Caring for your child’s natural hair comes with a lot of questions. How often should you wash it? What’s the best way to work through tangles? And what should you use when their hair starts feeling dry between wash days? Having a routine means you’re not figuring it out from scratch every wash day. A simple kids’ hair care routine comes down to four essentials: wash, detangle, moisturize, and style. This guide breaks down what to do at each stage and where Just For Me products fit in. Start With Your Child’s Hair Needs Start by considering what your child’s hair needs. There isn’t one routine or schedule that works for every kid. A few things can help you decide when their hair needs attention: How quickly the hair feels dry. Keep an eye on when the hair or ends start to feel like they could use more moisture. How easily it tangles. Hair that tangles easily may need a little more attention between wash days. How much product buildup there is. Buildup on the hair or scalp can be a sign that it’s time to wash their hair. How active your child is. Sweat from sports or outdoor play may affect when it’s time to wash their hair. The styles they usually wear. Hair worn loose may need different upkeep than braids, twists, or other longer-lasting styles. You don’t have to figure out the perfect schedule right away. See how your child’s hair responds between wash days and adjust your routine from there. The 4 Essentials of a Simple Kids’ Hair Care Routine Once you have a sense of what your child’s hair needs, you can build their routine around four basics. Wash Day Washing your child’s hair clears away sweat, dirt, oil, and product buildup that collect between wash days. How often your child needs a wash depends on their hair, activity level, and how much buildup you’re seeing. When it’s time to wash, work shampoo gently through wet hair rather than piling the hair on top of the head and rubbing it together. Natural Hair Milk Moisturesoft Shampoo is sulfate-free and gently removes dirt, oil, and impurities. Follow with Natural Hair Milk Silkening Conditioner to soften the hair and get it ready for detangling. Additionally, take a quick look at the scalp and not just the hair, to determine how much build up there is. Gentle Detangling Work through tangles in smaller sections so you can focus on one area at a time. A few habits can help: Start at the ends and gradually work your way toward the roots. Use your fingers to loosen larger knots before reaching for a comb or brush. Use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush and work through each section gently. Apply a product that gives the hair some slip before you start. Natural Hair Milk Leave-In Detangler can be sprayed directly onto wet or dry tangled hair. Give it a moment to soften the hair, then comb through from the ends to the roots. Added Moisture Check how your child’s hair feels between wash days. If it starts to feel dry, you can add moisture without going through the entire wash day routine again. Natural Hair Milk Oil Moisturizing Lotion adds lightweight moisture and can be worked through the hair from roots to tips. Start with a small amount and add more if needed instead of applying a lot of product at once. Everyday Styling For everyday styling, think about how your child usually wears their hair to school and during play. Braids, twists, puffs, and ponytails are a few options that can last beyond one morning. Whatever style you choose, avoid pulling the hair too tightly, particularly around the hairline. For braids or twists, Curl Peace Braiding & Twisting Grip Glaze can be applied from roots to ends before styling to help hold the finished look. What a Simple Kids’ Hair Care Schedule Can Look Like Your child’s routine will look a little different on wash days, between washes, and at night. On wash day, cleanse and condition the hair, detangle, add moisture, and style. Between washes, check for dryness, add moisture when needed, and touch up the existing style instead of starting over when possible. At night, loosely secure longer hair or styles before bed. A satin bonnet or satin pillowcase can help reduce friction and protect the style overnight. How often you move through these steps depends on your child’s hair, not your calendar. Pay attention to when the hair needs washing, added moisture, or a fresh style and adjust from there. Common Kids’ Hair Care Mistakes to Avoid As you build your child’s routine, there are a few habits to watch for. Using Too Much Product Start with a small amount and add more only if your child’s hair needs it. Extra product can lead to more buildup between wash days. Styling Too Tightly Braids, twists, ponytails, and other styles shouldn’t feel painful or pull heavily along the hairline. If your child says a style hurts or feels too tight, loosen it. Redoing the Whole Style Every Time One messy section doesn’t always mean you need to start over. Touch up areas that need attention and leave the rest of the style alone when you can. Following the Same Schedule Every Week Your child’s hair may not need the same routine every week. Check for dryness, buildup, and tangles before deciding whether it’s time to wash, add moisture, or style. Build a Simple Routine With Just For Me Washing, detangling, adding moisture, and styling give you the basics of a kids’ hair care routine. From there, pay attention to what your child’s hair needs and adjust the routine as needed. Explore the Just For Me collection to find products for your child’s natural hair. FAQs How often should I wash my child’s hair? It depends on their hair, activity level, and how much buildup you notice. Check their hair and scalp between washes for signs that it’s time to wash rather than sticking to the same schedule every week. How can I make detangling easier for my child? Divide the hair into smaller sections and use a detangling product before you start. Work slowly from the ends toward the roots, taking extra time with any knots instead of pulling through them. How often should I moisturize my child’s hair? Check your child’s hair between wash days and add moisture when it starts to feel dry, especially at the ends. The timing will depend on how quickly their hair starts to feel dry again. What should I do to my child’s hair between wash days? Check for dryness and add moisture when needed. You can also touch up sections of their existing style instead of redoing the whole thing, then loosely secure longer hair or styles before bed.
