Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse Recipe for Dreadlocks

Dreads are gorgeous—a true phenomena of natural beauty. However, as many of you know, “natural” doesn’t always mean “easy”, and even though dreadlocks are often thought of as a maintenance-free hairstyle, all dreadlocks do need to be kept clean.

Due to the porous and spongy texture of dreadlocks, an apple cider vinegar rinse is recommended about every other month or so, as a natural clarifying treatment.

The apple cider vinegar rinse is highly effective at clearing away product residue, mold spores, and dirt that may become buried within the dreadlock.

When the apple cider vinegar rinse is complete, the hair and scalp are left feeling lightweight and clean.

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse Recipe for Dreadlocks

Ingredients:

1. 1 Gallon of Purified Distilled Water, Spring Water (Alkaline) or Filtered Water

2. 2 cups Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (with or without the mother)
3. 1/2 cup of baking soda (optional)
4. Sulfate-free shampoo

Directions: 

1. Mix 2 cups of apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup of baking soda (optional), and 1 gallon of warmed water in a large basin.

2. Shampoo the hair thoroughly with a sulfate-free high-quality shampoo (Do not condition). Rinse the shampoo out of the dreadlocks completely. 

3. Soak dreadlocks thoroughly in the apple cider vinegar mixture for at least 20 minutes and rinse completely with very HOT water (be careful). Finish with a cold water rinse and DO NOT condition. 

Note: In some cases, there may be noticeable buildup in the basin when the ACV rinse is complete. If you do notice that you find a remarkable amount of buildup in the basin, you may want to consider decreasing or eliminating the  products you use in your hair or washing your locs with a high quality, sulfate-free shampoo more often. The latter is always recommended.

The vinegar smell will disappear after your hair is completely dry, and please remember that no matter what you choose to do with your hair, it must be kept clean. This goes double for dreadlocks due to their ability to hold debris, and due to the false stigma that dreads are unclean. They must be cleansed as to honor the one wearing the crown, and to ensure optimal health.