How to Wash Hair in a Sink

Co-authored by Courtney Foster

Last Updated: December 15, 2024 References

There are numerous reasons why you may not want to wash your hair in the shower. Perhaps you are in a hurry, perhaps you just got a new tattoo, or maybe you wear hair extensions. Whatever the reason, washing your hair in the sink can be a quick, easy alternative.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing to Wash

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1
Choose shampoo and conditioner that suit your hair. Different hair types will all have different shampoo and conditioner needs.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.}
- If your hair is curly or wavy, you will need a hydrating shampoo/conditioner.
- If your hair is straight, you will want a volumizing shampoo/conditioner to minimize flatness.
- If your hair is course, kinky, or damaged you will want a shampoo/conditioner that can treat damage, detangle, and soften.
You will need shampoo, conditioner, a towel, a comb, and a cup. You will also need a sink, and possibly a step stool. A few extra towels are always a good idea.

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Prepare yourself for hair washing by rolling up your sleeves, or even taking off your shirt.^{[2]
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Research source} You may also want to place a towel around your neck.
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Choose the best sink. You'll want a sink that is large enough to fit your head under the faucet. You'll also want a sink that is a good height for you to bend over into (a sink that sits at your belly button will be perfect). If your sink has a sprayer, that is an added benefit!
- Use a step stool if your sink is too high.
- Kitchen sinks tend to be larger and more commonly have sprayers. For this reason, kitchen sinks usually work best.
Let the water run until it is warm. You want the water to be nice and comfortable, but not too hot.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Shampooing Your Hair

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Bend over into the sink. Flip your hair over so that the back of your neck is exposed. Get your head as far under the running faucet as you can. Then, using the sink sprayer and/or your cup, pour additional water on your hair until the back is completely saturated. Warm water is the best choice for this step.^{[3]
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Turn your face from side to side, placing each side of your head under the running faucet. Then, using the sink sprayer and/or your cup, pour additional water on the sides of your head until they are completely saturated.
Cup your hands under the running water and splash water onto the hair above your forehead. By now, all of the hair on your head should be saturated.
Depending on the length of your hair, dispense approximately a quarter-sized dollop of shampoo into your palm. Rub your hands together to lather the shampoo. Then, starting at the very front (above your forehead), apply shampoo to the roots of your hair.^{[4]
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Really focus on cleansing the hair closest to the scalp. This is where hair gets the greasiest and needs the most cleansing.^{[5]
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Research source} Once your scalp is clean, you can move the shampoo through to the tips of your hair.
6
Rinse out the shampoo. Following the same method as when you got your hair wet, begin rising out all of the shampoo. Be careful not to the get soap in your eyes.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.}
- Wet the back of your neck, then the sides, and finally the front.
- Keep rinsing until the water is clear.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Conditioning Your Hair

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Depending on the length of your hair, dispense approximately a quarter-sized dollop of conditioner into your palm. Rub your hands together and apply conditioner to your hair from your ears down. This is very important! Do not apply conditioner directly to your scalp.^{[7]
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Once the hair from your ears down is effectively conditioned, you can run your hands and any remaining conditioner through the length of your hair from root to tip.^{[8]
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Leave conditioner on your hair for one to five minutes. This gives the product time to moisturize your hair properly.^{[9]
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4
Rinse with cold water. Following the same method as when you got your hair wet, begin rising out all of the conditioner.
- Wet the back of your neck, then the sides, and finally the front.
- Keep rinsing until the water is clear.
- Cool or cold water is the best choice for this step.
Use a towel to remove dampness from you hair. Be gentle with the towel, being sure not to damage your hair. Your hair is particularly sensitive when it is wet.^{[10]
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Begin by combing you hair out with a wide-toothed comb. After this, continue with your normal styling routine.

Chris McMillan, Celebrity Hairstylist

Don't use too much product. "The number-one mistake with styling products isn't what you're using; it's how much. A dime-size dab is almost always the right amount."

Expert Q&A

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Question

What shampoo should I use to wash my hair if it's dry?

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan.

Courtney Foster

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

It's best to use a moisturizing shampoo (and a moisturizing conditioner) if your hair is naturally kind of dry. You can always supplement your hair care routine with argan oil to add a little bit of moisture if you're looking for thicker, silkier hair.

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Why can't I put conditioner straight onto my scalp?

Community Answer

The purpose of conditioner is to moisturize your hair. Since you produce the most oil at your scalp, conditioning your scalp will increase its oiliness. Condition the ends of your hair, because that is where your hair will be most dry and prone to breakage!

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How can you stop excessive hair loss?

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Try eating curry leaves, and massage your scalp using curry-leaf oil or coconut oil.

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Tips

Wearing a towel isn't necessary, but it makes the job a whole lot easier.

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Be sure to scrub and rinse all of the shampoo out of your hair. If you are careless when rinsing the shampoo from your hair, it will show. Dry shampoo comes off as white flakes and it will look like you have dandruff.

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You can also use this method to wash someone else's hair! You can pull a tall hair up to the edge of the sink (like a salon) or if the person is small, they can lay on the kitchen counter.

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Warnings

Don't stay bent over for a long period of time.

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Try not to hit your head on the faucet or sprayer.

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If your neck starts getting stiff, take a break for a minute.

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Be careful not to get shampoo in your eyes. Use a tear-free variety, or keep your eyes shut.

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