Learn more
Closets and laundry areas aren't usually the first spots you think of when freshening up your home, but unwanted smells can show up there fast. Worn clothes, shoes, damp towels, and laundry waiting to be washed all spend time in these small, low-airflow spaces, leading to musty closet and laundry area smells. Keeping them fresh doesn’t require a major cleaning routine. Staying on top of damp laundry, airing out shoes, and taking care of other common odor sources can make a difference. Godrej Aer offers closet air fresheners and other small-space fragrance options that can add a scent you enjoy. Why Closets and Laundry Areas Can Start to Smell Closets and laundry areas don’t always get much airflow, so odors can linger. It makes sense when you think about what ends up in them: shoes you’ve worn all day, dirty clothes in the hamper, or a damp towel waiting to be washed. Moisture can cause problems, too. Clothes that aren’t completely dry when you put them away may start to smell musty, and wet laundry left sitting in the washer can develop an odor of its own. With several potential sources of odor in one small space, it doesn’t take much for those smells to become noticeable. Simple Habits That Help Prevent Odors You probably already do some of these as part of your normal laundry routine. A few small changes can help with the smells that tend to stick around in closets and laundry areas. In Your Closet Put away dry clothes: Make sure everything is completely dry before it goes back into your closet. Clothes you’ll wear again: Not everything needs to go straight into the laundry after one wear. If you plan to wear something again, let it air out before hanging it back up. Give shoes some time to air out: This can be especially helpful for shoes you’ve worn all day or during a workout. A little extra space: If you have the room, avoid hanging clothes tightly together. In Your Laundry Area Don’t let wet laundry sit: Move clothes out of the washer when you can instead of letting them sit there for hours. Let damp towels dry first: A wet towel tossed into a hamper can stay damp for quite a while, especially when other laundry gets piled on top. Don’t forget the hamper: Hampers and reusable laundry bags spend a lot of time holding dirty clothes, so give them a cleaning from time to time, too. After the last load: If you have a front-loading washer, leaving the door open between loads can give the inside a chance to dry. For other machines, check the manufacturer’s care instructions. Don’t Forget About Fabrics That Hold Onto Odors It’s easy to focus on dirty clothes and forget about everything else stored nearby. Coats, jackets, extra blankets, and reusable bags might sit in the same spot for weeks or even months without much attention. The type of fabric can make a difference, too. Polyester clothing can develop stronger odors than cotton after wear, so synthetic workout clothes, jackets, and other frequently worn items may be worth checking if you notice a smell in your closet. Every once in a while, take a look at the things you don’t wash as often. Something may need to be washed, aired out, or simply taken out of the closet. Check the care label first before cleaning anything you haven’t washed before. How to Choose and Place an Air Freshener for Small Spaces When you’re working with a closet or laundry area, you probably don’t want an air freshener taking up a bunch of room. A smaller option makes more sense for a shelf, near your shoes, or wherever you have a little extra space. Where you put it will depend on the product and how your space is set up. In a closet, you might have room on a shelf or near your shoe storage. For the laundry area, look for a spot that’s out of the way of clothes, detergent, and everything else you reach for regularly. Choosing a Scent for Your Closet or Laundry Area What you want to smell when you open your closet door is really a matter of preference. You might like something that smells fresh and clean, or you may want a little more fragrance in the space. Godrej Aer Sea Breeze is an option if you tend to like fresher scents, while Lemon Tangy Delight has more of a bright, citrusy feel. If florals are more your thing, you can try Lavender Bloom, Jasmine Floral Delight, or Rose Fresh Blossom. Berry Rush goes in a sweeter, fruitier direction. And you don’t have to keep buying the same scent. Switching fragrances every so often is an easy way to change things up and figure out what you like best in the space. Keep It Fresh With a Simple Routine Keeping these spaces fresh mostly comes down to catching small things before they sit too long, plus an air freshener that fits the space. Check it occasionally and replace it according to the package directions when it's time for a new one. Godrej Aer has options made with smaller spaces in mind, so you can add a fragrance you enjoy without giving up much room. Explore the available scents to find one that feels right for your closet or laundry area. FAQs What is the best air freshener for a closet? For a closet, look for an air freshener that’s made for smaller spaces and won’t take up much room. After that, it mostly comes down to what you like. Pick a fragrance you’ll enjoy smelling when you open your closet door. Why does my closet smell musty even when my clothes are clean? Your clothes may not be what’s causing the smell. Shoes, coats, blankets, reusable bags, or something else that’s been tucked away for a while could be the source. It’s also worth checking that everything is completely dry before it goes into the closet. Where should I put an air freshener in my closet or laundry area? It depends on the air freshener and the space you have to work with. A closet shelf or an open spot near your shoes can work well. In a laundry area, find somewhere out of the way where you won’t knock it over or have to move it every time you reach for detergent. How often should I replace a small-space air freshener? That depends on the product, so be sure to check the package to see how long yours is expected to last. Godrej Aer air fresheners provide continuous fragrance for up to 30 days, so you’ll generally need a new one about once a month.
