Most of us wash our hair on autopilot. It’s like brushing your teeth: something you’ve done the same way for years without thinking about it. But small changes in how you wash can be the difference between a good hair day and a bad one.
The short version: detangle first, wash with lukewarm water, shampoo your scalp (not your ends), rinse longer than you think you need to, condition from mid-lengths to ends, and finish with a cool rinse. Here’s how to do each step right.
1. DETANGLE BEFORE YOU GET IN THE SHOWER
Wet hair stretches and snaps more easily than dry hair. Brush or finger-comb out knots before you wash, starting at the ends and working up. You’ll lose fewer strands to breakage, and your shampoo will spread more evenly.
2. START WITH LUKEWARM WATER
Hot water feels great, but it strips the natural oils that keep hair soft and can leave it dry and frizzy. Lukewarm water is warm enough to loosen oil and buildup without overdoing it. We cover the science in hot or cold water for hair.
Wet your hair all the way through before adding any product. Fully soaked hair lathers better, so you need less shampoo.
3. SHAMPOO YOUR SCALP, NOT YOUR ENDS
Shampoo is for your scalp, where oil, sweat and product build up. Use about a quarter-sized amount, or a little more for long or thick hair.
- Work it into your roots with your fingertips, never your nails.
- Massage in small circles for about a minute.
- Let the suds rinse through your lengths on the way out. That’s all the cleansing your ends need.
Should you shampoo twice? If your scalp is oily or you use a lot of styling products, yes. The first wash breaks up oil and buildup; the second actually cleans. If your hair runs dry, one wash is enough.
4. RINSE THOROUGHLY, THEN RINSE AGAIN
Leftover shampoo and conditioner weigh hair down and leave a film on your scalp. That buildup can make your scalp feel itchy or flaky and your hair look flat. Rinse until your hair feels squeaky-clean at the roots, then rinse for a few seconds more.
5. CONDITION FROM MID-LENGTHS TO ENDS
Your scalp makes its own oil, so conditioner belongs on the lengths and ends, the oldest and driest part of your hair.
- Gently squeeze out excess water first, so the conditioner isn’t diluted.
- Apply from mid-lengths to ends.
- Leave it on for 2 to 3 minutes. If your hair is very dry, leave it on for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Rinse it out completely.
Unless the label says “leave-in conditioner,” conditioner isn’t meant to stay in. Leaving a rinse-out conditioner in weighs hair down and flattens volume. If you want extra moisture after you shower, use a lightweight leave-in conditioner like Routine Wellness Leave-in Conditioner instead.
6. FINISH WITH A COOL RINSE
End with a few seconds of cool water. It helps smooth the cuticle, the outer layer of each strand, so hair looks shinier and feels softer. You don’t need an ice-cold shower; a short burst at the end is enough.
7. DRY GENTLY
Rough towel-drying roughs up the cuticle and causes frizz and breakage. Instead:
- Squeeze and blot with a soft towel or an old cotton T-shirt.
- Wrap your hair rather than rubbing it.
- Let it air-dry partway before you use a blow dryer, and use a lower heat setting.
ADJUST FOR YOUR HAIR TYPE
| Hair type | Shampoo | Conditioner | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oily scalp | Shampoo twice | Ends only, lighter amount | Keep water lukewarm, not hot |
| Dry hair | Once, small amount | 3 to 5 minutes | Add a weekly hydrating hair mask |
| Fine hair | Once, focus on roots | Small amount on ends only | See our guide to fine hair |
| Curly or coily hair | Once, scalp only | Generous amount, detangle with fingers while it’s in | Follow with a leave-in conditioner |
| Color-treated hair | Gentle, sulfate-free formula | Every wash | Use cooler water to help color last |
CHOOSE A GENTLE SHAMPOO
Harsh cleansers can leave hair dry and brittle, especially if you wash often or color your hair. Look for a shampoo that’s sulfate-free and pH-balanced.
Routine Wellness Shampoo & Conditioner is made without sulfates, silicones, parabens or phthalates. It’s pH-balanced, color-safe, vegan, gluten-free and cruelty-free, and it’s formulated for all hair types.
COMMON HAIR-WASHING MISTAKES
- Using water that’s too hot
- Piling shampoo onto your ends
- Scrubbing your scalp with your nails
- Rinsing too quickly
- Putting conditioner on your scalp if it gets oily fast
- Rubbing your hair dry with a towel
HOW TO WASH YOUR HAIR: FAQS
How often should I wash my hair?
It depends on your scalp and hair type. Most people do well washing 2 to 3 times a week. Here’s how to find the right schedule for you.
How much shampoo should I use?
About a quarter-sized amount for short to medium hair, a little more for long or thick hair. If you need much more than that, wet your hair more thoroughly first.
How long should I leave conditioner in?
Two to three minutes for most hair, or three to five minutes if your hair is very dry.
Should I put conditioner on my scalp?
Usually not. Your scalp makes its own oil, so conditioner on your roots can make hair look greasy faster. If you’ve always conditioned your scalp and it works for you, you can keep doing it.
Is it bad to wash my hair every day?
Not if your scalp is oily or you work out daily. Just use a gentle shampoo like Routine Wellness, focus it on your scalp, and always condition your ends.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Washing your hair right takes no extra time or money. Lukewarm water, shampoo on the scalp, conditioner on the ends, a thorough rinse and a cool finish: small changes that add up to softer, shinier hair. Pair them with Routine Wellness Shampoo and Conditioner, and make every wash count.
