The Best Way To Dry Hair: T-Shirt Or Towel?

Drying your hair with a t-shirt instead of a towel is a simple swap that can have a huge impact on the health of your hair. The coarse texture of towels can rough up the hair cuticle, causing frizz and split ends, and even weakening the hair shaft. T-shirts, on the other hand, are made from a smooth fabric with no loops to catch and damage the hair. This simple swap can lead to less frizz, more defined curls, and smoother hair overall.

How to dry your hair with a t-shirt

Drying your hair with a t-shirt is a great alternative to using a regular towel, especially if you have curly hair. The soft fabric of a t-shirt is less likely to cause frizz and damage than the coarse texture of a towel, which can rough up the cuticle of your hair, making it more prone to breakage and split ends.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to dry your hair with a t-shirt:

Step 1: Soak Up Excess Water

After washing your hair, use a cotton t-shirt to gently wring out any excess water. You can also flip your head upside down and use the t-shirt to scrunch and absorb some of the water.

Step 2: Prepare the T-Shirt

Lay the t-shirt flat on an elevated surface, such as your bed. If you have long hair, you may want to use a larger t-shirt or a bigger piece of fabric to ensure that all your hair can be covered.

Step 3: Place Your Hair on the T-Shirt

Flip your hair upside down and place your hairline at the neckline of the t-shirt. You can then wrap the t-shirt around your head, securing it at the back with a clip or by tying the sleeves together.

Step 4: Let Your Hair Dry

Leave the t-shirt on for 10 to 15 minutes, or up to two hours if you want to let your hair air dry completely. You can also use a diffuser on low heat to finish drying your hair.

Step 5: Style Your Hair

Once your hair is dry, remove the t-shirt and style your hair as usual. You can apply any styling products or oils at this stage.

Using a t-shirt to dry your hair is a simple and effective way to reduce frizz and maintain healthy, defined curls. It's a gentle alternative to towel-drying and can make brushing your hair easier, especially if you have curly or textured hair. Give it a try the next time you wash your hair!

The benefits of drying hair with a t-shirt

Drying your hair with a T-shirt, also known as 'plopping', has many benefits. Firstly, it is a great way to prevent frizz. The flat, smooth surface of a T-shirt allows water to be absorbed without roughing up the hair cuticle, which can happen when using a towel with a coarse texture and loops. This means that hair dried with a T-shirt will be smoother and less frizzy, and any natural curls will be better defined.

Secondly, drying hair with a T-shirt is a more gentle method than using a towel. The T-shirt material is softer and less likely to cause breakage or pull out hair. This is especially beneficial for curly hair, as it allows the natural curl pattern to be retained without disrupting the curls.

Another benefit of using a T-shirt to dry hair is that it is simple and inexpensive. All you need is an old cotton T-shirt that you no longer wear, or one that you are willing to use for this purpose. This method is also time-efficient, as it only requires 10-15 minutes of your time, or up to two hours if you prefer a longer drying time.

Additionally, drying hair with a T-shirt can make it easier to brush out knots. The gentle nature of this method means that hair is less likely to become tangled, making it quicker and easier to brush.

Finally, drying hair with a T-shirt can help to enhance and define curls. The plopping motion, where hair is gently dropped onto a T-shirt, allows curls to dry in their natural pattern, resulting in beautifully defined, smooth curls.

T-shirt vs microfiber towel for drying hair

When it comes to drying hair, it's common knowledge that wet hair is fragile hair. Hair is in its most vulnerable and fragile state when wet, and this is where the debate between drying with a t-shirt or a microfiber towel comes in.

Towel-Drying Techniques

Towel drying is a convenient option for those who don't want to air dry or blow dry their hair. It is also a preferred method for those who want to get their hair dry quickly. However, the traditional terry cloth towels that most people use can be too harsh on the hair. The coarse texture of these towels can damage the hair shaft, leading to dryness, frizziness, and split ends.

T-Shirt Drying

A cotton t-shirt is a great alternative to towel drying, especially if you have curly hair. The soft and smooth fabric of a t-shirt reduces friction and the risk of damage to the hair. It also helps to prevent frizz and makes it easier to brush out knots. To dry your hair with a t-shirt, simply flip your head upside down and use the t-shirt to absorb excess water by gently scrunching it. Then, put your hair through the head hole of the t-shirt and wrap it up. Leave it on for about 10 minutes, and then you can apply your styling products.

Microfiber Towels

Microfiber towels are known for their high absorbency and gentle texture. They have much smaller and smoother fibres than regular towels, which makes them less likely to catch and latch onto hair strands. This results in less friction and smoother hair. Microfiber towels are also said to enhance natural curl definition and reduce frizz. To use a microfiber towel, follow the same steps as you would with a t-shirt.

The choice between a t-shirt and a microfiber towel depends on your hair type and personal preference. If you have curly hair, a t-shirt may be a better option as it can help to define your curls and reduce frizz. If you have thicker hair that tends to retain more moisture, a microfiber towel might be a better choice as it will absorb more water. Ultimately, both options are safer and gentler alternatives to traditional terry cloth towels.

How to wrap your hair in a t-shirt

Drying your hair with a t-shirt is a great alternative to using a towel. The t-shirt's thinner and gentler fabric reduces frizz and absorbs more water, resulting in bouncier, tighter curls. It is also a simple process.

Step 1:

After washing your hair, use a cotton t-shirt to gently scrunch and absorb excess water. You can also use a microfiber towel for this step if you prefer.

Step 2:

Lay the t-shirt flat on a surface, such as a bed or a counter. Position the shirt so that the end with the sleeves is closest to you. Then, flip your hair over so that it hangs upside down, with your hairline lined up with the neckline of the t-shirt.

Step 3:

Take the bottom part of the t-shirt and pull it over the back of your head. Grab the neckline and sleeves, twist them, and tie them together at the back of your head. You can also use large hair clips to secure the ends of the t-shirt to your wrapped hair.

Step 4:

Leave the t-shirt on for around 10 to 15 minutes, or until your hair is about 70% dry. Then, gently remove the t-shirt and style your hair as usual.

Some people like to apply hair products before wrapping their hair in the t-shirt, while others prefer to apply products after removing the t-shirt. Experiment to find what works best for your hair type.

Pros and cons of drying hair with a t-shirt

Pros

Drying your hair with a t-shirt has several benefits, especially for those with curly hair. Firstly, it helps to reduce frizz. The flat surface of a t-shirt allows water to be absorbed without roughing up the hair cuticle, which can cause frizz. This leads to the second benefit, which is that t-shirt drying helps to enhance and define curls. The plopping motion of placing hair onto a t-shirt allows curls to dry in their natural pattern, resulting in smoother and more defined curls.

T-shirt drying is also a simple and cost-effective method, as it only requires an old cotton t-shirt. This method can be particularly beneficial for those who wish to avoid heat damage, as it provides a heat-free way to dry the hair.

Cons

One of the main drawbacks of t-shirt drying is that it may not absorb as much water as other methods, such as using a microfiber towel. This means that you may need to squeeze out the excess water from your hair before applying any products.

Additionally, while t-shirt drying can help reduce frizz, it may not eliminate it completely. For those with thicker or coarser hair, a microfiber towel may be a better option, as it can absorb more water and help prevent frizz.

Finally, the t-shirt drying method may not be as convenient or quick as other drying methods, as it requires you to keep your hair wrapped in the t-shirt for at least 10 minutes, or up to a couple of hours for the best results.

Frequently asked questions