Learn more
If your child cries, pulls away, or otherwise dreads wash day or any attempt to brush or comb their hair, it can be a frustrating situation for both of you. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way. Tender-headed child detangling is easier than you might think. The biggest secret? Moisturizing. Keeping hair well-moistured is the first step in treating tangles without the fight. Having the right products for your child’s textured hair and working gently in small sections can also help make the process less stressful for parent and child. For children with textured, curly, or coily hair, tangles are a natural part of hair care, both on wash day and during refresh days. Tight curl patterns cause strands to wrap around each other more easily, and dry hair creates more friction, making knots harder to remove. By building a gentle detangling routine and using products designed for textured hair, parents can reduce tears, protect delicate strands, and help children feel more comfortable. Why Detangling Textured Hair Requires a Different Approach Many children dislike having their hair combed, washed, or styled. Even if they aren’t tender-headed, the time it takes, the pull on their scalp, and the mix of sensations from products and water can make the experience uncomfortable for children of all hair types. In some cases, curly or coiled hair actually experiences fewer knots than straight hair. Straight hair experiences more friction between each strand. Curly and coily hair experiences less friction, but still gets tangled, especially because textured hair is more prone to dryness. Your scalp naturally produces sebum, an oil that is designed to protect and moisturize your hair. With straight hair, that oil travels easily from the root to the tip of each strand. But with curls and coils, the oil has a more difficult time traveling down the strand. This can lead to dryness and shrinkage, which can also make fighting tangles and knots more difficult. Simply combing through knots and tangles isn’t going to loosen them on dry strands. And for tender-headed children, this can be a painful experience. Instead, it’s important to treat the root of the problem–dry hair–before you start the process of detangling. Start With Moisture Whether it's a wash day or a refresh between washes, add moisture before you start detangling your tender-headed child’s hair. Coily hair can typically go longer between washes, so plan to wash your child’s hair every 7 to 14 days and use a leave-in treatment in between. Before reaching for a comb or brush, make sure the hair has enough moisture to help you work through tangles gently. Sprays and leave-in products designed with detangling in mind are a must-have. Our Curl Peace 5-in-1 Wonder Spray makes it fast and easy to add moisture to textured hair. It’s perfect for using on a hair refresh day when you’re in between washes and want to moisturize your child’s hair and restyle it. This spray restores moisture, which in turn reduces friction and makes coils and curls softer. You can then more easily work out knots and tangles. Spray the product directly into your little one’s coils and curls, adding much-needed moisture directly to tangles. Then, work in sections to gently work tangles loose. If your child’s textured hair has stubborn knots and you want something with even more moisturizing power, consider the Natural Hair Milk Leave-In Detangler. The moisturizing formula fights tough tangles and knots, and leaves hair soft, flexible, and shiny. Apply generously to your child’s hair, using your fingers to work it into coils or curls, and targeting areas experiencing lots of knots or tangles. Then, gently begin loosening trouble spots, working in small, controlled sections. Treat Your Child’s Hair Before Tangles Occur A leave-in conditioner or deep detangling treatment can help you fight tangles in your child’s textured hair on refresh days or before wash day starts. But when it comes to tender-headed child detangling, every step of the hair care process should keep adding moisture and fighting friction in mind. Choosing wash-day products designed for textured hair can make detangling easier. A gentle shampoo removes buildup, while a moisturizing conditioner can add softness and slip before styling. Detangling Shampoo The Curl Peace Ultimate Detangling Shampoo has nourishing, hydrating ingredients like cocoa butter and raw honey. It removes buildup while preparing hair for the conditioning and detangling steps that follow. Detangling Conditioner Follow up the detangling shampoo with the Curl Peace Ultimate Detangling Conditioner. With a highly moisturizing formula, this conditioner softens curls, leaving them smooth and adding slip that makes it easier to fight any small tangles that might occur while washing and styling. This step is especially important for children with high porosity hair, which needs rich moisturizers to lock in hydration. Creams and Oils Hydrating and moisturizing textured hair takes more than just a wash. The LCO and LOC methods are designed to add a big boost of moisture to textured hair, and lock in that moisture so it lasts until your next wash day (or refresh day). With the LOC and LCO methods, you’ll follow up a wash with a leave-in conditioner, oil, and a styling cream or butter. The two methods only differ in order; the LOC method goes leave-in, oil, then cream, while the LCO method goes leave-in, cream, then oil. Pre-Poo Treatments Fighting tangles and knots on refresh days will help keep them from getting worse and help