How Often Should You Wash Your Child’s Hair

Having random thoughts about your child’s hair care routine is common in parenting, but what’s more important is what routine you follow for your child’s hair to keep them healthy, strong, and stylish all day long. Keeping your child’s hair healthy and stylish is important, but many parents dont know how often they should wash their child’s hair.

There is no generalized answer because the ideal washing frequency depends on several important factors.

Hair type/texture
Age
The activity level of the kid
Environment

If you think washing too often will keep everything perfect, you are wrong. Overwashing can strip essential natural oils from a child’s hair, leading to dryness. On the other hand, washing too infrequently can cause buildup, scalp irritation, and an overall unclean appearance. For kids, shampoo ingredients should not be the same as for adults, as the scalp and hair characteristics are different. Kids have soft skin, and any chemicals can be very harmful, which might be less harmful for adults.

So, how often should you wash your child’s hair? This guide will break it down by hair type and provide expert tips to keep it fresh, stylish, and healthy all day long.

Understanding Your Child’s Hair Type

The first and most important step in setting up the best hair care routine is understanding your child’s hair type. Different hair types require different approaches to washing and conditioning, especially regarding children’s hair; hair type becomes even more important. Let’s explore the best practices for each hair type.

Hair Type: Straight & Fine

Suggested Washing Frequency: 2-3 times a week

Why? Straight and fine hair gets oily faster than others, especially for active young kids.

Suggest Shampoos:

Bonsai Kids Curl Shampoo
Fairy Tales Daily Cleanse Kids Shampoo

Ideal options for kids: I have tested Bonsai Kids Curl Shampoo for my kids, and I don’t have to look anywhere else now. It has a gentle, sulfate-free formula that cleanses without overdrying.

Pro Tip: If you are going with my suggestions, consider adding a lightweight conditioner like Bonsai Kids Hair Conditioner, that helps maintain moisture and prevent greasiness.

Hair Type: Wavy

Suggested Washing Frequency: 2-3 times a week

Why? Wavy hair naturally becomes frizzy if washed too often, so it needs a highly suitable shampoo for regular cleansing to remove oil and dirt.

Best Shampoo: When it comes to Wavy hair, I highly suggest using Bonsai Kids Curl Shampoo. It helps keep the lovely waves hydrated and in a natural pattern while keeping hair soft and fresh.

With so many options available in the market, bonsai kids products are made with kid-friendly ingredients and are best categorized for different hair types.

Pro Tip: Dry with a microfiber towel to reduce frizz.

Hair Type: Curly

Washing Frequency: 1-2 times a week

Why? Curly hair is a bit closer to wavy hair. Both can become frizzy if overwashed. Curly hair can also become dry and needs a good shampoo to maintain moisture and its natural curl shape.

Best Shampoo: Bonsai Kids Curl Shampoo is designed especially for curly and wavy hair types. It’s magical with your child’s lovely curls. It helps restore bounce and shine while keeping the natural curls soft and fluffy.

Best Conditioner: Consider using a lightweight, complimentary conditioner, such as Bonsai Kids Fruit Power Conditioner, with Curl Shampoo. It preserves moisture to maintain hydrated curls.

Pro Tip: Using a leave-in conditioner is a good idea to keep curls hydrated and fresh.

Hair Type: Coily & Textured

Suggested Washing Frequency: 3-4 times a month

Why? Coily’s hair is heavy and needs extra moisture. Overwashing can cause dryness and even hair fall, so it is again not the ideal solution, but a kid-tested shampoo that can lock in moisture can be a great choice.

Best Shampoos:

Bonsai Kids Curl Shampoo is a paraben & sulfate-free kid-tested shampoo ideal choice for coily and textured hair.
Aunt Jackie’s Heads Up Moisturizing & Softening Shampoo is also a good choice, but not exclusively made for children.

Pro Tip: A deep-conditioning treatment using a lightweight conditioner 3-4 times a month can further maintain moisture and reduce frizz.

Important Factors that May Require More Frequent Washing

Especially for children, sometimes, washing their hair more frequently is important due to the following factors.

Sweating Level: Due to the summer season, your child’s interest in sports, or any other reason, if the sweat level is high, washing hair with shampoo or conditioner can help keep the hair fresh and moisturized.

Product Buildup: Especially for growing school kids, frequent usage of styling products like gels and detanglers might create buildup and lead to dull hair and a heavy-feeling scalp. In this case, you may need additional washing.

Dandruff & Scalp Conditions: A medicated shampoo will be necessary if your child has scalp issues such as dandruff or eczema.

Environmental Factors: Exposure to pollution, direct sunlight, or saltwater can make hair greasy and dry. In this case, frequent washing becomes necessary.

Example: After a beach party.

Signs of Oversashing

If your child’s hair is becoming dry or frizzy, you might be overwashing even if you are using a good shampoo.

You are also overwashing if:

Tangling and breakage are seen.
A dull or rough texture.
An irritated or flaky scalp.

Solution: Stop overwashing and switch to a sulfate-free, moisturizing, kid-friendly shampoo.

Signs of Under-Washing

If your child’s hair looks greasy, feels heavy on the head, or has a weird odor even after hair care, you should wash their hair more often.

You need to wash more frequently if:

You can feel and see the scalp buildup.
Itchy and irritated scalp.
Redness appears due to trapped sweat.
Looks or feels dirty and smells unpleasant.

Solution: Wash more frequently, especially if your child is exposed to dirt and sweat. Try switching to a kid-approved, sulfate-free shampoo like Bonsai Kids Curl Shampoo to cleanse while gently locking in essential moisture.

Final Thoughts & Best Product Picks

Making the right washing routine can be overwhelming and tricky sometimes. With so many products available in the market, the important thing is to know what you need for your child’s hair care. Avoid generalized products and look for specific ones based on your child’s needs. Healthy hair makes a relaxed mind.

Got a favorite kids’ shampoo? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

How Often Should You Wash Your Child’s Hair? (Best Washing Routines for Different Hair Types)