your scalp rather than rubbing or manipulating the dreads.
The shampoo and water flowing through them while you wash and rinse will do the job without unnecessarily disturbing the locking process.
Healthy dreadlocks start with clean dreadlocks
Dreadlock care doesn't need to be complicated.
Use a shampoo made for dreadlocks, wash when your scalp and lifestyle tell you it's time, rinse thoroughly, and let your dreadlocks dry completely.
Don't be afraid of a little fuzz after washing. Clean dreadlocks come first. Flyaways can be tidied during maintenance, and if you palm roll your dreadlocks, a residue-free dreadlock gel can help tame loose hairs and keep things neat.
After years of working with dreadlocks, that's still one of the simplest pieces of advice I can give you.
And if you're ever unsure about something, ask your loctician. We're here to help you understand your dreads, not just maintain them. ❤️