restore the curl pattern between washes. But you should also use leave-in conditioners and detangling sprays as a first step on hair wash day. Treating tangles and knots before you start washing your child’s hair can prevent them from getting worse. For tender-headed kids, this can also make the detangling process gentler. Use the Right Tools When it comes to wash or refresh day, you might be ok with using a comb and a leave-in conditioner to get rid of tangles in your own curls and coils. But this can be a big mistake for tender-headed kids. For particularly sensitive scalps, consider starting with your fingers before moving on to a comb. This will give you greater control over the pressure you’re applying, and can also be less intimidating for children who have had a bad hair experience in the past. When you’re ready for a comb, opt for a wide-tooth comb or flexible detangling brush. These help preserve curl pattern and are also gentler on tender scalps as they’re less likely to catch and tug on small knots. Using plenty of your chosen pre-poo or detangling product, gently loosen tangles one-by-one, working in small sections and making your way across your child’s entire scalp. Once you’ve loosened larger curls, you can then use a comb, moving slowly and gently through the hair. Never fight tangles on dry hair, whether you’re using a comb or your fingers. Consider Protective Styles If you know that your child will struggle with hair wash or refresh days even if you’re using the right products and tools, you can help prevent some tangles and knots by opting for protective hairstyles. Some options for textured hair include: Two-strand twists Braids Puff ponytails Chunky plaits Flat twists These styles help limit friction while stretching curls and coils to prevent shrinkage that can lead to knots. Protective hairstyles and moisturizing treatments aren’t just important for making detangling easier–they also help with scalp health. If your child’s hair tends to get dry, their scalp likely does as well. A dry scalp can be uncomfortable and can contribute to tender-headedness. For targeted treatment, consider a moisturizer designed with scalp health in mind, like the Natural Hair Milk Scalp Balm. Protect Hair Between Wash Days Fighting knots on wash day and preparing your child’s hair for fewer tangles is important. But there are also several things you can do to prevent knots between washes. Sleep protection is one great option. A silk or satin bonnet can protect hair from friction at night, preserve hairstyles, and prevent tangles and breakage. It can also help preserve curl patterns between washes. In between washes, when your child needs a new protective hairstyle or their hair is becoming dry, you can also restore moisture and help prevent knots from forming by using a deep conditioner, like the Natural Hair Milk Hydrate & Protect Leave-In Conditioner. Pack Your Patience With Tender-Headed Child Detangling From moisturizing shampoos and conditioners to leave-in products and detangling sprays, having the right products is an important part of tender-headed child detangling. Using moisturizing products to hydrate hair and working gently on tangles with your fingers before turning to a comb can help make the process less painful for your child and set the stage for fresh, moisturized, soft, and tangle-free curls and coils! If you’re ready to start building a better hair care routine for your tender-headed child, shop our selection of products designed for textured hair today! FAQs What is the best way to detangle a tender-headed child? Always start with damp hair. Add back in moisture with a detangling spray or leave-in conditioner, working it fully through your child’s curls or coils. Then, use your fingers to gently loosen the worst of the knots and tangles. Work in small sections, and add additional spray or conditioner as needed. Then, use a comb to gently work out the remaining smaller tangles. Should you detangle textured hair wet or dry? Never detangle textured hair while it is dry. One of the biggest causes of tangles and knots is dry hair, and textured hair, and especially high porosity hair, is more prone to dryness. Use water as well as a detangling spray or leave-in conditioner on hair before you start detangling. What products help detangle kids’ textured hair? When you need to fight knots and tangles on your child’s textured hair right away, products designed to be used on dry hair are a good choice. This includes detangling sprays and leave-in conditioners. On wash day, use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner designed for detangling. Follow up with moisturizing products like scalp butter. Why does my child’s hair tangle so easily? Textured hair actually tangles less easily than straight hair. That’s because straight hair strands collide against one another more freely, leading to tangles. With textured hair, and especially curly or coily hair, the individual strands move less, leading to fewer knots. However, textured hair is more prone to dryness. That’s because the hair’s natural oil has trouble traveling down coils and curls, leaving it drier. Dry hair has more friction and shrinkage, which leads to knots and tangles. Can detangling cause hair breakage? Yes. If you try to detangle dry hair or force a comb through big knots, you can cause unnecessary breakage. To prevent this, work in small sections, and always start loosening big knots with your fingers. Add generous amounts of your chosen detangling product, such as a spray or leave-in conditioner.
