If you have recently bought a new wig, or you are new to the wig-wearing community you are probably wondering how you can best take care of and wash your wig. I’ve done some research into how best to wash your wig and I thought I’d share what I’ve learned with you!
While washing your wig can be tedious, this is something you have to do at least every 30 wears or every 7-14 days. Your lifestyle also impacts how often you need to wash it; as more active individuals will need to wash more regularly. That said, washing your wig too often can reduce the lifespan of the wig, so limit washes only when necessary.
Don’t panic, washing your wig is easier and less daunting as it sounds! Keep on reading to get a better understanding of why you need to wash your wig and how you can do this at home.
Here Are 5 Reasons Why You Need to Wash Your Wig
Although your wig hair is not growing from your scalp and producing the natural oils it needs, it can still get dirty and hold on to dirt such as sweat, hair products, makeup, germs, and odors. Therefore, it’s really important that you wash your wig to keep it as clean as possible.
It is important that you regularly wash your wig in order to avoid any unpleasant odors. Wigs easily cling to dirt, and buildup of sweat, dead skin cells and hair products can quickly accumulate and result in clogged pores and acne. Lastly, failing to wash your wig can result in matting over time, which is very damaging to the wig.
Here are 5 reasons why it’s really important to wash your wig:
- Both synthetic hair and human hair wigs tend to absorb odors. These odors include cigarette smoke, cooking odors and body odor which can make for a very unpleasantly smelling hairpiece.
- The wig can easily cling to dirt. The hairline of the wig and the wig cap can very easily hold on to makeup, sweat, dead skin cells and hair products which could clog your hairline pores and cause acne in the long run.
- Product build-up. People that use a lot of products when styling their hair will be more prone to product build-up. These individuals should wash their wigs every 10-15 wears.
- To avoid matted hair. Excess grease and dirt will make the strands sticky and more likely to clump together. By washing your wig often enough, you can easily avoid the hair becoming matted and tangled together making it easier to manage in the long run.
- To keep the wig in good condition. Washing your wig will afford you the opportunity to treat the hair using a rich conditioner. The hair needs this extra moisture as it is not able to naturally produce it. Washing your hair regularly will keep your wig in good condition.
Keeping your wig clean is a necessity but you should also make an extra effort to keep your natural hair clean underneath the wig. Keeping your natural hair clean and free from sweat, grease, dirt, and product could reduce a possible build-up of bacteria and dirt on the wig cap and make washing your wig that much easier and less time-consuming.
As mentioned above, the wig and wig cap can easily hold on to dirt and bacteria. The risk of sweat build up is increased for wig-wearers that live in hot countries or work out a lot as they are likely to produce more sweat and have it build upon their wigs.
Individuals who do not sweat as much can afford to wash their wigs only every 15-20 wears. If you keep your natural hair as clean as possible as often as possible you will probably have to wash your wig less!
How Does Washing Synthetic Wigs and Human Hair Wigs Differ?
The main difference between synthetic and human hair when it comes to washing is that synthetic wigs cannot be exposed to any kind of heat, as this can damage the fibers permanently. Human hair wigs, on the other hand, can be washed with warm water and a hairdryer may be used. For both wigs, you should always use a wig-friendly shampoo and conditioner.
Synthetic wigs:
- You should never use regular shampoo on your synthetic wig. The formula is too strong for synthetic fibers and could damage the wig
- Always use cold water when washing your synthetic wig as hot water can damage the fibers
- Never use a hairdryer on your synthetic wig as the heat can melt and burn the fibers
Human hair:
- You should never use regular shampoo on your human hair wig. As the hair is not naturally producing oils the harsh chemicals could dry your wig out, change its color and damage the hair
- You can use cold or lukewarm water to wash your human hair wig
- You can use a hairdryer on a low heat setting to dry your human hair wig
For a gentle and effective wig shampoo and conditioner, I would recommend the Demert Wig & Weave System Shampoo and Conditioner. These products are great because they are gentle and versatile and can be used on both synthetic and human hair wigs! They are also some of the most affordable products in the market.
These products cleanse and condition the hair and remove odors without stripping the hair of its shine or color. The products claim to leave your wig feeling soft and looking healthy.
5 Easy Steps On How To Wash Your Wig
The best way to wash your wig is to brush it before washing to remove any knots and tangles, followed by a thorough shampoo in cold to lukewarm water. Finish by conditioning the ends of the wig and leave it in for 5 minutes. Lastly, allow the wig to air dry on a wig stand or lightly blow dry on a low-heat setting.
1. Prep your wig for washing. It is extremely important to brush your wig out before wetting it or starting the washing process. You need to ensure that there are no knots and tangles in the hair otherwise when you wet the hair it could get matted and be difficult to manage.
You should always brush the hair in a downwards motion, starting with the ends of the hair. When the ends are tangle-free you can then start brushing downwards from the middle of the wig. Eventually, when there are no knots you can then freely brush from the roots/wig cap.
Brushing the hair in stages will prevent breakage and reduce the tension being placed on the wig cap that could cause damage to the wig.
2. Shampoo. Once the hair is tangle-free you are then ready to start shampooing. Immerse the wig in a clean sink or bath of water (cold water for synthetic wigs and lukewarm water for human hair wigs).
Take a tablespoon amount of shampoo and gently massage it into the hair. There is no need for the shampoo to lather up or for you to scrub your wig as you would your normal hair as there are no naturally occurring oils to remove.
Rinse and repeat this step making sure that any dirt and debris are being removed from the hair. Don’t forget to wash inside the wig cap and pay special attention to cleaning the section that sits on your hairline/forehead.
3. Conditioner. Once you are satisfied that all of the shampoos has been removed from the hair add a tablespoon amount of conditioner to the ends of your wig hair and work your way up to the roots until the entire wig is lightly covered.
Remember, to avoid product build-up you want the majority of the product to sit in the lengths and ends of the hair with only a little amount near the roots and wig cap.
Leave the conditioner in for a minimum of 5 minutes. If you are looking for a more restorative and intensive treatment you can leave it in for up to 1 hour.
Remove the wig from the sink of water and rinse it under clean, cold water. Focus on rinsing at the roots, until the water runs clear and all of the conditioners has been removed. Don’t forget to make sure that the wig cap is rinsed thoroughly and is not holding on to any product.
Pro tip: Do not brush your wig while it is wet! This can stretch the hair, cause breakage and frizz, damage the fibers, and affect the style of the wig.
5. Drying. Once your wig is finished being washed, gently squeeze out the excess water with your hands. Make sure you don’t tug at the hair or twist it but rather squeeze from near the wig cap and work your way down until you are squeezing at the ends of the hair.
Once the excess water is drained, wrap the hair in a clean towel (or an old t-shirt to minimize friction and damage) for 5 minutes and gently squeeze the hair in the towel. Remove the hair from the towel and give it a gentle shake.
If you have a synthetic wig, allow the hair to air dry naturally, overnight, on a wig stand. If you have a human hair wig you can also allow the hair to air-dry overnight or you can use a hairdryer on a very low heat setting to dry the hair.
Always make sure that your natural hair and the wig hair is completely dry before wearing the wig as a damp wig can be a breeding ground for bacteria and mildew!
PS. Don’t forget to use a wig-friendly heat protectant if you are using a hairdryer!