How to Wash a Wig
With proper care, your wig can last you a long time. Proper washing using wig-specific products can help your wig to look great longer.
Many manufacturers have their own recommendations on how to wash a wig and we recommend that you follow their instructions for your wig. Any deviation from manufacturer's instructions is at your own discretion. We will give the basic, general steps here in case yours did not come with instructions.
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🚿Washing a Basic Cap/Traditional Cap Wig:
Prior to washing - gently detangle
Comb first to detangle. Carefully detangle the hair fibers by combing with a wide-tooth comb. Starting at the ends, comb down and then work towards the roots, combing down each time. For curly wigs, you may want to detangle by using your fingers.
Wash
Fill a sink or basin with cool water and stir in 2-3 droplets of shampoo (use the directions/amount from your shampoo bottle). Completely submerge wig and allow to soak for 3-5 minutes. If you need to remove makeup from the cap, you may put a little shampoo on the spot and gently rub the area with your fingers.
Rinse
Rinse out shampoo thoroughly with cool water. Avoid wringing or squeezing the hair fibers.
Condition
There are 2 types of conditioner.
1. Conditioner. Condition by soaking in conditioner added to cool water. Let soak for 5 minutes.
2. Spray/leave-in conditioner. Spray on slightly damp wig after washing and rinsing process. It is meant to remain on the fibers. *Do not rinse off spray conditioner.
Rinse thoroughly
Rinse thoroughly with cool water after soaking in conditioner. You can rinse under the tap or you can rinse in the basin filled with clean water. This may take a few passes.
Blot in a towel
Once you have taken your wig out of the rinse water and let it drip dry in the sink (do not ring out the wig), lay wig on a bath towel and roll it up in the towel to blot it.
Hang to dry or place on an open stand
Hang your wig to dry or place on an open wig stand to dry. Drying generally takes a few hours.
🚿Washing Lace Front and Monofilament Wigs:
Prior to washing - gently detangle
Comb first to detangle. Carefully detangle the hair fibers by combing with a wide-tooth comb. Starting at the ends, comb down and then work towards the roots, combing down each time. For curly wigs, you may want to detangle by using your fingers.
Wash while holding
Place wig over hand under cold running water. Once wet, apply wig shampoo to the fibers and distribute throughout. Do not rub hair.
- Do not handle by the lace front.
To prevent wash-through (fibers from outside the cap transferring to inside the cap): Rinse wig inside out at the lace front.
Rinse while holding
Keep cool water traveling in the same direction as the hair fibers and rinse well.
Remove excess water
Squeeze gently to remove excess water and wrap/roll wig in a dry towel to remove as much water as possible.
Spray with conditioner
Spray wig fibers with 3-5 pumps of spray conditioner, being careful not to get conditioner on lace front or mono features. Do not rinse out spray conditioners; they are meant to remain on the fibers.
Hang to dry
Shake wig over tub or shower and hang upside down by nape tags to dry completely.
Products made for wigs recommended.
Why not use regular hair/household products on wigs?
- Standard shampoos contain harsh cleansing agents that can strip protective coatings, cause chemical dulling, and create static or matting.
- Standard conditioners and treatments often contain heavy oils, waxes, or silicones. If applied near the base of a hand-tied or lace-front wig, these heavy ingredients lubricate the fine knots tied to the cap, causing them to loosen and leading to permanent shedding.
- Standard hairsprays, mousses, and gels often contain drying alcohols to ensure quick drying on natural hair. On synthetic fibers, alcohol causes surface deterioration and breakdown.
- Regular hair products leave behind heavy residues meant to be washed out frequently from natural hair. Because wigs are washed less frequently (typically every 10–14 wears), using standard products creates a sticky film that attracts dirt, dust, and environmental pollution, making the wig look dull and feel heavy.
Why use wig-safe products?
- Specially designed synthetic shampoos and leave-in conditioners coat the acrylic/nylon fibers with a protective layer that neutralizes static, minimizes friction-induced frizz (especially around the nape), and preserves the factory heat-style or curl pattern.
- Wig cleansers are engineered to break down adhesives, scalp oils, and environmental pollutants gently during a soak, requiring minimal scrubbing or pulling that could otherwise damage cap construction.
- Wig-safe conditioners and detanglers are ultra-lightweight, coating the strands lightly and are rinsed easily without leaving heavy wax or silicone buildup. This ensures the hand-tied knots on lace-front and monofilament caps remain intact rather than loosening or causing accelerated shedding.
- By avoiding harsh sulfates, paraben build-up, and drying alcohols, specialized products significantly prolong the usable life of synthetic hair pieces, saving you money over time by keeping your investment in top condition.
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