Learn more
Choosing the right hair care products for your child shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. Just For Me offers two natural hair collections, Natural Hair Milk and Curl Peace, with options for cleansing, conditioning, detangling, moisturizing, and styling. With so many products to choose from, it can be tricky to know which ones are the best fit for your child’s hair. Both collections are made for kids with curly, coily, and textured hair, with formulas that feature ingredients such as shea butter, avocado oil, flaxseed, and other moisturizing or conditioning ingredients. Natural Hair Milk vs Curl Peace While both collections are designed with kids in mind, they support different routine needs: Natural Hair Milk This collection focuses on moisture, softness, manageability, cleansing, and everyday curl care. Its lineup includes shampoo, conditioner, leave-in products, curl smoother, moisturizing lotion, and edge control. Curl Peace This collection puts more emphasis on detangling and styling, with products for tender heads, curl definition, braids, twists, edge control, and protective styles. Individual formulas feature ingredients such as marshmallow root, raw honey, flaxseed, avocado oil, and black castor oil. Meet the Natural Hair Milk Collection Key Benefits Natural Hair Milk offers products for moisture, softness, manageability, cleansing, and styling throughout your child’s routine. Key Products Natural Hair Milk Moisturesoft Shampoo: A sulfate-free shampoo that gently removes dirt, oil, and impurities while leaving hair feeling soft and hydrated. Natural Hair Milk Leave-In Detangler: A leave-in detangler designed to help make knots and tangles easier to manage while adding moisture to the hair. Natural Hair Milk Curl Smoother: A light, milky cream that helps control frizz and define curls while leaving coils soft and touchable. Meet the Curl Peace Collection Key Benefits Curl Peace offers products for detangling, moisture, curl definition, and protective styling. The collection includes a Tender Head Detangling Treatment along with stylers for curls, coils, braids, twists, ponytails, and other protective styles. Key Products Curl Peace Tender Head Detangling Treatment: Made for tender heads sensitive to tugging, this treatment helps remove tangles and knots and can be used before shampooing or after taking down a protective style. Defining Curl & Coil Cream: A nourishing styling cream that defines kinks, coils, and curls without weighing them down while providing buildable moisture. Curl Peace Braiding & Twisting Grip Glaze: A grip glaze that helps hold braids and twists for longer-lasting protective styles. Four Steps to Help Choose Between Natural Hair Milk and Curl Peace Still deciding? Think about your child’s hair, how you usually style it, and which parts of their routine could use a little more support. 1. Consider Their Hair Needs Natural Hair Milk is a good fit when your priorities are everyday moisture, softness, and curl care. If detangling is especially challenging or your child has a tender head, Curl Peace offers more specialized options. 2. Think About Their Styling Goals For everyday curl definition, moisture, and smoothing, Natural Hair Milk has several options. Curl Peace includes dedicated products for braids, twists, edge control, and other protective styles. 3. Look at Their Routine Think about when your child needs the most support. Natural Hair Milk has options for adding moisture and managing hair between washes, while Curl Peace offers products that help with detangling and prepping hair for different styles. 4. Mix and Match You don’t have to stick to just one collection. You can use Curl Peace for wash-day detangling or braids and twists, then reach for Natural Hair Milk when your child needs moisture or a mid-week touch-up. Build a Routine That Works for Your Child Your child’s hair routine doesn’t have to fit neatly into one collection. Some weeks might call for extra detangling help, while others are all about keeping curls moisturized or getting braids and twists to last. As you’re comparing Natural Hair Milk vs Curl Peace, think of the collections as options you can pull from, instead of as an either-or choice. Mix and match products based on your child’s texture, favorite styles, and everyday needs to create a routine that makes caring for their curls a little easier. FAQs Are Natural Hair Milk and Curl Peace designed for kids? Both Natural Hair Milk and Curl Peace are part of the Just For Me collection, which is specifically designed with kids in mind. What hair types are Natural Hair Milk and Curl Peace designed for? Both collections are designed for kids with curly, coily, or textured hair. Choose individual products based on your child’s hair needs, routine, and preferred styles. Can you use Natural Hair Milk and Curl Peace together? Yes, caregivers can mix and match products from Natural Hair Milk and Curl Peace based on their child’s hair needs and routine. Which Just For Me product is best for tender heads? Curl Peace Tender Head Detangling Treatment is specifically made for tender heads sensitive to tugging. It helps remove tangles and knots while softening and conditioning the hair.
