Q&A for How to Wash Braids

You should redo the braids every four to six weeks, but you can keep wearing braids for as long as you like.

There is no specific waiting time because braiding is not a chemical treatment. However, your braids will last longer if you wash them less frequently. Washing 1-2 times a week is usually best.

Yes, you can use these products on your braids. However, they should only be used to supplement your regular washings with standard shampoo and conditioner.

You can wash synthetic fibers, but you should use a specially formulated shampoo or mix a teaspoon of your regular shampoo into a spray bottle full of water.

Absolutely. If you are going to wear the braids longer than a week you should shampoo them, just be gentle.

Either will work, though blow drying will of course be much faster.

Yes, you can. Just make sure to wash all of the chlorine out of the braids when you are done swimming.

Wash your hair thoroughly and it should all come out pretty easily. Repeat if necessary.

After shampooing, use a mild astringent in the braided hair, perhaps in a spray bottle. Then air dry, or use blowdryer.

It would be best not to get chlorine in your hair/on your scalp every day. You may want to consider a swimming cap, otherwise do be sure to thoroughly rinse the hair and to moisturize your scalp at the end of the day. Chlorine is extremely drying.

When your hair is damp, braid your hair (pigtails are normally easiest and most effective) and go to bed. When you wake up, Take your hair out and run your fingers through it rather than a hairbrush so your hair doesn't go straight again. finish with some hairspray and you're ready to go!

You pretty much always get your hair wet when you shower without a cap. Rinsing hair with water is okay to do, except shampoo and conditioner were invented for a reason. Your hair may get unhealthy without using shampoo and conditioner. I use those two products once a week, and to stop messing up your braids, I apply the shampoo on my hands till it lathers up, before massaging it into my scalp.