Best Shampoo for Dreads (2026)

Finding the best shampoo for dreads is not about finding a nice-smelling bottle at the drugstore. It is about finding a formula that cleans your scalp, rinses out completely, and leaves zero residue trapped inside your locs. I have watched too many guys spend years building beautiful locs only to deal with buildup, odor, and unraveling because they used the wrong shampoo. The difference between a loc-safe shampoo and a regular one is not marketing. It is chemistry, and getting it wrong compounds over months until you are soaking your locs in an ACV bath wondering where things went sideways.

If you need one answer: Dollylocks Liquid Dreadlock Shampoo is the best overall. Zero residue, gentle on the scalp, and made specifically for loc’d hair. Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap is the best budget pick. Read on for the full breakdown.

Our Top Picks: Quick Comparison

Why Regular Shampoo Is Bad for Locs

This is the single most important thing to understand before buying any shampoo for your dreads. Regular shampoo is designed for loose hair. Loose hair gets washed, rinsed, and every ingredient that touches it gets flushed away by water running freely down the strand. Locs are not loose hair.

A dreadlock is a dense, matted cylinder of interlocked hair strands. Anything that enters a loc, whether it is water, shampoo, or conditioner, has to work its way back out through that tightly packed structure. Ingredients that rinse cleanly from loose hair get trapped inside locs. Over time, this creates buildup that you can see and smell.

The Ingredients That Cause Problems

I remember a guy who came into my uncle’s shop in Atlanta with two-year-old locs that had a grayish film on them. He had been using a popular 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner the entire time. The silicone and conditioning agents had built up inside every single loc. His loctician had to do an extended ACV soak followed by multiple clarifying washes to even begin removing it. Two years of buildup took months to fully clear. The fix was simple: switch to a residue-free shampoo. But the damage from years of the wrong product took real time to undo.

What Makes a Shampoo Loc-Safe

Before I break down each product, here is what to look for on the label. A loc-safe shampoo should have:

• No silicones. Zero. Not even “water-soluble” silicones. The inside of a loc does not get enough water flow to dissolve them.
• No heavy conditioning agents. Your shampoo’s only job is to clean. Moisture comes from a separate product applied to the outside of your locs.
• Mild or no sulfates. Sodium cocoyl isethionate or cocamidopropyl betaine are gentle alternatives that clean without stripping.
• Minimal fragrance. Unscented or naturally scented with essential oils. Synthetic fragrance blends leave residue.
• Thin, liquid consistency. Thick, creamy shampoos are harder to rinse from inside locs. A thin liquid or a bar soap that dissolves fully is ideal.

The residue test is simple: wash a glass with the shampoo. If it leaves any film, streak, or clouding on the glass, it is leaving the same thing inside your locs.

Detailed Reviews

1. Dollylocks Liquid Dreadlock Shampoo (Best Overall)

Price: $16-20
Size: 12 oz
Key Ingredients: Coconut-derived surfactants, tea tree oil, rosemary extract, peppermint
Scent Options: Coconut Lime, Tea Tree Spearmint, Nag Champa, Unscented

Dollylocks is the gold standard in the loc community, and it earned that reputation. The formula is thin enough to penetrate locs and rinse out completely. It cleans without stripping, leaves absolutely no residue, and the tea tree and peppermint give your scalp a cooling tingle that tells you it is working. I have recommended this to dozens of guys at every loc stage, from fresh starter locs to decade-old mature locs, and the feedback is consistently positive.

Works for: Every loc stage, every hair type, every wash frequency. This is a universal pick.

Does not work for: Men on a tight budget. At $16-20 for 12 ounces, it is the most expensive option on this list. If price is a barrier, Dr. Bronner’s gives you comparable performance at half the cost per ounce.

Barber perspective: Every loctician I know in Atlanta has a bottle of Dollylocks in their kit. That tells you something. When professionals who work on locs all day choose a product with their own money, it is not because of marketing.

2. Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap (Best Budget)

Price: $12-18 (32 oz)
Key Ingredients: Saponified organic coconut, olive, hemp, and jojoba oils
Scent Options: Baby Unscented, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Lavender, and more

Dr. Bronner’s has been a loc community staple for decades, and for good reason. It is a true soap, not a detergent, made from saponified organic oils. No synthetic ingredients, no silicones, no conditioners. It rinses as clean as anything on this list. The 32-ounce bottle lasts months, making it the best cost-per-wash option available.