Learn more
Developing a healthy kids’ wash day routine while your children are young is important. It helps protect your child’s hair, helping reduce breakage so their hair can retain length. It adds moisture, promotes shrinkage, and preserves definition, allowing your child’s natural curl patterns to shine through. The right wash day routine can also make the process as a whole easier for you and your little one, with fewer tears along the way. But perhaps the best reason to establish a wash day routine with your child while they are young is that it's an opportunity to teach them the importance of caring for their hair properly. Wash day can feel overwhelming at first, especially when you're learning what your child's curls or coils need. The good news is that once you build a routine that works, the process becomes faster, easier, and much less stressful. Select the Right Products for Your Child’s Hair Type The most important part of your wash day routine begins long before you add water. No matter your age, when it comes to textured hair, you want to choose the right products. The wrong shampoo, conditioner, and treatments can leave curls less defined, increase frizz, and make textured hair feel dry. Choosing the right products starts with understanding your child’s hair. Just like adults, each child’s hair has different needs. Every child’s hair has its own curl pattern, porosity, and moisture needs. Understanding how quickly your child’s hair absorbs and loses moisture, which products help define curls, and which products promote shrinkage for bouncy, tight coils and curls can help you choose products that support a healthier wash day. Understanding your child’s hair will help you better select products to fit their needs. For instance, if you know your child has dry hair, you should choose moisturizing products. For tight coils, you’ll want products that define curls without leaving buildup. Start By Detangling Detangling is often the hardest part of wash day for kids. No matter how careful you are, the tug on sensitive scalps can be uncomfortable or even painful for kids. Waiting to start the detangling process until you’ve finished your full wash day routine can lead to more tangles. You also may wind up combing away the products that your child’s hair needs to stay moisturized until the next wash day, or you’ll tug away their curl’s shrinkage and definition. To avoid this, detangle early in the process. Start by wetting your child’s hair. When it comes to textured hair, including coils, curls, and waves, trying to comb hair while dry can lead to breakage. After wetting their hair, use a detangling spray. Thoroughly coat the hair. Then, use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to gently work tangles out. If your child has a lot of tangles, separate their hair into smaller sections and work section by section. Use a Gentle Shampoo Textured hair needs natural oils to stay healthy. But wash day is important for cleansing your child’s hair and setting the stage for another few days (or week!) of healthy, manageable hair and fresh, tight curls or coils. To avoid over-stripping your child’s hair of its natural oils, opt for a shampoo that’s designed for their hair type. A gentle, kid-friendly shampoo designed for natural hair will cleanse strands and leave them soft and hydrated. Follow With a Hydrating Conditioner If your child’s hair is high porosity or otherwise gets dry quickly, conditioning is a must during wash day. But even if their hair isn’t overly dry, you should still follow up shampoo with a hydrating conditioner. Deep conditioner is good for textured hair because it softens strands, makes hair easier to detangle, and boosts hydration to keep hair shiny, healthy, and strong in between washes. Just like with shampoo, opt for a kid-friendly conditioner designed for textured hair. Your product should help loosen any tangles that remain, make hair instantly soft, and also add hydration to the scalp. This step will restore moisture to your child’s hair, which is essential to restoring curl pattern and keeping hair shiny. In between wash days, refresh days can help rehydrate if your child’s hair has become dry. A spray treatment, such as leave-in or a multi-purpose wonder spray, can detangle and nourish coils, kinks, and curls, reduce frizz, and add back moisture and shine that may start to go away between washes. If you need to add back definition and shrinkage to your little one’s hair, a foaming mousse can help. Rinse and Dry With Care When you’re done washing and conditioning your child’s hair, it’s time to rinse and dry. Rinse thoroughly until the product is removed before moving to your