hello and welcome :).....my hair started off at my neck and has shrunk up quite a lot, but its all good :)

Yea, I ALMOST wanted to use it (after having been indoctrinated by DHHQ), but luckily the people on this site brought me back from it :)
And I understand the excitement :D just enjoy the ride and go for it!!

Okay... first wash...! I'll tell you my experiences, and others will probably be glad to tell theirs too, if you like :)
I washed mine at day 5, without a special cap or anything (have to add that I bathe, not shower. I can imagine showering being a lot more "damaging" to very young dreads (since the water is streaming and stuff)) They came apart a bit, got frizzy, but didn't wash out or anything ;)
And you REALLY don't have to wait a month or anything before washing. You CAN even wash them the first day, tough I recommend waiting about one week or so. (that's a good washing routine too! Don't wash too often, unless you want to spend half of your life waiting till your hair's dry ;P)
And don't worry about asking questions. Most people here like answering them, at least I do! Ask as much as you like ^^

Thanks Bella ^_^ I decided I will wait until around day 5 or so, and just fi; up the sink. I think that'd be the best :D

Thank you all for welcoming me here :D

Yea, that 'll be fine ;) just be a bit gentle, and your dreads will be totally fine ^^
Do you already have I timeline? I want to see your dreadies! :) (and don't worry about it being early. I made my timeline at day 5, and probably would have done it earlier if I wasn't on holiday)

Not yet! I'm making them on the 19th, so I still have a ways to go yet. :3 I'm super excited for them though. I'm not sure what I should do the first wash with though :c but I'll figure it out ^.^

You could use several things actually...
I use a Squeaky green Lush shampoo bar. Most people love them, but I've also heard stories of people getting lots of dandruff and such. Just depends on your scalp.
Or you could go cheap, and use baking soda and ACV, or even regular dishwashing stuff. (not the tablets you put in your dishwasher, but the liquid stuff ;P) It's said to work really well, tough I've never tried it.
And most other shampoo's work too, just check if its conditioner and residue free. Health stores often sell them.