Important: You must dilute Dr. Bronner’s before using it on locs. The concentrated formula straight from the bottle is extremely potent and can leave a soap film if not rinsed thoroughly. Mix 1 tablespoon of soap with 8 to 10 ounces of water in an applicator bottle. This diluted version rinses out completely and gives you better scalp coverage.

Works for: Budget-conscious men, minimalists who want one product, all loc stages.

Does not work for: Men with very sensitive or eczema-prone scalps. True castile soap has a high pH (around 8-9) that can irritate reactive skin. If your scalp is sensitive, go with Dollylocks or Raw Roots instead.

Best scent for locs: Baby Unscented. Zero fragrance, zero risk of residue from essential oils. If you want a scent, Peppermint and Tea Tree are the most popular in the loc community.

3. Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo Bar (Best for Travel)

Price: $10-14
Size: 4.75 oz bar
Key Ingredients: Saponified olive oil, coconut oil, tea tree oil, rosemary
Scent: Tea tree and rosemary

Knotty Boy has been in the loc care game since 1998. Their shampoo bar is one of the original products designed specifically for dreadlocks. It lathers well, rinses clean, and the bar format means no spills in your gym bag or suitcase. One bar lasts roughly 50 to 70 washes depending on hair length and density.

Works for: Travel, gym bags, eco-conscious men who want to skip plastic bottles, all loc stages.

Does not work for: Guys who prefer a liquid formula. Bar soaps require more effort to work into locs evenly, especially longer locs where you need to get the product to the scalp. Some users in hard water areas report that bar soap leaves a slight film. If you have hard water, pair this with a monthly ACV rinse.

Tip: Rub the bar between wet hands to create a lather, then apply the lather to your scalp with your fingers. Do not rub the bar directly on your locs. Small pieces of the bar can break off and get trapped inside the loc structure.

4. Raw Roots Dreadlocks Shampoo (Best for Sensitive Scalp)

Price: $14-18
Size: 200 ml
Key Ingredients: Rhassoul clay, aloe vera, essential oils
Scent Options: Herbal (subtle), essentially unscented

Raw Roots takes a different approach by using Rhassoul clay as the primary cleansing agent instead of surfactants. Clay draws out impurities through adsorption (the oils bind to the clay particles) rather than chemical stripping. This makes it exceptionally gentle on sensitive scalps while still cleaning effectively.

Works for: Sensitive scalps, eczema-prone skin, men who react to sulfates and traditional surfactants, starter locs that need a gentle formula.

Does not work for: Heavy product users. Clay-based cleansers are gentle by design and may not fully remove heavy pomades, gels, or wax-based styling products. If you use heavy styling products on your locs (which you should avoid anyway), you will need a stronger cleanser periodically.

5. Jamaican Mango & Lime Tingle Shampoo (Best for Itchy Scalp)

Price: $6-9
Size: 8 oz
Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, peppermint, menthol
Scent: Strong menthol and tea tree

Jamaican Mango & Lime built their brand on loc care products, and the Tingle Shampoo is their most popular item. The menthol and tea tree combination creates a strong cooling sensation on the scalp that provides immediate relief from itching. It has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties that help manage the microbial balance under locs.

Works for: Itchy scalps, dandruff-prone men, hot climates where scalp sweat causes discomfort, mature locs.

Does not work for: Men with very dry or sensitive scalps. The menthol tingle that feels refreshing to most people can feel irritating on reactive skin. Also, this formula contains some sulfates (sodium laureth sulfate), so it cleans more aggressively than the gentler options on this list. If you use it weekly, follow with a moisturizing loc spray to prevent dryness.

If you deal with persistent dandruff under your locs, this shampoo is worth trying before moving to a medicated option.

6. Lion Locs Shampoo for Dreadlocks (Best Organic Option)

Price: $14-18
Size: 8 oz
Key Ingredients: Organic aloe vera, organic coconut oil, witch hazel, essential oils
Scent: Light herbal

Lion Locs markets itself as 100% organic and vegan, and the ingredient list backs that up. The formula is thin, rinses clean, and uses witch hazel as a gentle astringent for the scalp. It is a newer brand than Dollylocks or Knotty Boy but has built a strong following in the natural loc community.

Works for: Men who prioritize organic and vegan products, starter locs, light to moderate buildup.

Does not work for: Heavy buildup situations. This is a gentle daily-driver shampoo, not a deep cleanser. Pair it with a monthly clarifying wash or ACV rinse for a complete routine.

7. Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo (Best Ultra-Budget)

Price: $4-6
Size: 16 oz
Key Ingredients: Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, tea tree oil, peppermint, eucalyptus
Scent: Strong tea tree and mint

Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle is the loc community’s favorite budget hack. At under $6 for a 16-ounce bottle, it costs less per ounce than almost anything else on this list. The formula is sulfate-free (it uses sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, a gentler alternative), and it rinses reasonably clean. The tea tree and peppermint provide genuine scalp benefits.

Works for: Men on a tight budget, men who want a simple no-frills shampoo, scalps that appreciate tea tree’s antibacterial properties.

Does not work for: Strict residue-free purists. The formula contains some conditioning agents that can leave a very slight film on locs over time. This is minimal compared to regular shampoo but noticeable compared to Dollylocks or Dr. Bronner’s. If you use this as your primary shampoo, supplement with a monthly ACV rinse or a clarifying wash to keep buildup in check.

Availability note: Trader Joe’s products are only available at Trader Joe’s stores. No online ordering. If you do not have a Trader Joe’s nearby, Dr. Bronner’s is available everywhere and offers a similar cost-per-wash.

8. Neutrogena Anti-Residue Clarifying Shampoo (Best Monthly Deep Clean)

Price: $7-10
Size: 6 oz
Key Ingredients: Sodium laureth sulfate, salicylic acid derivatives
Scent: Clean, mild

Neutrogena Anti-Residue is not a loc shampoo. It is a clarifying shampoo that strips everything. I include it because every person with locs needs a deep-clean option in their rotation. This shampoo removes buildup, mineral deposits, and product residue that even loc-safe shampoos leave behind over time.

Works for: Monthly deep clean (every four to six weeks), resetting locs after using the wrong products, before an ACV rinse for maximum effectiveness.

Does not work for: Regular use. This is not an every-wash shampoo. The sulfates and stripping agents will dry out your locs and scalp if used more than once or twice a month. Always follow with a deep moisturizing treatment. Think of it as a reset button, not a daily driver.

Budget Breakdown: Good, Better, Best

Even the premium options cost less than $3 a month. This is one area of grooming where spending more does not break the budget, but spending less still gets you a quality product.

How to Wash Dreads Properly

The right shampoo is only half the equation. Technique matters just as much. I cover this in full depth in our complete guide to washing dreads, but here is the essential method.

Step 1: Pre-Rinse (2 to 3 Minutes)

Let warm water run through your locs for a full two to three minutes before applying any product. This loosens surface dirt, hydrates the interior of each loc, and opens the cuticle slightly for better cleansing. Do not rush this step. Locs need time to absorb water because of their density.

Step 2: Apply Shampoo to the Scalp

Put the shampoo directly on your scalp, not on your locs. Use your fingertips (never nails) to massage the shampoo into your scalp in small circular motions. Work from the hairline to the crown to the nape. If you are using an applicator bottle with diluted shampoo, part your locs in sections and apply directly to the exposed scalp.

Step 3: Squeeze Through the Locs

After massaging the scalp, gently squeeze each loc between your palms to work the shampoo suds through the length. Squeeze from root to tip in a milking motion. Never rub locs against each other or scrub them like loose hair. Rubbing creates surface frizz and can damage the outer layer of the loc.

Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly (3 to 5 Minutes)

This is where most people cut corners and pay for it later. Rinse until the water runs completely clear. Then rinse for another minute. Shampoo residue trapped inside locs causes itching, flaking, and contributes to the very buildup you are trying to prevent. If your locs feel slippery or soapy after rinsing, you are not done.

Step 5: Dry Completely

This is non-negotiable. Locs hold water deep inside their core. The outside can feel dry while the inside is still damp. Damp locs lead to mildew, and mildew in locs smells terrible and is extremely difficult to eliminate without cutting the affected locs off.

Drying options, ranked by effectiveness:

1. Hooded dryer: Best option. Even heat distribution, hands-free, dries locs from the outside in. 30 to 60 minutes depending on length and density.
2. Blow dryer on warm/medium: Good option. Use a diffuser attachment if available. Move constantly to avoid heat damage in one spot. 20 to 40 minutes.
3. Microfiber towel + extended air dry: Acceptable if you have time. Squeeze locs with a microfiber towel first, then air dry in a well-ventilated space. Can take 4 to 8+ hours for thick or long locs.

Never sleep with wet or damp locs. Never put a durag, headwrap, or hat over damp locs. Airflow is essential for complete drying.

The ACV Rinse: Your Monthly Deep Clean

Even the best loc shampoo leaves some microscopic residue over time, especially if you have hard water. An apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse dissolves what shampoo cannot reach and rebalances your scalp’s pH.