leave-in products. This helps seal the hair’s cuticle, locking in moisture. It can also help leave your child’s hair shiny. Gently pat your child’s hair with a soft towel. If you don’t have a soft towel, an old t-shirt is a great alternative. You want to avoid rubbing or pulling on the hair. This can cause damage and also loosen curls and coils. Lock in Moisture Washing may be done, but your kids’ wash day hair routine isn’t quite over. Curly, coily, or wavy natural hair loses moisture quickly in between washes. That’s why it's important to finish your routine with some additional products that can help keep moisture locked in until wash day comes around again. For kids, a simplified version of the LOC or LCO method is a great choice. Both methods utilize a leave-in conditioner, cream, and oil to seal moisture into every cuticle. They differ only in the order in which products are applied. Start with a gentle leave-in conditioner designed for kids’ hair. You want to opt for something lightweight that won’t weigh down natural texture. For the LCO method, you’ll follow that up with a cream or butter. A curl and coil cream is a great choice for defining curls, kinks, and coils without weighing down your child’s hair. A hair and scalp butter is also a great choice, particularly if your child’s scalp could use soothing post-wash and detangling. After cream or butter, apply hair oil. This step is only necessary for kids who have extra dry hair. It can help seal in the ends and lock in the moisture you’ve just added. The LOC method also features oil, but it’s the second step in the process and is followed by a cream or butter. Choose a Protective Hair Style To protect your little one’s curl pattern, lessen tangling, and keep their hair healthy and moisturized until the next wash day, finish the process with a protective hairstyle. Leaving hair loose can increase tangling friction and moisture loss over time. Some protective hairstyle options include: Braids or cornrows Buns or puffs Two-strand twists Pineapple (for protecting hair at bedtime) You want your child’s hair to be secured in place to avoid tangles, but not too tight. Tight hairstyles can be uncomfortable for your child, particularly if they already struggle with a sensitive scalp. They can also cause tension and lead to breakage. You can also use styling products that help build moisture and prevent tangles. A curl and coil cream, for instance, can define curls, coils, and kinks without weighing down hair. How Often Should I Wash My Child’s Textured Hair? How often you should do a hair wash routine with your child depends on their hair. Textured hair needs natural oils to stay healthy. But washing removes buildup and cleanses the scalp. If your child has curly or wavy hair, you can plan to do a wash day every 7 to 10 days. If your child’s hair starts to get dry or tangled, or you need to style it, you can refresh hair with a leave-in treatment in between wash days. Coily hair can go longer in between washes. You should only wash hair every 10 to 14 days, and use a leave-in treatment in between. Tips for Making Your Kids' Wash Day Routine Easier If your child has a sensitive scalp, has had a bad experience with wash day in the past, or has trouble sitting still for long, wash day can be a struggle. In addition to using the right products and routine to gently work out tangles, there are a few other tips you can follow to make the process go more smoothly. Focus on the Scalp When you’re working shampoo or conditioner into your child’s hair, focus on massaging the scalp. This can lessen pulling on their hair, which can be uncomfortable for kids, and especially those with a sensitive scalp. Use Your Fingers Before a Comb Even if you know that you’ll need a comb to work on stubborn tangles, start by using your fingers to work out larger tangles. Make It Fun If your child struggles with wash day, look for ways to make it more fun or relaxing for them. Have their favorite snacks or drinks ready for them to enjoy. Put on a favorite show or movie on your phone, tablet, or TV. Anything you can do to keep your child calm and distract them can help make the process easier for everyone. Getting Ready for Wash Day Your kids’ wash day routine is an important part of keeping their hair soft, healthy, and shiny. It’s a chance to cleanse the scalp and hair, and enhance your child’s natural curl definition. Finding the right products and creating a routine that works for your child’s hair can help make the process easier week after week. Ready to start building the perfect routine for your child’s hair? Shop our selection of kid-friendly products designed for textured hair today!
