How to Make and Use Rag Rollers for Your Hair

Long before heated styling implements like curling irons and hot rollers were on the market, women were using a simple, homemade method to get soft, sexy curls with the added benefit of preventing tangles while sleeping. These homemade rag rollers have been used for generations and are gaining popularity once again with women who want great curls without getting up an hour earlier or spending hundreds of dollars on trips to the salon and hair products.

Rag rollers can be purchased online, or at retailers such as Walgreens, but they are so easy to make that you really don't need to spend the money unless you just don't have the time or patience to make them. Before we go into how to use rag rollers, here are two options for making your own:

Making DIY Rag Rollers: Option 1

Old bed sheets are the hands down favorite material for homemade rag rollers. Old sheets are soft, easy to tear or cut into strips and generally lint free. One twin size flat sheet will make more than enough rag rollers, so if you don't have one around the house, it will be very inexpensive to purchase one for this purpose.

Once you have acquired the sheet, cut it into strips that are approximately one inch wide and six inches in length (if you have very long hair, you may want to make them a bit longer).

That's it! That is the easiest way to make rag rollers and the method that has been used throughout rag roller history. Bed sheets are not the only option; any soft material that will not pull on your hair or slip out of the knots you will be tying will work just fine. Bed sheets just tend to be the least expensive and easiest to come by.

Depending on how big you want the curls and how long your hair is, you will need between 20 and 60 rag rollers. Try making 40 rollers at first, that way you can quickly cut up some more strips, if needed, or give away the extras.

Making DIY Rag Rollers: Option 2

If the first option just seems too easy, or you would like a rag roller with a bit more bulk to it, here is another idea for homemade rollers that will require just a bit more effort.

For this method, you will need a sewing machine, a bed sheet or other suitable material, thread and foam (which can be purchased at a craft store).

Cut the material into strips that are six to eight inches in length and about two inches in width. Then, cut the foam into two inch lengths that are about ¾ inch wide. Fold the strips of material in half with the foam inside and sew all three open sides. With the foam positioned in the center of the rag roller, sew on each side of the foam to keep it in place.

Alternatively, you can sew the material into tubes then turn them out so that there is a nice edge with no seam and thread showing, but really you and your sleeping partner (and maybe your kids) are the only ones who are going to see them, so the extra effort really isn't required.

How to Use Rag Rollers

Now that you have made, or purchased, your rag rollers, you are ready to start waking up with tangle-free curls that will take little to no effort to style before you start your day. One of the great things about rag rollers is that the time consuming part happens at night and can be completed while watching television, talking on the phone or hanging out with your family.

If you shower in the evening, wait until your hair is just a bit damp before beginning to place the rollers. If you are starting out with dry hair, dampen it with a bit or water or a spray bottle before you begin. Plenty of women use rag rollers without putting any product on their hair, but for the best results I recommend using a small amount of a light curling cream or a spray curling gel and finger combing it through your hair before you begin.

Once your hair and strips are ready to go, begin rolling one inch sections of your hair around each rag roller. Once you have completed each roll, tie the strip into a knot or bow and begin your next section. It is easiest if you begin at the top of your head towards the front and then work your way down and back. That way, the sections you have already rolled will be out of the way, which makes the process smoother and quicker.

This can be time consuming, but once you get it down it really is an easy addition to your evening routine. And, if you are in a hurry - or just feeling lazy - enlist the help of your partner or your kids to speed things up.

Once you have your rag rollers in place you are good to go for the rest of the night. They are comfortable to sleep in and shouldn't slip at all, so you don't need to worry about sitting still for the rest of the evening.

In the morning untie each rag roller and allow your hair to gently fall away from the roller as you remove them. Style as usual, or just finger comb and leave your hair down for soft, sexy curls. If you live in a humid or windy area, you may want to use a bit of product to help your curls stay in place throughout the day.