How to Do an ACV Rinse

1. Mix the solution: 1 part raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar (Bragg’s is the standard) to 3 parts warm water. For shoulder-length locs, you need roughly 4 cups of solution. For longer locs, make more.
2. Shampoo first: Do a regular shampoo wash to remove surface dirt before the ACV treatment.
3. Soak or pour: Pour the solution over your locs and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. For a deeper clean, fill a basin or large bowl with the solution and submerge your locs directly. The basin method works best because it allows the solution to penetrate the locs fully from all sides.
4. Watch the water: The solution will turn murky, sometimes dark brown or gray. That is the accumulated buildup being pulled out of your locs. It can be alarming the first time, but it is a good sign.
5. Rinse thoroughly: Rinse with clean, cool water for at least three to five minutes. The vinegar smell dissipates completely once dry.
6. Dry completely: Treat this the same as a regular wash. Full drying is mandatory.

ACV Rinse Frequency

• Standard: Every 4 to 6 weeks
• Hard water areas: Every 3 to 4 weeks (mineral deposits accumulate faster)
• Heavy product users: Every 3 to 4 weeks
• After using the wrong shampoo: Immediately, to remove residue before it hardens inside your locs

ACV Rinse Tips

• Always use raw, unfiltered ACV with “the mother” (the cloudy strands at the bottom). Filtered white vinegar does not have the same enzymatic cleaning properties.
• Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda to the solution for extra clarifying power. This creates a fizzing reaction that helps lift stubborn buildup. Use this enhanced version no more than once every 8 to 12 weeks because baking soda can be drying.
• If you have a sensitive scalp, start with a weaker ratio (1 part ACV to 5 parts water) and work up to the standard strength.

What About Conditioner on Dreads?

Short answer: skip it. Here is why.

Traditional conditioner works by coating the hair shaft with smoothing agents (silicones, fatty alcohols, quaternary ammonium compounds) that make individual strands slip past each other. For loose hair, this is desirable. It reduces tangles, adds shine, and makes combing easier. For locs, this is the opposite of what you want.

Locs hold their shape because the interlocked strands have friction against each other. Conditioner reduces that friction. Using conditioner on locs, especially starter locs and teenage locs, can cause:

• Loosening: Locs literally unravel because the strands no longer grip each other.
• Residue buildup: Conditioning agents are designed to stay on the hair shaft. Inside a loc, they accumulate because they cannot be rinsed away.
• Lint attraction: The smooth, coated surface of conditioned hair attracts and holds lint, dust, and fibers more than uncoated hair.

What to Use Instead for Moisture

If your locs feel dry (and most locs will at some point), use moisture products designed for the outside of locs:

• Rosewater spray: Mist locs lightly for hydration without residue. Let it dry naturally.
• Light loc oil: Jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, or Jamaican Black Castor Oil applied to the surface of locs and scalp. Use sparingly. A few drops go a long way.
• Scalp oil: Apply directly to the scalp between locs with an applicator bottle tip. Keeps the scalp moisturized without coating the loc interiors.

Avoid heavy butters (shea, cocoa) applied directly to locs. They attract lint and create buildup. If you want the benefits of shea butter, use it on your scalp only and keep it away from the locs themselves.

Matching Your Shampoo to Your Loc Stage

Your locs change over time, and your shampoo choice should reflect that. Here is what I recommend at each stage of the loc journey. If you are still deciding whether to start locs, our guide to getting dreads covers everything from choosing a starting method to first-year expectations.

Starter Locs (0 to 6 Months)

Your locs are fragile. They are not fully locked yet, and aggressive washing can unravel them. You need the gentlest option available.

• Best pick: Dollylocks Liquid Shampoo or Raw Roots
• Frequency: Every 7 to 10 days
• Technique: Scalp only. Do not manipulate the locs during washing. Let the rinse water carry the suds through.
• Avoid: Bar soaps (too easy to leave pieces behind), clarifying shampoos (too stripping), anything with conditioner

Budding Locs (6 to 12 Months)

Your locs are starting to tighten and show more defined structure. They can handle slightly more manipulation during washing but are still not fully mature.

• Best pick: Dollylocks, Dr. Bronner’s (diluted), or Lion Locs
• Frequency: Every 7 to 14 days
• Technique: Gentle squeeze method through locs. Still focus primarily on the scalp.
• Add: Monthly ACV rinse to prevent early buildup accumulation

Teenage Locs (1 to 2 Years)

Your locs are firming up but may look uneven or go through awkward phases. The internal structure is solidifying. You have more flexibility with products and technique now.

