Are You Washing Your Hair Wrong? (2025)

Washing your hair may seem pretty basic, but it's the foundation of every haircare routine — and doing it the wrong way could stand between you and the hair of your dreams. Case(s) in point: Ever shampoo your hair, yet once dry it still seems dirty or greasy? Or it looks limp and heavy? Or poofy and frazzled? We've all been there, and these are signs of a hair washing routine gone bad. Here, Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists and professional hairstylists explain the do's and don'ts of washing your hair, including the most common mistakes and how to properly wash to set the stage for a perfect style.

#1: Washing your hair too often (or not enough).

While it's not unhealthy to wash your hair every day if needed, "frequent washing will inevitably cause mechanical damage to the hair strands and dyed hair will fade with each wash," explains GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler. If your hair is dry or damaged, not washing daily may keep it hydrated, thanks to its natural oils, says former GH Beauty Lab Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D. On the other hand, if your scalp is oily, shampooing every day can be beneficial to reduce "the buildup of oil and resulting irritation caused by not washing," Butler adds.

"How often you wash also depends on your lifestyle, environment and desired result," says celebrity hairstylist Danilo Dixon. "But most hair types should do a full shampoo and condition at least twice a week for hair to look its best and be its healthiest."

RELATED: How Often to Wash Your Hair, Based on Your Hair Type

#2: Using the wrong shampoo and conditioner.

Shampoos are created to cleanse your hair and scalp, while conditioners lubricate strands when wet, making them look smoother and feel softer. Beyond their basic purpose, there are myriad specialized options to choose from for different hair types and concerns — and using the wrong formulas for you can mean hair that feels and looks not-so-great. Seek out these terms on shampoo and conditioner bottles to find the best bet for your hair needs:

• Dry hair: “Moisturizing,” “hydrating,” “nourishing,” “replenishing” or “softening.” These formulations are made with higher quantities of conditioning ingredients to coat strands, making them silkier and more supple.
• Color-treated hair: “Color protection,” “fade protection,” “color care” or “color safe.” They often have ingredients that protect hair from UV light and more conditioners to prevent color loss.
• Thin or flat hair: “Volumizing,” “thickening,” “bodifying,” “fullness” or, to remove excess oil or buildup, “clarifying.” They are formulated with the lowest level of conditioning ingredients, which can weigh down fine strands.
• Damaged hair: “Strengthening,” “repair,” “damage repair,” “reconstructing,” “fortifying” or “anti-breakage.” These provide the highest dose of conditioning to replenish moisture and protect strands that are overprocessed due to chemical treatments (like haircolor), heat or mechanical damage (e.g., brushing).
• Frizzy hair: “Smoothing,” “polishing,” “frizz control,” “frizz protection” or “anti-frizz.” Like for dry hair, your strands need good conditioning in both shampoo and conditioner formulas to infuse hydration and to smooth hair’s surface, helping stop frizz.

RELATED: 18 Best Shampoos for Every Hair Type

#3: Mixing and matching products.

Get the set: "Shampoos and conditioners are developed and tested for efficacy in pairs, which allows their manufacturers to optimize ingredients for their individual functions," Aral explains. "Mixing brands and collections may produce less effective results, including under- and over-conditioning."

#4: Getting into hot (or cold) water.

The right water temperature is also key when washing your hair. “Don’t use water that’s too hot, because it can dry out your scalp," Butler recommends. "Opt for warm water that feels comfortable." And skip that dreaded cold rinse when you wash out your conditioner: It won't actually increase hair's shine, she adds.

RELATED: Is it Better to Wash Your Hair With Hot or Cold Water?

#5: Piling on too much product.

More isn't better when it comes to shampoo and conditioner. Apply sparingly: Start with a small dollop of shampoo and conditioner and add more as needed. "Excess shampoo will not get hair cleaner; it will just make it harder to rinse, and too much conditioner can leave buildup," advises GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek. "If you have thin/fine hair or an oily scalp, apply conditioner only where it's most needed, halfway down the length of hair to the ends, as putting in on the roots can weigh hair down and make it look greasy."

#6: Not washing your whole head...

People tend to glob products onto one spot on their hair and then end up not getting it totally clean. Distribute your shampoo evenly: "Squeeze it into your palms, then use your fingers to work it from your scalp to the ends," Dixon says.

If one shampoo isn't doing the trick, try double cleansing, Wnek suggests. "When you've skipped a wash or overused styling products, follow the shampoo directions of lather, rinse and repeat," she says. "This helps achieve a deeper cleanse."

#7: ...or rinsing thoroughly.

Washing out your shampoo and conditioner is just as crucial as applying it correctly to avoid buildup. If you have curly or damaged strands, detangle them gently with a wide-toothed comb prior to rinsing out conditioner to prevent breakage. Then, "rinse hair until you don't feel any product residue to ensure that it's totally clean," Dixon recommends.