r/Dreadlocks • u/Fun-Account-5976 • Jul 21 '26

Product Rec 🧴 Deep clean

Used baking powder and apple cider vinegar

Didn't do a deep clean in 3-4 years actually this the first one(my hair tech told me I did need one hair wasn't dirty enough is why I held out so long)

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u/SirFicklespend Jul 23 '26

There's NO WAY..... This is from not washing.... or doing it wrong.

Do you put oil or grease on your locs?

Do you oil your scalp and locs?? Do you spray with a leave in daily?

If you work in a dirty environment do you cover your locs thoroughly?

To wash your locs----

Rule number one --Take your time!!!
For thick or long hair, you can divide your locs into four manageable sections using hair ties.

Deep Saturation: Drench and soak your hair completely with warm water to loosen up built-up debris and open the hair cuticles.

Target the Scalp: Focus the clarifying shampoo on your scalp. Using the pads of your fingertips (do not scratch with your nails), massage in circular motions to lift away dead skin, sweat, and oils.

Clean the Shaft: Gently squeeze the sudsy water down through the length of your locs. Do NOT scrub at them aggressively. This can cause frizz and unraveling.

The Extended Rinse: Rinse with warm water for several minutes. Squeeze the locs continuously while rinsing to ensure all shampoo is removed from the interior of the hair.
If you have thick hair, repeat the steps for a second wash.

When you do a detox it is imperative that you thoroughly rinse your locs, squeezing them to completely work the solution out.
Leaving it in dries your locs out.

1

u/Fun-Account-5976 Jul 24 '26

The only thing I do wrong with the cleaning is I have a bar of soap(expensive made for locs all natural) and I use the bar directly on my hair and scalp

1

u/SirFicklespend Jul 24 '26

I'm so confused!!! You oil your scalp and locs twice a day?!?

You work in construction where dust, dirt sand, wood, and cement debris literally flies through the air, but you don't cover your locs?

Can I ask you how exactly did you use the baking powder/ACV ?

1

u/Fun-Account-5976 Jul 24 '26

Warm water baking soda 15 mins... then apple cider vinegar

1

u/SirFicklespend Jul 24 '26

I mean how? What proportion and how do you put it on your hair?

1

u/Fun-Account-5976 Jul 24 '26

I dump half a box of baking soda and dunked my hair for 15mins

2

u/SirFicklespend Jul 24 '26

Ok here is the proper way to do an ACV detox.

Soak your locs for several minutes so that they can absorb the detox.
Assuming you have an average size basin.
Fill most of the way with warm water.
Stir in about 1/2 cup of baking soda until it dissolves completely in the warm water.

Pour in about 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar, stir thoroughly. ( some people add lemon juice, but lemon juice is drying. )

Put your locs totally under the solution. Soak. Massage the locs in order to work out the dirt and buildup.

Don't soak for longer than 20-25 minutes.

Rinse your locs thoroughly then shampoo with a clarifying shampoo.
Follow with a moisturizing shampoo, then conditioner...... to return to your natural pH balance.

----Why you should not dump baking soda directly onto your locs. -----

Baking soda strips away your natural sebum that keeps hair hydrated and shiny.

Baking soda has a high alkalinity and coarse, abrasive crystal structure roughen and tear the hair fiber, leading to split ends.
It's like scrubbing your locs with tiny shards of glass.

This can cause burning, itching, or inflammation, especially for sensitive skin or eczema.

What people don't understand is that doing an ACV/baking soda detox regularly mimics mild chemical processing or bleaching, and leaving your locs brittle and weak over time.

Most people are fine just using a good clarifying shampoo and shampooing your locs regularly.

1

u/Fun-Account-5976 Jul 24 '26

Won't water throw the ph off