View Full Version : Using t-shirts to dry hair?
sibiryachka
May 15th, 2010, 11:06 AM
I see lots of references to this practice, but despite searching haven't found any real details on how it's done. I'm envisioning using the neckband as a sort of headband at the hairline, with the t-shirt body surrounding the length, and the arms flapping ... Is that how you do it?
TIA
VintageBrooklyn
May 15th, 2010, 11:20 AM
I have actually just started using cotton t shirts to dry my hair, I can tell you, they are super absorbent!
I just wrap it around my head, with the neck opening folded under near my forhead, and use the sleeves to tie at the back, hmmmm, hard to describe... But I guess it would make more sense to use the neck opening as a headband! I'm going to try that next time I wash my hair!
I can't wait to see what everyone has to write about this and how they use t shirts, I am loving learning so much from the wonderful people on here!
Cheeks1206
May 15th, 2010, 11:28 AM
I'm not sure about longhairs, but curlies often use t-shirts in the manner VintageBrooklyn is talking about. It's called plopping and it helps to wick water away from the hair without messing with the curl pattern. I, personally, use flour sack towels in the same manner, I find them easier to work with.
Calista
May 15th, 2010, 11:37 AM
I use t-shirts to dry my hair - preferably the extra-large ones of my husband´s. What I do is this: I put the t-shirt down in front of me with the hem facing me and the upper part (with the arms) being away from me. I pick up the t-shirt and place the hem on my forehead, wrapping the sides around my head. Then I bring the upper part over my head and towards the back of my head. Now my head is covered by the main part of the t-shirt, with the hem being at the front (my forehead) and the neck opening at the base of my skull. Now I fold the neck opening part once, bring the arms around to the front and tie them on my forehead. I tuck the arms into the pocket created by the fabric on either side of my head, and I´m done! T-shirts are super absorbent and much less bulky than regular towels.
gi2121
May 15th, 2010, 01:16 PM
I use t-shirts the same way Calista described.
If you're wavy, this plopping technique will help encourage the wave.
See this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2qD38ZYX6A&feature=related
Good luck ;).
AmericanWoman
May 15th, 2010, 01:52 PM
I use hooded baby towels. I just fit the hood part over my head and wrap the length with the rest of the towel. Works for me. Lightweight and no towel tumbling off my head.
Brisen
May 15th, 2010, 01:58 PM
I use a big t-shirt, ignore the arms/neck, and use it like a small towel. I try to wrap my hair without twisting too much; sometimes I use a large fabric headband (like a big elastic) to hold it in place.
It's mostly just to sop up moisture and keep my hair out of the way until I'm ready to let it down to finish drying.
Hana
May 15th, 2010, 02:05 PM
I use t-shirts the same way Calista described.
If you're wavy, this plopping technique will help encourage the wave.
See this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2qD38ZYX6A&feature=related
Good luck ;).
thats a great link! shes so cool, haha! :D
just a quick question, would you recommend putting oil on the hair before or after plopping/plunking? im just curious as to how much oil will be absorbed by the material.
EDIT - but if i put the oil on afterwards, wont running my fingers through my hair to distribute the oil ruin the curls?
gi2121
May 15th, 2010, 03:41 PM
Hana: I asked myself the same question about oiling too! I think the curly girls don't oil because the curly girl routine implies applying a leave-in conditioner, so I guess no further oiling is required. If you oil after you plop, for sure you'll ruin the curl. After plopping the only thing you can do to the hair is scrunch it if you want to keep the curl... If you oil before, I guess the fabric will absorb the oil so it's useless, and anyway your hair will be too wet to oil properly! so I guess plopping means no oiling but instead some light leave-in conditioner.
Hana
May 16th, 2010, 07:20 PM
Hana: I asked myself the same question about oiling too! I think the curly girls don't oil because the curly girl routine implies applying a leave-in conditioner, so I guess no further oiling is required. If you oil after you plop, for sure you'll ruin the curl. After plopping the only thing you can do to the hair is scrunch it if you want to keep the curl... If you oil before, I guess the fabric will absorb the oil so it's useless, and anyway your hair will be too wet to oil properly! so I guess plopping means no oiling but instead some light leave-in conditioner.
Ah, I see, thanks for your input!
XcaliburGirl
May 16th, 2010, 07:29 PM
I usually use it turban-style by flipping my hair upside-down and placing the neck at the back of my head. I then twist the rest of the shirt around my hair, stand up straight and tuck then ends into the back. It may not work as well with longer hair.
For plopping, I've tried it by placing the top of my head with all my hair down on the shirt with the neck at my forehead, tie the arms to the back (around my head), and tuck the rest of the shirt under that (sometimes I put it over the tied part and just tie it again over the shirt).
StephanieB
May 16th, 2010, 07:56 PM
I too find floursack towels to be easier to manage and as absorbent as t-shirts.
But honestly - that^ said, I find microfiber towels to be even more absorbent... so long as they are always laundered/dried without any fabric softener or softener sheets and replaced with a new one once a year.
(they do tend to slowly and eventually get thinner and lose some effectiveness after weekly machine washing/drying, after about a year - so I use a new one for my regular hair use and the old ones for when I do stuff with my hair that might stain... and, after another year, a second year of solid weekly use - I just start to use them for computer monitor screens, car-washing, windows, and a million other uses about the house; waste not, want not - and they're not cheap)
victorian girl
November 25th, 2017, 01:18 PM
Just tried this method - and I'm almost speechless, such a differense in curl definition and almost no frizz! I'm really amazed. A t-shirt feels much gentler than a regular towel, and it's not heavy at all.
lapushka
November 25th, 2017, 02:32 PM
Just tried this method - and I'm almost speechless, such a differense in curl definition and almost no frizz! I'm really amazed. A t-shirt feels much gentler than a regular towel, and it's not heavy at all.
Yes, and it's easy. You just slip your head through the hole, let your hair "hang" in the body of the shirt and twist it up to dry a bit. At least that's how I do it. I let my mom stitch the body closed, because otherwise my hair would hang out of it. :)
gustavonut
November 25th, 2017, 02:33 PM
I do this every time. My hair is a lot softer and has so much more volume.
reilly0167
November 25th, 2017, 02:39 PM
I used t shirts to plop and love it!!!! Now I use a drying turban made with a t shirt material, got it at Walmart, the brand is called Evolve. Less bulkey, more comfy:D
Hairkay
November 26th, 2017, 10:53 AM
Yes, and it's easy. You just slip your head through the hole, let your hair "hang" in the body of the shirt and twist it up to dry a bit. At least that's how I do it. I let my mom stitch the body closed, because otherwise my hair would hang out of it. :)
I do it that way but I haven't stitched up the body hole as yet because I figured that the curls will shrink up nicely in the t-shirt. Lately my plaits are hanging out so now I do have to stitch it up.
lapushka
November 28th, 2017, 10:13 AM
I do it that way but I haven't stitched up the body hole as yet because I figured that the curls will shrink up nicely in the t-shirt. Lately my plaits are hanging out so now I do have to stitch it up.
It's easy enough to do and you get so much usage out of a t-shirt like that! Hair grows fast, doesn't it? :D
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