How to Dry Dreadlocks Properly (and Keep Them Dry Between Washes)

If there's one part of a dread routine you can't cut corners on, this is it. Your dreads need to be completely dry before bed. Damp dreads pressed into a pillow overnight is where the musty smell starts, where friction creates frizz, and where, on a bad day, mildew quietly sets in.

In this guide:

• Why drying properly matters

• How to dry dreadlocks faster after washing (the two tools we swear by)

• Tips for keeping your dreads dry between washes

• When to use dry shampoo on locs

• The shower cap that keeps clean dreads dry

Dreads hold water deep in their cores. Even when the outside feels dry, the inside can stay damp for hours. Putting still-damp dreads to bed, into a beanie, or tied up in a bun is how that musty smell sets in and refuses to leave.

The science is simple: trapped moisture, low airflow, and warmth equals the perfect environment for mildew and bacteria. Your locs aren't doing anything wrong. They just need a routine that gets the water out before any of that has a chance to start.

How to dry dreadlocks faster after washing

If you haven't got all day to air-dry, two products cut the time roughly in half. Used together, you can take dreads from soaking to bone-dry in under an hour, even on thick or long locs.

1. A quick-drying dreadlock towel

A bamboo or microfibre towel built for dreads draws out the bulk of the water in the first 10 minutes. The good ones absorb up to five times their weight in water, which is the difference between a 5-minute wrap and a 30-minute one.

Look for a large towel that wraps comfortably around long or thick locs, with a soft texture (cotton terry catches on frizzy ends and pulls). We use the Raw Roots Large Bamboo Dreadlock Towel because the bamboo fibres absorb fast and the elastic loop at the back tucks the end in so it doesn't unravel as you walk around.

"It's very absorbent and long for lots of dreads, and the elastic at the back to tuck the end in is genius." - Lee

2. A hair dryer bonnet

For getting through to the deep dampness that towels can't reach, an inflatable drying bonnet turns your existing hairdryer into a gentle, hands-free drying hood. The bonnet shape fits over long or thick dreads and channels warm airflow through the cores rather than just blasting the outside.

The win here is even drying. You can sit, read, scroll, and let it work for 20-30 minutes. Compared to standing in front of a regular hairdryer (which mostly dries the surface and gives up), the bonnet gets to the middle of the loc where the water actually hides.

We use the Hair Dryer Bonnet  and pair it with whichever hairdryer you already own.

"This is the most perfect design of bonnets to dry your hair. I have really long dreads past my waist, this holds all my hair without crowding it. It dries evenly, which is important because you don't want to sit there for over an hour to have some drier than the others and have to go back in." -  Rosemarie

You can browse our full dreadlock drying range  for the bonnet, towels and accessories together.

When to use Dry Shampoo on Dreadlocks

 A Dry Shampoo for dreadlocks is perfect to use in-between regular hair washing. It works by absorbing excess oil from your hair and scalp without the need for water. The first thing to know: not all dry shampoos work for dreadlocks.

Regular dry shampoos use cornstarch, talc and propellants that absorb oil but leave residue behind. On loose hair you can brush it out. On dreadlocks, that residue gets trapped inside the lock and builds up over time, the exact problem dread care is meant to prevent.

For dreads, you need a dry shampoo that's residue-free and powder-based (not aerosol). The powder absorbs oil at the roots, brushes out cleanly, and won't add to the buildup you're already working to avoid.

We use Raw Roots Dry Shampoo & Locking Powder because it's a true residue-free formula that doubles as a tightening powder. Sprinkle at the roots, work it in with your fingers, brush out the excess with a soft brush. Refreshes between washes, manages stray hairs, and helps lock new growth at the same time.

Use a Cleansing Spray "Save Time and Stay Dry!"

Experience cleanliness without the hassle of washing with water! Cleanse and remove excess oil from the scalp to extend time between regular washing.

Spray directly onto scalp between dreadlocks. Allow a few minutes to penetrate. Use a damp cloth to remove excess product, oil, and buildup. An exfoliating towel can be used for scalp buildup.

One more thing... the shower cap shortcut

For the days you want to shower without wetting your clean dreads at all, the large satin-lined shower cap is the go-to tool. Fits long or thick locs, no scrunching, no soaking. Worth keeping on the hook in your bathroom.

FAQ

How long do dreadlocks take to dry? Air-drying alone can take 4-12 hours for thick or long locs. Using a bamboo dreadlock towel followed by a hair dryer bonnet cuts that to 45-60 minutes. The key is getting through to the dampness in the middle of the loc, not just the surface.

Why do my dreads smell musty after washing? The most common cause is going to bed or putting on a beanie before they're fully dry. Moisture trapped inside the lock with no airflow creates the musty smell. Dry properly first, every time.

Can I use a regular hair dryer on dreadlocks? Yes, but it only dries the surface and takes a long time. A hair dryer bonnet works much better because it channels warm air through the cores of the locs.

Can you use dry shampoo on locs? Yes. Choose a powder formula which is residue free (not aerosol) and apply at the roots. A little goes a long way.

Is it bad to sleep with wet dreadlocks? Yes. Sleeping with damp dreads traps moisture against your pillow with no airflow, which causes musty smell, frizz, and (on bad days) mildew. Always dry fully before bed.