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Put on a loose sleep bonnet

Use a roomy bonnet when you want to tuck dry, loose hair away for sleep. Choose the forward-leaning or upright method, then check the band against your pillow.

Step by step

  1. A woman with dry loose curls holds open a roomy plum sleep bonnet with both hands.
    STEP 1 OF 10

    Open the bonnet

    • Check that your hair, scalp and bonnet are dry. Remove hard clips and choose a bonnet deep enough for your loose hair.
    • Open the band with both hands, with the smooth hair-facing side inward. Follow any first-wash care directions before using a new bonnet.
    • Choose the forward-leaning steps next, or skip to the upright option if bending is uncomfortable.
  2. With her head bent forward and curls hanging loose, a woman holds a plum bonnet band at her nape and open toward the front.
    STEP 2 OF 10

    Forward option: set the back band

    • Lean forward only as far as is comfortable and let the loose lengths hang toward your face.
    • Hold the band open with both hands. Set the back edge at your nape, where the neck meets your hairline, and bring the sides forward.
    • Keep the front open so the lengths can hang outside without being caught under the band.
  3. A woman holds the front bonnet band open with one hand while her other palm cups and lifts the loose curl ends inside.
    STEP 3 OF 10

    Lift the hanging lengths inside

    • Keep the front edge open with one hand. Cup the ends with your other palm and lift them into the bonnet in small portions.
    • Fold longer lengths loosely inside. If the back band slips or the hair feels packed in, pause and reposition or use a deeper bonnet.
    • Once the lengths are inside, skip the two upright-option steps and continue to settling the front band.
  4. A woman rests a bonnet over the back of her head while holding its sides open, with loose curls still outside.
    STEP 4 OF 10

    Upright option: rest the bonnet over your hair

    • Use this and the next step instead of leaning forward. Sit or stand with your head upright.
    • Hold the opening with both hands and rest the loose cap over the back and crown of your head. Keep the front and sides open.
    • Leave any hair outside the edge loose while you position the cap. Do not pull the band tight over it.

    The photo shows partial placement. The side and back lengths are tucked in the next step.

  5. Sitting upright, a woman holds the bonnet edge open with one hand and tucks a small section of curls inside with the other.
    STEP 5 OF 10

    Tuck small portions while staying upright

    • Hold one part of the edge open with one hand. Use the other to lift a small portion of hair inside, then switch hands as needed.
    • Work around the sides and back. Lower the back band toward your nape as the hair goes inside, keeping strands clear of its edge.
    • Leave the front band loose until the lengths are inside. Pause if your arms tire or the hair needs to be forced in.
  6. A woman settles the front bonnet band at her hairline with both hands after tucking her hair inside.
    STEP 6 OF 10

    Settle the front band

    • Once the lengths are inside, use both hands to ease the front band into place at your hairline. Keep it clear of short hairs as it moves.
    • If you leaned forward, raise your head slowly. Let the hair rest loosely inside rather than pulling the band down to squeeze it in.
  7. A woman checks both sides of a sleep bonnet band resting flat around her hairline and ears.
    STEP 7 OF 10

    Check around the band

    • Feel around the front, sides and nape. Flatten any folded band and gently free hair caught beneath it.
    • Lift the edge a little to tuck a stray end, then let it rest again. The band should stay comfortable without pulling your hair or pressing your ears.
  8. A woman wearing a loose bonnet rests on her side with her cheek on a pillow to check the fit.
    STEP 8 OF 10

    Check it on your pillow

    • Rest in your usual sleeping position and turn your head gently. Check for a pressing seam, folded band or pulling at the hairline.
    • Sit up and refit anything uncomfortable. If the bonnet still slips or presses, take it off and try another size or design.
  9. A woman supports her hair through the bonnet while lifting the front band away from her hairline.
    STEP 9 OF 10

    In the morning, free the band

    • Support the loose hair through the cap with one hand. Use the other to lift the band gently away from your hairline.
    • Work around the edge and release any caught hairs before lifting farther. Stop if you feel a snag.
  10. A woman eases a plum sleep bonnet upward with both hands while her dry curls fall free in the morning.
    STEP 10 OF 10

    Lift the bonnet clear

    • Once the edge is free, hold it open with both hands and lift the bonnet clear, letting your hair fall out.
    • If hair catches, lower the bonnet slightly and free it before continuing.
    • Set the bonnet somewhere clean and dry. Wash it when it needs cleaning, following its care directions.

About 1–4 minutes of handling to fit the bonnet, check it on your pillow and remove it afterward. Add sleep time; drying and washing the bonnet are separate.

This is an estimate. Longer hair, a new bonnet, the upright method and breaks for tired arms can take longer.

You’re done when…

Your hair rests loosely inside, the band lies flat, and it feels comfortable when you turn your head and rest on your pillow. In the morning, the bonnet lifts away without catching.