In what order should I wax, wash?

Twist & Rip
While your dreads are new you will want to wax them about twice a week and not wash them. Once the dreads are about 2 weeks old you should wash them and once they are dry apply the wax. Once your dreads are locked up you will only want to wax them about once every two to three weeks to condition them and make them look healthy.

Only a little bit every few days. Just enough to hold the hair together to give it a chance to lock up.

I've had my dreadlocks for over 4 years now, and I still use wax for little loose hairs, frizzes, and to condition them so they don't get brittle.

Expect the wax to be firm and a little sticky. It might be a little hard to get off of your hands, since it's waterproof, but you can use liquid Dawn to get it off. You may find it a little different to work the wax into the dreads for the first time, if you do, get a hair dryer and heat the wax a little before you smooth it on the dread, then melt the wax into the dread using the hair dryer when your done.

As often as you please. Some people will say that you can't wash dreads at all, because they will fall out, but that is just another dreadlock myth. Dreadlocks should be washed at least once a week, just like normal untangled hair. Your dreads may feel a little loose after you wash them, but they will tighten back as soon as they dry. With new dreads you should be careful with them, the first few times you wash them, make sure to be gentle with them, after all, they are newbie baby dreads, and they are fragile.