• Best pick: Any product on this list works at this stage
• Frequency: Every 7 to 14 days based on activity level
• Technique: Full squeeze method, root to tip. Locs can handle more water pressure and manipulation.
• Add: Monthly ACV rinse, occasional Neutrogena Anti-Residue clarifying wash every 6 to 8 weeks

Mature Locs (2+ Years)

Your locs are fully locked and structurally sound. They can handle stronger products and more vigorous washing without risk of unraveling.

• Best pick: Any product on this list. Personal preference and scalp condition become the deciding factors.
• Frequency: Every 7 to 14 days
• Technique: Full wash routine with thorough squeeze method. Mature locs are dense and hold more water, so rinse times and drying times increase.
• Add: ACV rinse every 4 to 6 weeks. Consider alternating between your primary shampoo and a clarifying option.

Hard Water and Your Locs

Hard water (water high in calcium, magnesium, and other minerals) is a silent loc killer. If you live in a hard water area, and roughly 85% of the United States has hard water according to the USGS, minerals deposit inside your locs every time you wash. Over months, this creates a stiff, chalky buildup that makes locs feel rough and look dull.

Signs of Hard Water Buildup

• Locs feel stiff or rough even after washing
• A white, chalky residue visible on the surface of locs
• Products do not seem to absorb; everything sits on top
• Scalp feels tight and dry after washing

Solutions

• Showerhead filter: A basic showerhead filter ($20-40) removes most minerals before the water touches your locs. This is the simplest long-term fix.
• More frequent ACV rinses: Every 3 to 4 weeks instead of 4 to 6 to counteract mineral accumulation.
• Chelating shampoo: A chelating (not just clarifying) shampoo specifically removes mineral deposits. Use once a month if you have hard water and no showerhead filter.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I have seen all of these in the barbershop and in the loc community. Save yourself the trouble.

1. Using regular shampoo “because it was on sale.” One wash will not destroy your locs, but the residue starts accumulating immediately. It is never worth it.
2. Skipping the rinse. Incomplete rinsing is the number one cause of shampoo-related buildup in locs. Rinse until the water runs clear, then rinse more.
3. Rubbing locs together. Friction between locs causes surface frizz and can matt separate locs together. Squeeze, never scrub.
4. Sleeping with damp locs. Mildew does not care that you are tired. Dry your locs completely every single time you wash them.
5. Applying conditioner inside locs. Moisturize with oils and sprays on the outside. Never put conditioner or heavy creams inside the loc structure.
6. Waxing locs for “hold.” Beeswax and loc wax are among the worst things you can put in locs. They attract lint, trap moisture, prevent locking, and are nearly impossible to fully remove. If you see a product marketing “loc wax,” walk away.
7. Not washing starter locs. The myth that new locs should not be washed for the first few months is wrong. Clean hair locs faster than dirty, oil-coated hair. Wash gently but wash regularly from the start.

Building Your Complete Loc Wash Routine

Here is what a complete loc maintenance routine looks like, combining shampoo, ACV, and moisture products.

Weekly Routine

• Wash day (every 7 to 14 days): Loc-safe shampoo, squeeze method, thorough rinse, complete dry
• Post-wash: Light loc oil on scalp and surface of locs
• Between washes: Rosewater spray as needed for light hydration

Monthly Addition

• ACV rinse (every 4 to 6 weeks): After regular shampoo, soak in ACV solution, rinse, dry completely

Quarterly Maintenance

• Deep clarifying wash: Neutrogena Anti-Residue or equivalent, followed by ACV rinse, followed by deep moisture treatment (light oil, rosewater)

This layered approach keeps your locs clean, residue-free, and moisturized at every level. The shampoo handles the regular cleaning. The ACV handles what shampoo misses. The quarterly clarifying wash resets everything.

How We Evaluated These Products

Every shampoo on this list was evaluated against five criteria specific to loc care:

1. Residue test: Does the product rinse completely clean from a glass surface? If it leaves any film on glass, it is leaving that film inside your locs.
2. Ingredient analysis: No silicones, no petroleum, no heavy conditioning agents, minimal synthetic fragrance.
3. Community reputation: What does the loc community actually use? I consulted barbers, locticians, and long-term loc wearers in Atlanta, NYC, and online loc forums.
4. Scalp health: Does the shampoo clean the scalp effectively without causing dryness, irritation, or stripping?
5. Value: Cost per wash over a year, not just sticker price. A $20 bottle that lasts six months is cheaper than a $6 bottle that lasts three weeks.

