Why Wash Day for Locs Takes So Long (and How to Fix It) | Dr Locs Official

October 07, 2025 Chimere Faulk

If you’ve ever looked up at the clock mid–wash day and realized half your day is gone — you’re not alone. For many of us with locs, wash day can feel like a whole shift. But here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to be that way.

After 20+ years as a loctician, I’ve seen what makes wash day drag out — and how to make it smoother. Here’s how to turn wash day from an all-day project into an intentional routine that actually feels good.

1. Prep Makes Everything Easier

The more prepared you are, the faster the process.

Have all your tools ready — clips, scrunchies, spray bottle, towel, and your retwist products.
Keep your locs organized. Put your hair up in a topknot or ponytail and only take down one section at a time to re-twist. That simple organization saves time and frustration.
If you’re re-twisting your own hair, separate your sections before you even start. Fighting through locs just to find your place is what slows everything down.

2. Wash Smart, Not Hard

Where you wash your hair makes a big difference.

The shower is usually the easiest place — it’s faster, less messy, and doesn’t hurt your neck like bending over a sink.
Make sure to rinse thoroughly. Locs hold onto product easily, so if shampoo or conditioner isn’t fully rinsed, it’ll sit inside your locs and create buildup.
Flip your hair back and rinse the “kitchen” (the back of your head). That’s where residue likes to hide.

Make your environment work for you — not against you.

3. Multitask While You Maintain

If you’re doing your own wash and retwist, make the time work for you.

Put on that podcast you’ve been meaning to listen to.
Catch up on your favorite show.
Turn on an audiobook or that online course you bought but never finished.

When you shift your focus, wash day stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like me time.

4. Use Products That Save You Time

Here’s a little hack I’ve heard from so many of my customers — the Dr Locs Imani Locking Spray cuts retwist time in half compared to gels.

Instead of dipping and applying product section by section, you just spray the loc, twist, and go. It’s lightweight, buildup-free, and gets the job done fast.

5. Consistency Makes It Easier

The more you wash and retwist on a regular schedule, the easier it gets. Think about it like muscle memory — your hands move faster, your sections stay cleaner, and your locs stay healthier.

That’s also why a loctician can retwist your whole head in half the time. It’s what we do every day. So if you’re pressed for time, book an appointment! Sometimes the best “hack” is letting a professional handle it while you relax.

6. Treat It Like Self-Care

Wash day isn’t just maintenance — it’s a form of care. Whether you do it yourself or book with your loctician, take it as a moment to slow down, reconnect with your hair, and treat yourself to some peace.