How to Sleep with Dreads: Protect Your Locks Overnight

The best way to sleep with dreads is to gather them into a soft, satin-lined sleep tube or cap, so they aren't rubbing against your pillow all night. If you'd rather not wear anything, a silk pillowcase is the next best thing. Either way, make sure your dreads are fully dry before bed. It cuts down overnight frizz, keeps lint out of your dreads, and means you wake up with them where you left them.

Here is what happens when you're sleeping with dreadlocks, how to choose the right dreadlock sock or sleep cap, and a simple night-time routine.

In this article

• What happens to your dreads while you sleep?
• Should I cover my dreads at night?
• Which sleep tube or dreadlock sleep cap is right for you?
• Does a silk pillowcase help dreads?
• What's a good night-time routine for dreads?
• FAQ

What happens to your dreads while you sleep?

You spend a third of your life asleep, and your dreads spend all of that time rubbing against a pillow. Every toss and turn creates friction, and that friction is one of the quietest causes of frizz.

Bedding is also where lint and fluff get picked up. Cotton pillowcases and blankets shed tiny fibres, and the textured surface of dreads is very good at catching them. Over months, that adds up to lint you can see and can't easily get out.

Then there is the morning tangle. Dreads that have spent the night spread across a pillow can wake up twisted, flattened or heading in every direction. Gathering them into something soft overnight takes five seconds and saves you a lot of tidying later.

Should I cover my dreads at night?

Yes, if you want less frizz, less lint and an easier morning. A cover does three jobs at once:

• It reduces friction. Your dreads rest against a smooth lining instead of rubbing against your pillow.
• It keeps lint out. Your locks aren't in contact with bedding fibres all night.
• It keeps everything contained. Your dreads stay together and loose, rather than spreading out and tangling.

Which sleep tube or dreadlock sleep cap is right for you?

It mostly comes down to how long your dreads are, and whether you want something that works during the day too.

Option	Best for	Why people love it
Satin Lined Bamboo Sleep Tube	Long dreads, every night	Smooth satin lining, open at the ends so it fits even long dreads, adjustable elastic edge
Satin Lined Bamboo Beanie	Dreads shoulder length or shorter	Full coverage with a satin lining and adjustable elastic band, for sleeping or outdoors
Cotton Dreadlock Tube Sock	Night and day	One of our best-loved tubes, and it doubles as a headband during the day
Bamboo Dreadlock Tube Headband	Night and day	Soft bamboo that works as a headband by day and a sleep tube by night

Our pick for most people: the Satin Lined Bamboo Sleep Tube. The satin lining is what makes the difference overnight, and because it is open at the ends, it suits dreads of almost any length. It measures 47cm by 27cm and is slightly narrower at one end, with a soft elastic edge that adjusts to fit.

Sleep tubes and tube socks count towards our headband offer: buy any 3 headbands and get the 4th free. It is an easy way to keep one for night, one for day and a spare in the wash.

Does a silk pillowcase help dreads?

Yes. A silk pillowcase has a smooth surface, so your dreads glide over it rather than catching and rubbing. That means less friction, less frizz and less lint picked up overnight. Silk is also a natural, breathable fibre, so it stays comfortable all night.

A silk pillowcase is a great choice if you'd rather not wear anything to bed, and it's gentle on the hair around your hairline too. Our Mulberry Silk Pillowcase comes in a standard Australian pillowcase size.

What's a good night-time routine for dreads?

It takes less than a minute.

1. Make sure your dreads are dry. Never go to bed with damp dreads. Lying on wet locks traps moisture inside them overnight, which is the most common cause of a musty smell. If you've washed late, our guide on how to dry dreadlocks properly will help you speed things up.
2. Take out anything uncomfortable. Remove any bulky beads or accessories you won't want to sleep on.
3. Gather your dreads together. Hold them loosely at the back of your head, without twisting or pulling them tight.
4. Slide on your sleep tube or beanie. Let your dreads sit loosely inside, with the elastic edge sitting comfortably around your head.
5. No sleep tube? Sleep on a silk pillowcase instead.

In the morning, slip the tube off, give your dreads a shake and run your fingers through them. If they want a little lift, a few sprays of a refreshing mist and you're ready to go. Our guide on how to refresh dreads between washes has more tips.

Frequently asked questions

How do you sleep with long dreads?

Gather them into an open-ended sleep tube, like the Satin Lined Bamboo Sleep Tube. The open end lets long dreads sit comfortably inside without being bunched up, and keeps them off your pillow and out from under your shoulders.

Is satin or silk better for dreads?

Both are smooth and reduce friction, so either is a good choice. Our sleep tubes and beanies are lined with satin, which is easy to care for. Our pillowcases are mulberry silk, a natural, breathable fibre that feels soft against your skin.

Can I sleep with wet dreads?

It's best not to. Dreads are dense and can stay damp in the centre for hours, and lying on them overnight slows drying even more. Damp dreads are the most common cause of a musty smell, so dry them fully before bed.

Will a sleep tube stop lint in my dreads?

It helps a lot. Most lint comes from bedding, and a sleep tube keeps your dreads out of contact with your pillow and blankets while you sleep.

What is a dreadlock sock?

A dreadlock sock, or dread sock, is a soft tube you gather your dreads into overnight, so they're not rubbing on your pillow. Our satin-lined sleep tube and cotton tube sock are both dread socks, and they double as headbands during the day.

Can I use a satin bonnet for dreads?

Yes, if your dreads are shoulder length or shorter. Our Satin Lined Bamboo Beanie works like a satin bonnet, with soft bamboo on the outside and an adjustable band. For longer dreads, an open-ended sleep tube is more comfortable.

Can I wear a sleep tube with synthetic dreads?

Yes. Our satin-lined sleep tubes and beanies are great for both synthetic and real dreadlocks.