Careful washing can extend the life of a wig while preserving its luster and texture.
But if you do not have a salon nearby and need to clean it yourself, here is a 6-step process about how to wash a wig for the first time, as spelled out by Iqueenla, based on real-world testing:
The steps were established by reviewing test results, best practices from many stylists, and recommendations from long-time wig users, so they should be suitable for most beginners.
Whether you wear a wig daily for work or photo shoots, or occasionally for events, learning to clean it properly is crucial.
Different wig materials have vastly different requirements for temperature, cleaning products, and brushing techniques. Incorrect cleaning methods most easily lead to tangling, hair loss, or loosening of lace knots.
But how to wash your wig?
We conducted a week-long washing test at our studio using two common samples: a raw hair wig and a synthetic fiber wig, ensuring maximum objectivity in our testing.
Next, I'll walk you through the pre-washing preparations, 6 washing steps, post-wash care, and common mistakes, along with actionable tips based on our hands-on testing.
For synthetic wigs, if you need to restore curls, also prepare cold water and a small amount of fabric softener.
Prior to washing, use a wide-tooth comb to carefully detangle the wig, moving from the ends to the roots, with extra focus on the ends and parting areas.
Tested in real-world settings, detangling carefully prior to washing reduced the amount of shedding by nearly 20% in subsequent washes simply by reducing wash friction during washing and conditioning.
For wigs featuring lace fronts or closures, when you detangle, avoid tugging on the knots directly with the comb.
Instead, use your fingertips, in combination with a wide-tooth comb, and detach strands gradually, starting at the ends and progressing toward the roots.
If styling gel or lace adhesive residue is still present on the wig, first treat the residue with a wig adhesive remover.
Follow the instructions for applying with a cotton swab or a soft cloth.
Gently rub the residue until you see that the adhesive has dissolved, and rinse with lukewarm water.
Note: Many home remedies may damage the lace or discolor it. So, test a small, inconspicuous area first or just use a wig adhesive remover.
For raw wigs, apply a little hair oil or deep conditioning treatment to the ends before washing.
Allow the oil to sit for 10-20 minutes, and then rinse to help with managing tangling after washing.
Note: Avoid using oil-based products on synthetic wigs, as the synthetic fiber will absorb the oil, become sticky, and the hair will become unmanageable.
Soak the whole wig in warm water before washing.
For natural hair wigs, use warm water at a temperature of only 25-35°C (77-95°F) - it should feel warm to the hand, not hot.
It opens the cuticles, allowing built-up dirt and styling product residue to be removed more easily.e cuticles, allowing built-up dirt and styling product residue to be removed more easily.
For synthetic wigs, you will need to soak them in water that is room temperature or slightly cool (20-25°C/68-77°F).
Heat can cause damage, which can cause fibers to become deformed or lose curl definition.
Never apply a high-concentration shampoo directly to the wig; this can cause residue buildup or damage to the knots.
Instead, use a diluted small amount of shampoo (about the size of a coin) in a basin of lukewarm water and swirl it around until it is all foamy.
Carefully dunk the wig in the water until the solution coats the hair strands evenly, meaning the shampoo will have a greater tendency to wash away any residues.
For wigs made of human hair, use a mild shampoo or baby shampoo without sulfate that is diluted.
For wigs made from synthetic hair, use one that is safe and specially made for synthetic fibers, or a gentle shampoo.
Per Blogger Anna, "Diluting shampoo cuts down on residue and the chance of buildup, makes rinsing the wig easier and keeps the hair strands soft and tangle-free."
Position the wig on a wig stand or any surface that will not alter the shape of the wig.
Gently submerge the wig into the shampoo solution for 3 to 10 minutes.
Typically, synthetic wigs will soak for 3 to 5 minutes, and raw wigs will soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
Over-soaking will not only decrease the strength of the bonding or knots, especially in areas of lace fronts, but prolonged soaking will also loosen knots in lace fronts.
Then, with your fingertips, massage the whole wig to avoid stress on the wig lightly. Massage away dirt as you lightly press and rub dirt away from the roots and the surface of the hairpiece.
When it comes to hair strands, rinse and comb the strands down, pulling downward from the mid-length of the hair strands to the ends, and avoid the back-and-forth friction motions.
Finally, with lace front hairpieces, please avoid rubbing vigorously at knots, as you risk loosening the knots.
When dealing with raw wigs, be sure to use a conditioning product or hair mask only on the mid-lengths and ends - avoiding the roots and knots of lace to prevent loosening of the original hair due to lubricant.
Leave the hair on for 3-10 minutes (approximately) and rinse thoroughly.
For synthetic wigs, you can soak them in a small amount of fabric conditioner or specific synthetic fiber treatment solution for 1-3 minutes.
After soaking, you can gently comb through the hair and then rinse with cold water in order to restore the luster and softness of the fiber.
Rinse the shampoo and conditioner from the wig thoroughly with clean water, followed by a cold water rinse.
Cold water will help close the wig's cuticles and keep the hair smooth and shiny.
Note: Rings with synthetic fiber should be rinsed with lukewarm water to avoid fiber deformation due to extreme temperature changes.
Lightly press with a towel to remove moisture.
Then, place the wig on a wig stand or mannequin head, preferably a wig stand. For starters, use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to gently comb from the bottom up.
For a human hair wig, spray a small amount of heat protectant when the hair is semi-dry (if using heat) and apply a small amount of hair oil onto the ends to help fight frizz.
For synthetic wigs, use specialized anti-static sprays or fiber treatment solutions.
The most gentle way to dry a wig is to allow it to air dry in a well-ventilated area; this method provides the best protection for the cuticle and fiber structure.
Air drying generally takes between 8–24 hours for drying, depending on the length and thickness of the wig.
If you are in a hurry, you can dry the wig after placing it on a wig mannequin head using a hair dryer on low heat.
While drying, ensure that the hair dryer is kept in constant motion to avoid localized heat, which can cause damage.
Allow the wig to dry or so, but wait until the wig is at least 80% dry before final brushing or styling.
If you brush with wet hair, it will pull or loosen the knot in the fibers.
Note: Synthetic fiber wigs generally do not permit blow drying or thermal styling at high heat, unless the product says "heat resistant" and follows the maximum temperature instructions, which is generally ≤150°C or lower.
When cleaning a wig, possible sources of damage commonly include: using hot/hard water, harsh detergents, rough brushing of wet hair, ringing out hair or using a high heat blow-drying, and using human hair care products on synthetic fibers that are suited for real hair.
How to wash a wig without damaging it?
There are three basic principles to adhere to: low temperature and gentle care, gentle brushing, and using suitable products.
It is generally advised to clean your wig every 6–8 wears.
However, if you're sweating a lot or using heavy styling products, it might make sense to clean your wig once every 3–4 wears.
Use a mild baby shampoo or a sulfate-free daily shampoo diluted in water at a ratio of 1:3 to 1:5. Follow up with a conditioner - use as you would your hair.
Soak in cold water with a bit of fabric softener (or a bit of baby shampoo) for a short period of time, just make sure the synthetic fiber can handle it. Avoid using kitchen dish soap or detergent that is high in degreasers.
Congratulations! You've now mastered the complete process of how to wash a human hair wig and a synthetic wig.
Want to learn more professional wig care tips? Iqueenla hair factory welcomes you anytime!
