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Wig Washing
Two Categories on this page:
Human Hair
Synthetic Hair
When do you wash your wig?
Answer: As little as possible. See paragraph below.
Reason: Wetting synthetic or human hair makes them more delicate. If overstretched while wet, damage can happen. Water and movements near the roots can also loosen wig knots and wefts in time.
Answer: Some people can get away with 2-3 weeks between washing. If the wig has build-up due to products (hairspray, gel, mousse), or your scalp sweats often, you may need to wash once a week or sooner.
Human Hair Wigs
How to clean a human hair wig – The right way!
1. Detangle
- First detangle the wig. Comb it from the ends to the roots with a wide tooth comb. If it is very tangled and matted and a straight hair wig, try adding some leave-in conditioner .
- **If the wig is a curly wig and super knotted, add some water and deep conditioner for 10 minutes then start detangling. Do not put the wig under a facet. Use a pitcher or bowl and gently pour some water over the wig , then add the conditioner.
2. Wash
- Now add some water to the wig by pouring water gently over the wig inside out from a pitcher or bowl, or using a spray bottle and spraying the wig with water.
- ** Do not submerge the wig under a facet or in a sink filled with water. Human hair wigs are delicate and this can cause loosening of hair knots.
- Once the wig is wet, add your shampoo. Use a gentle shampoo that is sulfate-free. Only use a stronger shampoo if there is much hair product buildup that gentle shampoo will not remove. Gently massage and clean the wig with your fingers.
- Rinse the shampoo out by turning your wig inside out and pouring water from a pitcher/bowl or spraying .
2. Condition
- Fully saturate your wig with a conditioner suited for your wigs hair, but do not put the conditioner too close to the roots (to prevent knot slippage). Dry, damaged hair may need a conditioner that is labeled as such. Use a deep conditioner or a protein mask if your hair needs extra help. Refer to the protein mask’s instructions.
- If the hair is naturally curly/wavy or permed, after a few minutes, gently detangle the hair. If it is straight hair, detangle when dry.
- Rinse the conditioner out by turning your wig inside out and pouring water from a pitcher/bowl or spraying.
3. Dry and Condition
- Gently squeeze out excess water without wringing the hair. Add some leave-in conditioner.
- Also add a heat protectant if you want to blow dry or use heat tools later. Leave it to dry on a soft cotton towel or a wig stand.
- Optional : blow dry it to 80% dry then let it finish drying. Then style.
Synthetic Wigs
1. Detangle
- First detangle the wig as much as you can. Comb it from the ends to the roots with a wide tooth comb.
- If it is very tangled and matted and a straight hair wig, try adding some silicone spray like Turn-Up-The-Heat/Simply Stylin’ or serum (jon freda silicone serum/paul mitchel super skinny) .
2. Wash
- Fill a clean sink with enough cool/lukewarm water to submerge the wig. Then add a little squirt of dawn dish liquid (blue bottle) and stir in the cool water. Do not fall for the expensive synthetic shampoo gimmicks. It is plastic hair and a gentle dish liquid is efficient, cheap, and safe. There is a wig subreddit on Reddit that also agrees with this method.
- Place the wig in the sink for 5-10 minutes. If there is a lot of glue buildup on the lace, gently clean it off. Do not rub the wig’s hair fibers, as this will tangle and damage your wig.
- Rinse the wig, under a facet or in a clean sink with just water.
3. Dry
- Gently squeeze out some excess water, then leave the wig to dry on a clean towel, or a wig stand.
- Do not comb the wig until it is fully dry. Do not condition a synthetic wig. It is plastic, conditioner only adds an extra layer of dirt to stick to. If you must , add some silicone spray or serum near the ends of the wig, nape, or areas that will be heat styled.
4. Optional – Heat maintenance
- When a synthetic wig has frizz, it usually needs some heat applied to it. First spray some heat protectant on the wig, like a silicone spray.
- Only use the heat appropriate for the wig’s fibers. For example, heat-friendly wigs can usually be styled and revived with heat up to 250F. Usually more. Contact the wig brand/company or test the heat in the back of the nape if you are feeling brave.
- A non heat-friendly wig will need a small clothes steamer to use to apply heat, with a metal comb for best results. Or a very accurate low-heat hair straighter(or other heating tool) with heat settings.
- Remember, the frizzy ends of the hair will need to be held for a few moments while it cools down to retain a more smooth shape. (I use a heat glove.)
Verdict
This is the best ways I have learned to wash my wigs. Each wig fiber type needs their own special care.