How often should you wash your hair? For most people, somewhere between every day and once a week. Fine hair and oily scalps often need washing daily or every other day, normal hair usually does well every two to three days, and dry, curly, coily and afro hair tends to prefer once or twice a week, sometimes less. The right rhythm for you depends on how oily your scalp gets, your hair texture, how much you sweat and how many products you use.
There's no prize for washing less, and no harm in washing more often if your hair and scalp are happy. This guide will help you spot the signs you're washing too much or too little, and find a routine that works.
Why there's no single answer
Your scalp produces sebum, a natural oil that protects your skin and hair. How much you make, and how quickly it shows, depends on a few things:
- Hair texture. On straight, fine hair, oil travels quickly down the strand, so hair looks greasy sooner. On curly and coily hair, it travels slowly, so the lengths stay drier for longer.
- Your scalp. Some people simply have oilier scalps than others, and this can change with age and hormones. Teenagers often find their hair gets greasy faster.
- Lifestyle. Sweating at the gym, swimming, working outdoors or in a dusty job all add to what needs washing out.
- Products. Dry shampoo, gels, sprays and oils build up on the scalp and hair over time.
You'll often hear that washing less "trains" your scalp to produce less oil. There's little solid evidence for that. Oil production is mostly down to things like genetics, age and hormones, so choose a routine based on how your hair looks and feels, not on training it.
How often should you wash your hair? A guide by hair type
Use this as a starting point, then adjust based on how your hair responds.
| Hair type | Typical wash frequency | Signs it's time for a wash |
|---|---|---|
| Fine or straight, oily scalp | Daily or every other day | Flat, greasy roots by the next day |
| Normal or medium thickness | Every two to three days | Roots look heavy, scalp starts to itch |
| Thick or wavy | Two to three times a week | Waves lose definition, scalp feels coated |
| Curly | Once or twice a week | Build-up at the roots, curls feel limp |
| Coily or afro | Every one to two weeks | Scalp itch or build-up, product residue |
| Dry, coloured or damaged | Once or twice a week, gently | Scalp feels oily even though lengths are dry |
For children, a couple of washes a week is usually plenty, with extra washes after swimming, sport or particularly messy play. For coily and afro hair, washing is only one part of keeping hair healthy; our guide on how to moisturise afro hair covers the rest of the routine.
Signs you're washing your hair too often
If you notice several of these, try stretching the gap between washes by a day:
- Your lengths feel dry, rough or straw-like, even though you condition.
- Your scalp feels tight or itchy straight after washing.
- Hair colour fades quickly.
- Your hair is frizzy and hard to manage.
- It feels "squeaky" clean after rinsing, which often means it has been stripped.
If dryness is the main issue, a gentler formula can help as much as washing less. Our guide to choosing a shampoo for dry hair explains what to look for.
Signs you're not washing your hair enough
On the other hand, these suggest your scalp wants more attention:
- Your scalp is itchy or feels coated.
- Roots look greasy or flat within hours of styling.
- You notice flakes, build-up or a smell.
- Spots appear along your hairline or forehead.
- Styling products stop working as well.
Flakes can be dandruff rather than a dirty scalp. If an itchy, flaky scalp doesn't settle with regular washing, a pharmacist can recommend an anti-dandruff shampoo and how often to use it. See your GP if it's sore, spreading or not improving.
When you might need to wash more often
Even if you normally go a few days between washes, some weeks call for more:
- After the gym or sport. Sweat and oil can make the scalp itchy. A quick wash, or at least a rinse, helps. Our gym hair care routine has tips for frequent exercisers.
- After swimming. Rinse chlorinated or salt water out of your hair the same day, and condition afterwards.
- In hot weather. More sweat means greasier roots, faster.
- When you've used lots of product. Heavy styling, dry shampoo or oils build up and are best washed out.
How to stretch the time between washes
If you'd like to wash less often, a few tricks make the in-between days easier:
- Use dry shampoo sparingly. It absorbs oil and adds volume, but it doesn't clean your scalp. Use it for a day or two, then wash properly to clear the build-up.
- Rinse or co-wash. A water-only rinse, or a wash with conditioner only, can refresh curls and lengths without shampoo.
- Keep your hands off. Touching and pushing hair back transfers oil from your hands.
- Wash your brushes and pillowcases. Both collect oil and product, then put it straight back into clean hair.
- Style for day three. Braids, buns and slicked-back styles hide roots that are past their best.
How to wash your hair properly
Whatever your wash frequency, good technique protects your hair:
- Use lukewarm rather than hot water.
- Massage shampoo into your scalp with your fingertips; the lather will clean the lengths as you rinse.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Condition from mid-lengths to ends and leave it on for the time the pack suggests.
- Squeeze out water gently rather than rubbing with a towel.
If you wash often, a gentle shampoo matters more than ever, because every wash removes some of your natural oil.
The XHC Argan Oil Shampoo Twin Pack is designed for gentle daily cleansing. It's formulated with Moroccan argan oil to help moisturise hair, improve softness and enhance natural shine, and it helps remove dirt and excess oil while maintaining moisture. It's vegan friendly, paraben-free, dermatologically tested and labelled as suitable for all hair types. At the time of writing, the twin pack was £9.99 (about £5 a bottle), and a six-bottle stock-up was £28.47 (about £4.75 a bottle) if you get through shampoo quickly.
Finding your rhythm
There's no universal rule for how often you should wash your hair. Oily scalps and fine hair tend to need it more often, while dry, curly and coily hair usually does better with fewer washes. Start with the guide above, watch for the signs of over- and under-washing, and adjust until your scalp feels comfortable and your hair looks its best. The right routine is the one that makes your hair feel like it's having a good hair day more often than not.
At PoundMart, we bundle everyday essentials into multi-packs, so however often you wash, you won't be caught out by an empty bottle. You can find our full range of XHC shampoos, conditioners and bars in the haircare collection.
Frequently asked questions
Is it bad to wash your hair every day?
Not necessarily. If you have an oily scalp or fine hair, or you exercise daily, washing every day can be exactly right. Use a gentle shampoo, focus it on your scalp and condition your ends. If your lengths start to feel dry or rough, try washing every other day instead.
Does washing your hair less often make it less greasy?
There's little solid evidence that your scalp can be "trained" to produce less oil. How oily your hair gets is mostly down to things like genetics, age and hormones. Washing less can suit some people, but if your hair looks greasy and your scalp feels itchy, it's fine to wash more often.
How often should you wash afro hair?
Afro and coily hair usually does well with washing every one to two weeks, because natural oils travel slowly down tightly coiled strands and the lengths can dry out. Some people wash more often, especially if they exercise a lot or use a lot of product. Moisturising between washes is just as important as the wash itself.
How often should kids wash their hair?
A couple of times a week is usually enough for younger children, with extra washes after swimming, sport or messy play. Older children and teenagers may need to wash more often as their scalps become oilier. Use a gentle shampoo and keep it out of their eyes.
Should I wash my hair after every workout?
Not always. If you've sweated heavily or your scalp feels itchy, a wash helps. After lighter sessions, a water rinse or a quick condition of the lengths is often enough. Let your hair dry fully before tying it up tightly again.
