My Microlocs Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
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In this blog post, I share my apple cider vinegar rinse recipe for clarifying microlocs.
I provide a step-by-step guide to create the ACV rinse, as well as instructions on how to soak and wash your locs, which includes braiding and banding techniques.
I also include important notes and common questions to help those with microlocs properly care for their hair.
This is the recipe that both I and my brother Carl followed immediately after installing our microlocs.
If you have flat ironed, blow dried, or put any products in your hair before your microlocs installation this post post is for you. Within 24 hours after install complete this ACV rinse to remove any products used from your detangle/blow dry and install. This ACV rinse also helps starts the locking process.
Microlocs Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse Ingredients
Below are the ingredients you’ll need to make your microloc rinse:
• A sink or basin filled with warm water
• 1/2 cup of baking soda
• 1 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
• (optional) 1-2 tablespoon of lemon juice
• (optional) About 5-7 drops of essential oil like lavender, rosemary or an essential oil blend (ex. tea tree oil with coconut oil and jojoba oil)
A. Make the Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse:
Fill a basin or sink with warm water.
Add 1 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar to the water.
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda. Mix well. The mixture may start to bubble.
Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (optional)
Add 5-7 drops of preferred essential oil to the mix.
Stir the mixture with large spoon.
B. BRAID AND BAND YOUR HAIR BEFORE SOAKING! This is very important with baby locs.
I recommend you watch this YouTube video for instructions on how to braid and band:
C. Soak Your locs
After completing the above steps, your microlocs Apple Cider Vinegar detox has been created. Now it is time to begin the detox.
1. Make sure to get comfy, as you will be soaking for 5 -10 minutes. You can do your detox in the sink but if you have a back or neck issue or just find it uncomfortable, you can place a basin on the floor and soak your dreads while you lay on your back.
Below is a link for a basin that has pretty good reviews on amazon.
2. Place your head in the sink or wash basin. Make sure that all of your locs are completely submerged in the mixture. Using a cup or pitcher, pour the mixture on your scalp, and gently massage your scalp to help dislodge any residue.
Massage for around 30 seconds or until you feel your hair and scalp is clean.
3. Settle into a comfortable position, set a timer to keep track of time, and let your locs sit for 5-10 minutes.
4. Once your timer goes off, using your hands, squeeze the Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse from your locs from root to tip to get the rinse out of your hair. Depending on how much build-up you had, the color of the mixture may become murky and can range from light brown to deep brown but as this is your first ACV rinse post-install so the water shouldn’t be too murky.
D. Washing your locs
In the final stage of the detoxing process, you’ll complete a shorter version of your new loc washing routine with your hair still braided and banded.
Watch this YouTube video to understand how to wash your hair:
The ends were banded very tightly and very far up the loc. The problem with this is that when you remove the bands you may inadvertently unravel your ends. So stick to the first video for how to braid your starter locs and use this second video for information on how to wash.
These braiding and banding and washing methods are how I washed my locs until they fully matured.
After this first wash you likely won't need to do another ACV rinse for at least year, unless you are using lots of products.
I have not done an ACV rinse since my very first since I have not had problems with build-up or mildew. (Likely because I am very particular about the products that I use in my hair when I do use them.
You shouldn't have to wash your hair for at least another 2 weeks. When you do wash your hair next, shampoo your hair then rinse twice.
Important Notes:
Note 1: After washing and drying, undo the braids and gently separate your locs at the base as you take out each braid to discourage “creeping” and “melding” of the locs. Do this after every wash.
Note 2: Avoid pulling your hair back tightly. Wear your hair down and loose as often as possible. This discourages tension alopecia from occurring!
Note 3: Wear a silk or satin bonnet or use a head band or pillowcase when sleeping at night to both prevent lint and minimize the friction and breakage, particularly at your edges.
Note 4: To speed up your drying time you will need a good quality NON-TERRY CLOTH towel (Terry cloth = MAJOR LINT PROBLEM).
I recommend the SheTowel. This is the ONLY THING I HAVE USED to dry my hair since I started my locs and I have not had any problems with lint in the 3+ years Ive been locd.
Common questions:
Q: Should I do the ACV rinse with each wash?
A: No. Just do this one ACV rinse immediately after your install to remove any product, reduce the likelihood of slippage, discourage mildew growth, and lift the hair cuticle to start the locking process.
Q: After washing, when can I take out the braids?
A: Wait until your hair is 80-90% dry before removing the braids to prevent slippage in the early stage of your locking process.
Q: Do I have to wear my hair curly after removing the braids?
A: No. I personally don't like when my hair is curly after a wash.
This is what I do: I wait until my hair is around 80% dry, I then remove the braids and then braid my hair into 2 French braids and let it dry like that until 95% dry. I then take out the french braids.
I find that by changing the direction my hair is drying in, I can remove the curly form that my hair dried into.
Also when I exercise with my hair in 2 french braids, the humidity of the exercise removes some of the kink left from the braid.
Q: How often should I wash my hair?
A: At this stage in the game wash your hair once every 2 weeks.
You can do it up to once every week if you do heavy exercise or are noticing a mildewy odor but the ACV rinse and using little to no products should help prevent mildew from growing.
Q: Do I have to wash my hair more often if I exercise?
Read the above answer.
Q: How soon after my install can I exercise?
As soon as you like! Even the same day! Just make sure to have it in a slightly stretched style (always make sure it is not tight at the scalp). I used 2 french braids and that worked well for me. Then I waited until my hair was 70% dry and removed them. It also gave my locs a nice wave.
Q: How should I wear my hair when I exercise?
Read the above answer.
Q: What should I do with my hair when it rains?
A: If it is anything more than a heavy misting, you should stretch your hair, like noted above for excercise.
You want to prevent slippage and let your locs “settle in” before drenching them without braiding and banding.
If you want to go dance in the rain, MORE POWER TO YOU!!! Just braid and band before breaking a move!
Once your in the older teenage stage you can become more lenient with this and full find your locs look BETTER the wetter the environment!
As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out by leaving a comment below!
