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Dreadlocks maintenance
Mold in Dreadlocks: How To Stop Your Dreads From Stinking?
Do your dreadlocks get stinky whenever they get wet? Kinda like a wet dog smell? And you want to get rid of it?
You might have mold in your dreadlocks also known as dread-rot.
You will find below tips on how to avoid your dreadlocks to smell badly and how to remove the smell and mildew effectively.
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Wash your dreadlocks regularly and effectively
We recommend you to wash your hair at least once a week with a dreadlock shampoo.
Washing your dreadlocks with water only or vinegar only is ineffective.
If you have dandruff, if you work out or if you work in a dusty environment, you might need to consider washing your dreadlocks more often.
Washing your dreads will remove the excess of sebum, sweat, dirt, residues and pollution. Some shampoos will also leave a nice smell to your dreads.
Click here to buy a natural dreadlock shampoo.
Click here to learn more about washing dreadlock maintenance.
Don’t go to bed with wet dreadlocks or let your dread air dry all day
Have you ever done a load of washing and you forgot the clothes in the machine? The morning after the clothes have a funky smell and you decide you wash them again?
Well, this is similar for dreadlocks. Your hair will start to develop mildew, also known in the community as dread-rot if they stay wet too long.
This is why we recommend washing your dreadlocks early in the morning and sit under the sun for a little while (don’t forget your sun’s protection fro your skin).
Alternatively, you can use a hairdryer and set it on medium heat.
Don’t tie your hair up when your dreadlocks are wet
Similarly to the previous point, making sure that your dreads are fully dried before tying them up will avoid them to get smelly.
You have a scalp condition
Conditions such as dandruff, psoriasis and eczema can make your scalp quite smelly. In this case, we would recommend you to consult your doctor.
Click here to learn more about dandruff on dreadlocks and itchy scalp.
Don’t use wax on your dreadlocks
Wax retains moisture inside your dreadlocks and makes it very hard for them to fully dry.
It also attracts dirt, dust and lint. It is very challenging to remove wax on dreadlocks. This is why we recommend you to not use dreadlocks on your dreadlocks.
Click here to learn more why you should avoid using wax.
How to stop your dreadlocks from stinking?
Use a deep cleansing shampoo
A deep cleansing shampoo should remove effectively any smell on your dreadlocks. If the smell is persistant, you might need to do a few rounds of shampoos to remove it permanently.
After your shampoo, don’t forget to dry your hair either by chillaxing under the sun or with your air dryer.
Our Deep Cleansing shampoo contains apple cider vinegar that will help you remove any residue and smell out of your dreadlocks.
Click here to buy a deep cleansing shampoo.
Soak your dreadlocks in baking soda
Baking soda is a very effective way to deep cleanse your dreadlocks and remove any annoying smell.
Our ACV Deep Cleansing Loc Soak will remove residue, gunk, wax and smell out of your dreadlocks.
Click here to buy the ACV Deep Cleansing Loc Soak
Do a vinegar soak
Pour some white vinegar into an inflatable basin, add some warm water and soak your dreads for 10min.
Once done, rinse your dreads with warm water, shampoo then twice with a dreadlock shampoo and dry them with the dryer. Both the vinegar and wet dog smell will be gone.
Click here to buy an inflatable basin.
Get the essential items that you need to maintain healthy & amazing looking dreadlocks.
Click below for:
The complete set to care for your dreadlocks
Learn more about how to care for your dreadlocks.
Click below for:
How to moisturize your locs everyday.
How to treat dandruff on dreadlocks.