We all dread the idea of gunk in the shower. It’s an absolute nightmare to deal with. Luckily, we have plenty of home remedies for keeping our dreads clean and clear of any soap scum or shampoo build-up.
This article will discuss how to clean the gunk out of dreads, including some of my favorite remedies for keeping them fresh and clean.
Dreadlocks can get greasy and matted, which can be difficult to clean. Fortunately, we have some tips on cleaning the gunk out of dreadlocks without having to go through a regular hair-cleaning routine.
If you have Dreadlocks, then you know that they can get messy really fast. Dreadlocks are composed of hair that hangs down, so any sweat, dirt, or other gunk will get stuck in there and accumulate over time.
What Causes Gunk In Dreadlocks?
There are several causes of gunk in dreadlocks:
- Product buildup
Many products are available for maintaining dreadlocks, such as waxes, gels, and creams. These products can build up on the scalp and inside your dreads if not removed regularly. The buildup may cause itching or irritation, leading to infection if not treated properly.
- Lack of washing
Your scalp produces oils that flow through your hair shafts into your scalp follicles, where they become trapped between your dead skin cells and sebum (oil) secretions from sebaceous glands (oil glands).
The most common cause of gunk in dreads is dirt. All sorts of things can get stuck in your hair during the day, including sweat, oil, grease from food, dust, and pollution from the outside.
These things can build up inside your locks until they become visible on the outside as a waxy substance called “dread wax” (more on this later).
- Using An Electric Hairdryer
This is a big one. Drying your hair with any heat source is one of the worst things you can do. It’s bad for your hair and dreadlocks because it causes them to dry out and get frizzy.
The best way to dry your dreadlocks is by using a towel or pillowcase around them while you walk in the shower. Don’t rub them against anything hard, like tile or concrete, or they’ll get caught up on it and start unraveling.
How To Clean The Gunk Out Of dreads
If dreadlocks are your thing, you know that they can get a little… dirty. Dreadlocks are made up of individual hair strands, and they can accumulate gunk and dirt over time.
Here’s how to clean the gunk out of your dreads:
1. Get some shampoo or soap.
2. Lather up the dreadlocks with plenty of water.
3. Rinse the locks thoroughly with fresh water.
4. Use a scrub brush to remove any built-up dirt and gunk from the locks.
5. If necessary, use a conditioner to help keep the locks moisturized and detangle them as you scrub.
6. Finish off by blow-drying your locks gently if desired.
How Do You Get The Gunk Out Of Dreads?
If your dreadlocks are full of gunk, you have come to the right place. Dreadlocks can get dirty pretty quickly and if left untreated, they can become quite gross.
Dreadlocks are made up of hair, sweat, and oil, so it is not uncommon for them to accumulate gunk over time.
Here are a few tips on how to get the gunk out of dreads:
- Use a Dreadlock Detangling Spray
One of the best ways to remove stubborn gunk from dreadlocks is to use a dreadlock detangling spray. These sprays work by breaking up the knots in the hair and facilitating their removal. They also have a pleasant scent that is often enough to drive away unwanted bugs.
- Use a Brush
Another great way to remove gunk from your dreadlocks is to use a brush. Dreadlocks are made of individual hairs, so using a brush will help loosen any dirt and debris.
Simply sweep through your locks with a gentle brush once or twice daily to remove all the loose particles.
- Use Vinegar
Try using vinegar if brushing or spraying doesn’t seem to work well enough. Mix one cup of white vinegar with two cups of water in a spray bottle and spritz it onto your dreads liberally. Let the solution sit for 10 minutes before rinsing it off thoroughly with cool water. Repeat this process as needed until
What’s The Best Way To Detox Dreads?
Let’s have a look at the methods of detoxing dreads.
- Apple Cider Vinegar Dreads Detox
Old schoolers know apple cider vinegar rinse cleans and shines hair. It’s a hair-cleansing product with good properties that work well for dreadlock detox. Apple Cider Vinegar’s antibacterial and antifungal properties kill odor and mold-causing microbes in dreads.
ACV’s acidic properties kill the bacteria that cause itching, dandruff, and dry scalp flakes. It’s a deep-cleaning shampoo that dissolves dirt, oil, and product buildup. It reduces dread odor, microbes, dead skin cells, and sweat buildup.
- ACV & Baking Soda Dread Detox
Apple cider vinegar and baking soda can detox dreadlocks. Baking soda is a strong base and clarifier. Natural scalp oil, sebum, shampoo residues, and product buildup are removed with a strong base.
Chemicals trapped by the scalp’s natural oil cause stinky dreadlocks. Deep-cleaning locs won’t remove the greasy substances that trap contaminants.
ACV’s low pH helps regulate body pH. Baking soda’s high pH is harsh on hair. After baking soda treatment, a low-pH ACV rinse will keep your locs shiny and clean.
To restore your locks pH to normal, reduce baking soda’s high pH with apple cider vinegar. ACV rinse maintains your hair and scalp’s pH balance, resulting in clean, fresh-smelling locs that feel lighter.
Detox dreads are simple to perform with quite a few ingredients. Detox the dreads if you want to get rid of buildup, relax your scalp, and prepare your locs for more robust, healthier hair growth.
Conclusion
Luckily, keeping dreads clean is not too difficult, but it helps if you remember that it is a long-term commitment. Don’t expect the task to take less time than it would to wash other hairstyles.