I did not include products that I could not verify as residue-free through testing or community feedback. There are many “natural” and “organic” shampoos that sound loc-friendly but contain conditioning agents or silicone derivatives that cause problems over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best shampoo for dreads?

Dollylocks Liquid Dreadlock Shampoo is the best overall shampoo for dreads. It leaves zero residue, rinses completely clean from inside locs, and does not contain sulfates, silicones, or heavy conditioning agents that can coat the hair and prevent locking. For a budget option, Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap is a close second. It is a single-ingredient cleansing formula that has been a loc community staple for decades.

Can you use regular shampoo on dreads?

No. Regular shampoos contain sulfates, silicones, conditioning agents, and fragrances that leave residue inside your locs. Because the matted structure of a dreadlock traps everything that enters it, residue from regular shampoo accumulates over weeks and months into a visible white or gray coating. This buildup can also harbor bacteria and cause odor. Always use a residue-free shampoo specifically formulated for locs or a pure castile soap.

How often should you shampoo dreads?

Most people with locs should shampoo every 7 to 14 days. Starter locs in the first six months should be washed every 7 to 10 days. Mature locs can comfortably go up to 14 days between washes. Active men who work out frequently may need to wash every 5 to 7 days. The old myth about not washing new locs is outdated and harmful. Clean hair actually locs faster because oil and product buildup prevent strands from gripping each other.

Is Dr. Bronner’s good for dreads?

Yes. Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap is one of the most trusted products in the loc community. It is a true soap made from saponified organic oils with no synthetic detergents, silicones, or conditioning agents. It rinses completely clean and leaves no residue inside locs. The unscented baby formula is the safest option. Scented versions work fine but contain essential oils that some people find too strong. Dilute it before applying because the concentrated formula is very potent straight from the bottle.

What is an ACV rinse and do dreads need it?

An ACV rinse is a deep cleansing treatment using diluted apple cider vinegar (one part ACV to three parts warm water). You soak your locs in the solution for five to ten minutes, then rinse thoroughly. The mild acidity of the vinegar dissolves mineral deposits from hard water, removes product buildup that shampoo cannot reach, and rebalances scalp pH. Most people with locs benefit from an ACV rinse every four to six weeks. The water will turn murky or dark during the soak, which is the buildup being pulled out of your locs.

Should you use conditioner on dreads?

Generally no. Traditional conditioner coats the hair shaft with smoothing agents designed to make strands slip past each other. This is the exact opposite of what you want in locs, where the strands need friction to hold together. Conditioner can loosen locs, especially starter locs, and the coating agents leave residue inside the loc structure. If your locs feel dry, use a lightweight loc oil or spray-on moisturizer applied to the outside of the locs rather than a rinse-out or leave-in conditioner.

Why do my dreads smell after washing?

Loc odor after washing is almost always caused by incomplete drying. The dense interior of a dreadlock holds water for hours or even days after the outside feels dry. Trapped moisture creates a warm, damp environment where mildew and bacteria thrive. To prevent this, always dry your locs thoroughly after washing using a hooded dryer, a blow dryer on a warm setting, or extended air drying in a well-ventilated space. Never tie up or cover damp locs, and avoid sleeping with wet locs.

Final Verdict

Here is what to remember:

• Dollylocks is the best overall. Zero residue, gentle formula, works at every loc stage. If you can afford it, this is the one.
• Dr. Bronner’s is the best budget pick. Proven by decades of loc community use. Dilute it and it performs nearly identically to products costing three times as much.
• Never use regular shampoo on locs. The silicones, conditioners, and fragrances will build up inside your locs and cause problems that take months to fix.
• Technique matters as much as product. Squeeze, never scrub. Rinse until clear. Dry completely every time.
• ACV rinse monthly. No shampoo, no matter how good, removes everything. An ACV soak every four to six weeks is the deep clean your locs need.

Your locs are a commitment. The right shampoo respects that commitment by keeping them clean without leaving anything behind. Start with one of the products above, nail your wash technique, and your locs will thank you for years.

If you are still early in your loc journey, check out our complete guide to getting dreads for starting methods, timeline expectations, and first-year maintenance. And for a deep dive into the wash process itself, our how to wash dreads guide covers every step with more detail than I could fit here.

For growing your natural 4C hair between retwist appointments, or choosing the right shampoo for your hair type outside of locs, we have you covered there too.

Last updated: February 2026