Alright, so I'm distressed presently because I've recently taken note of how dirty the interior of my hair is. At the core of several dreads I am able to find clumps of a fluffy, lint like substance, which I suspect to be trapped fabric or cotton or some such. This is very difficult for me to remove short of tearing the dread apart to get at it, and even then some residual is always left within the core of the lock. Dirt is consistently present as well. I've attempted to remedy this through the use of a soak involving baking soda and vinegar, but the results weren't noteworthy. This phenomenon is primarily present in the lower sections of my locks since the upper portions have been better cared for, but I can't help but feel dirty and dishonest to a degree. What I mean by that is that people will compliment me on my hair, which by and large looks superficially good, while I know my literally dirty little secret.
Im considering getting a length of my dreads trimmed and simply hoping that the issue doesn't arise again, but I'm worried that even near the tops there will always be deeply ingrained dirt and so forth. It makes me uncomfortable and insecure, and sort of tempts me to out and out cut my hair off.
I'm not sure what to do about my problems presently. I'd appreciate anything in the ways of suggestions so that cutting off all my hair can be avoided.
updated by @gibra-el-walker: 01/13/15 09:46:39PM