Learn more
For many parents, wash day can feel like a battle, especially when kids have curly, coily, or textured hair. Knots, tangles, and tender scalps can turn what should be a relaxing hair-care session into a stressful, tearful experience for both you and your child. The good news is that learning how to detangle kids’ curly hair doesn’t have to end in tears. With the right routine, a little patience, and products that are designed for your child’s hair, you can make wash day smoother, faster, and more enjoyable all around. Start with Moisturized Hair One of the biggest mistakes parents make is trying to detangle dry hair. Curly or coily hair is naturally more prone to tangles. That’s because the texture makes it harder for natural oils to travel from the scalp to the ends. Dry hair leads to more tangling. Instead of trying to work a comb through dry hair, start with freshly washed, conditioned, or damp hair. Adding moisture helps strands glide past one another and the comb more easily. With less friction and breakage, you’ll get fewer tangles, fewer tears, and healthier hair in the long run. If your child’s hair starts to dry while you’re working, lightly mist it with water or apply a leave-in product. Divide the Hair into Sections Trying to detangle an entire head of curls can feel overwhelming. It can also lead to more tangles. Dividing the hair into separate sections can make the process more manageable and help you avoid creating more knots while trying to remove them. Depending on the length of your child’s hair and its thickness, divide the hair into four to eight sections. Use clips or soft hair ties to hold each section. As you finish one, clip or gently tie it, and move on to the next. This process will not only help prevent tangles and make detangling easier, but also speed it up. Work from the Ends to the Roots When you’re faced with a head of tangled hair, your first instinct might be to place the comb at the top of the head and try to work it downward. But as you’ll no doubt know from past experiences, this usually just pushes knots further down the hair, where they collide with other knots. For your child, this can create a painful tug on their scalp. Instead of attacking the hair from the top down, start by combing near the ends. Gently work through tangles at the bottom. As you clear a tangle, move up the hair. By the time you reach the scalp, the comb should glide easily to the ends, with less tension on the scalp. This method will also help prevent breakage. Use the Right Detangling Products Having the right method for detangling your child’s hair is important. But perhaps even more important is having the right products. The right detangling products can help make the process faster and easier. Products designed for curly and textured hair provide the moisture you need to detangle hair painlessly and without damage. Detangling spray Detangling spray is one of the best products to use for kids’ hair. It can be added to wet or dry hair, so you can detangle your child’s hair wherever you need to. Detangling spray is made with conditioning products designed to reduce friction in the hair, allowing a comb, brush, or your fingers to more easily glide through the hair, loosening knots and reducing pulling and breakage. Another benefit of detangling sprays is that they add moisture to the hair. This can help prevent tangling throughout the day. Detangling spray provides protection from heat styling products as well. Just for Me has spent more than 30 years creating gentle hair care products specifically for kids with curly, coily, and textured hair. Our mission is simple: make caring for children’s curls easier, gentler, and more enjoyable for kids and parents alike. The Just for Me Curl Peace 5-In-1 Wonder Spray is designed to make detangling easy and to promote healthy, hydrated hair. Use it on dry hair throughout the day to add moisture, or on wet hair for easy detangling or to protect the hair before styling. Brushes and combs One of the biggest mistakes you can make when fighting tangles is reaching for just any brush or comb. This can make tangles even worse, cause pulling, and increase damage on the hair. For children’s curly or textured hair, a wide-tooth comb or flexible-bristle brush designed for textured hair is the best choice. Before turning to a comb or brush, it’s always a good idea to try to work out the tangles with your fingers. This is less damaging and can often be less painful for kids as it gives you more control over pulls and tugs. Leave-in conditioner or regular conditioner Another great detangling product is conditioner. A regular conditioner works in the shower to restore moisture to your hair. It can instantly get rid of some tangles, and leave hair smooth and soft, making it easier to work out any leftover tangles. Leave-in conditioner works similarly, infusing hair with moisture and smoothing hair. Because you don’t rinse it out, it works throughout the day to create a lightweight barrier that locks in moisture and reduces tangling. Before you start working on detangling your child’s hair, use a great conditioner. The Just for Me Curl Peace Ultimate Detangling Conditioner is a rinse-out conditioner that can help set the stage for a painless detangling experience. Treatments When you’re fighting stubborn tangles or your child’s hair is particularly difficult to brush and comb, a deep treatment can help. These deliver greater moisture, helping soften tough tangles and loosen knots so you can more easily comb them. The Just for Me Curl Peace Tender Head Detangling Treatment is a powerful detangling and moisturizing product Using products designed for textured hair can help reduce tugging and make your child’s hair soft, hydrated, and easier to style. Learning How to Detangle Kids’ Curly Hair It’s important to remember that every child’s hair is unique. What works for one hair’s texture might not work on the next. Your child’s age can also have a big impact on the detangling process. Younger children may struggle to sit still while you comb out tangles, and can be more sensitive to have their hair brushed. But as children get older, hair gets longer, and they become more active, leading to more tangles, the process can take longer. From the right routine to the right products, learning how to detangle kids’ hair doesn’t have to be a struggle. The Just for Me collection features kid-friendly products that help remove knots, support healthy hair, and make wash day more enjoyable. Shop the collection today!
Learn moreSign up to receive discounts, VIP access to sales, giveaways & more !
Your cart
Your cart is currently empty.
Not sure where to start?
Try these collections:
