How to Wash African Rope Braids

The African rope braid is a hairstyle that has existed since ancient times, which is very popular in Africa and the Caribbean. To make this hairstyle, people divide the hair into sections and tie them into braids like long ropes. The rope hairstyle is often wrongly known as dirty and sloppy, but it is actually quite easy to clean, as long as you take the time to wash and care for it regularly. You can wash it with a conditioner specially formulated for braided hair, homemade mild blends, or regular shampoo.

Table of Contents

Wash with shampoo

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Wet the braids. Start by sprinkling light water on the braids under the shower. You don’t have to saturate your hair, because the more water the braids soak up, the harder it will be for the shampoo to penetrate. For best results, use warm (not too hot) water.

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Rub the shampoo little by little. Squeeze a small amount of shampoo into the palm of your hand. It’s easier to shampoo little by little, as you can control how much shampoo gets into the braids – you can add more if needed. If using a cake shampoo, rub it into your hands first to lather up. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Always use a shampoo that leaves no residue of any kind. You shouldn’t condition your braided hair with gels, waxes, and other additives, and shampoos with residue will only cause more residue to build up instead of washing it off.
Look for natural, organic shampoos that are free of softening and styling chemicals.

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Rub shampoo into scalp to lather up. Apply both hands to the scalp and massage the shampoo into the gaps between the braids. Scrub your scalp thoroughly with your fingertips to remove dead skin and remove sebum. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Don’t forget to clean and take care of the roots. The roots are where the braids attach to the scalp, so they need to be strong and strong.

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Let the shampoo run through the braids. Leave the shampoo on your head for 1-2 minutes, then lower your head to let the soapy lather run through the braids. Gently massage the shampoo into the hair. Make sure there’s no leftover shampoo when you’re done washing. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

If you want, you can dab a little more shampoo into each braid. Do not use too much shampoo, or you will have to spend more time rinsing and making your hair frizzy.

Wash with water, baking soda, vinegar

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DO NOT mix baking soda with vinegar. Baking soda is an alkali, and vinegar is an acid, so when these two ingredients are mixed together, they will create a chemical reaction that will significantly invalidate both of them.

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Dissolve ¾ cup of baking soda with about 10 cm of warm water in a basin or sink. This solution is completely harmless to the hair and scalp.

If you prefer to use essential oils, you can add essential oils to the solution at this step. A spoonful of lemon juice will help deodorize and prevent fungus.
You should only use this method to wash your braids every 2 weeks, as baking soda can make your hair gradually dry and brittle. To wash more often, you should use a shampoo that leaves no residue.

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Soak the braids for 5-10 minutes. Dip your hair in the baking soda solution all the way to the roots. Soak the braids for 10 minutes or so if you need a deep clean. Once the hair is soaked with the solution, the baking soda in it will clean away dirt, oil and other residues that have accumulated in the hair. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

If you don’t have time or space to soak your braids, you can make a solution and pour it straight over your head for a quick clean. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

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Rinse off with cool water. Remove the hair from the baking soda solution and squeeze out the excess water. Turn on the faucet or shower to flush out any residue in the baking soda solution or impurities. Rinse the braids until the water is clear. Remember to let the water run directly onto the scalp. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Sand, oil or dead skin and other debris can be seen through the watercolor. You might be surprised at how clean your braids are!

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Have a bottle of a solution of 3 parts water to 1 part vinegar ready, enough to splash all over the scalp and down the braids. Pour this solution over the braids after rinsing out the baking soda solution. This step will help neutralize the residual baking soda, balance the pH of the scalp and smooth out the loose hairs. You can leave the vinegar solution on your hair (the vinegar smell will go away after the hair dries) or rinse it with water.

Keep your hair and scalp healthy

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Wash your braids regularly. Contrary to popular belief, rope braids need to be washed as often as other hairstyles. You should try to wash with shampoo every 3-4 days when you first braid your hair. Once the braids are in place, you can wash them once a week or more often, depending on your hair type and the amount of oil secreted from your scalp. ^{[10] X Research Source}

People with rope braids usually wash their hair at least once a week. You may need to wash your hair more often if you have particularly oily hair, exercise often, work outdoors, or get dirty or sweat a lot. ^{[11] X Research Source}
You can still shower regularly without washing your hair, but make sure you don’t get soap on the braids.

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Scalp care. The scalp bears the weight of the braids as they get heavier and stretched. In addition to taking care of the braids, it is also important to keep the scalp clean and moisturized. Every time you clean your braids, spend a few minutes massaging your scalp vigorously with your fingertips. This step will help stimulate blood circulation and strengthen the hair follicles, so you won’t have to worry about brittle or falling hair. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Itching and discomfort can be a sign that the scalp or hair roots are not healthy.
When the hair grows out, apply wax and twist the growing hair close to the scalp. ^{[13] X Research Source}

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Use essential oils to help keep the braids fresh. Use a few drops of tea tree, peppermint, or rosemary essential oils with your shampoo, or use the oils alone. Essential oils help moisturize, reduce itching on the scalp and bring a pleasant fragrance to the hair. Essential oils are more beneficial than perfumes, lotions, and other scented products because it doesn’t harm braids or leave residue. ^{[14] X Research Source}

With just a little essential oil, you can repel the “dirty hair” smell that naturally accumulates in thick braids.

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Avoid using conditioners and similar products. Conditioner has a softening and detangling effect that you probably wouldn’t want with rope braids. In general, there is no reason to use conditioner for braids. You should also be careful with any products that contain oils, waxes, or anti-tangle agents. These products, if used regularly, can damage the structure of the braid and make it more difficult to maintain. ^{[15] X Research Source}

A non-residue shampoo, aloe vera gel, and a styling sea salt spray (if desired) are all you need to keep your braids clean and beautiful. With very dry scalp or braids, a very thin layer of coconut oil will help moisturize the hair without the need for conditioner.

Advice

Contrary to popular belief, washing your hair is actually good for braids. Not only cleaning the hair, washing with shampoo also removes oil from the hair, making the braids even tighter.
Look for cleaning and styling products specifically made for rope braids.
Protect the braids by sleeping with a hat or switching to silk or satin pillowcases.
If you find it takes a long time to wash your braids, you can buy a shampoo cap. This type of cap is designed to apply shampoo to the braids for an even and easier absorption.
You can wash your braids a few times a week, but don’t wash them too often. The chemicals in the shampoo along with the rubbing action will cause the braid to loosen.
Roll the braids between your palms (use a little wax if desired) for smoother, tighter hair. Twist the braids clockwise at the roots to tighten near the scalp.

Warning

If not dried, braids can develop mold and stink.
Too much residue that accumulates on the outside and inside of the braids will be difficult to remove. You should always test hair products to make sure they leave no residue before using them.
In the past, it was thought that washing hair was bad for braids. This is very wrong. There are many reasons to wash your braids. Messy and stinky braids are inherently unattractive, moreover they are harmful to the scalp. If you don’t wash your braids regularly, you can experience itchy, burning scalp and lead to hair loss.
Mild chemical reactions can occur when vinegar is mixed with baking soda. Dilute the vinegar with water before adding the baking soda. If a reaction occurs, wait for it to settle down before using the braid shampoo.

Steps

Wash with shampoo

Wash with water, baking soda, vinegar

Keep your hair and scalp healthy

Advice

Warning

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