How To Wash And Care For A Human Hair Wig

If you are wondering how to wash a human hair wig to make it looks perfect every time you wear it and extend the wig lifespan, you are not alone. Millions of women are considering the same question. So, what is the right way to wash and care for my lace front wig? How often should I wash my wig? All these questions may occur in your mind at the same time.

This article includes everything you need to know about washing and caring for your wig, step-by-step instructions, and answers to any questions you may have. 

When you are ready to wash your wig at home, there is something you need to prepare to achieve the best washing result.

Products And Tools You Need To Prepare For Washing Lace Wigs

• A high-quality human hair wig
• Lukewarm water
• Microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt
• Wig shampoo and conditioner
• Wig stand
• Wide-Tooth Comb
• Heat protectant spray

How To Wash A Human Hair Wig At Home

Step 1: Washing

1. Detangle your wig. 

Starting by gently combing your hair to move knots with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers, start from the bottom and work your way up toward the roots until you can run your comb or fingers through it without snagging. If you have a curly wig, fingers work best to detangle the wig. This step can avoid strands shedding during the washing process.

2. Rinse the wig. 

• Fill your sink or washing bowl with cold or lukewarm water. Follow your shampoo package instructions to add the corresponding amounts of shampoo and mix the water with the shampoo well. Tips: Use a high-quality shampoo suitable for the hair type you are washing. For example, if you are washing a colored wig, go for a color-safe shampoo. If you are cleaning a curly wig, use a shampoo made for curly hair.
• Use your finger to turn your wig inside out, and gently press your wig into the water and shampoo mixture to submerge them.
• Give the wig a gentle swirl to help distribute the shampoo throughout the strands, and let it soak for 5-10 minutes. Notice: Swirling or thrashing it too frequently can damage the fibers and tangle the hairs, resulting in more combing and improper washing.
• Run cool water from the base down to the bottom of the wig to remove the shampoo. You can do this under the faucet or shower until the water runs clear. Be gentle when rinsing your wig, don't twist or wring out your wig.
• Use a clean microfiber towel to blot the hair roughly. The hair can be damp but not sopping wet.

Step 2: Condition

Apply conditioner and use your fingers gently to comb through the strands. Make sure to keep the conditioner away from the base of the wig, as the knots that tie the hairs to the wig cap can become undone and fall out. Leave the conditioner for a few minutes, then rinse the wig from the top of the wig down to the end of the strands with cold water until the water runs clear. 

Step 3: Drying the wig

Turn the wig right side out. Lay your wig on a cotton T-shirt or a clean and dry microfiber towel to blot the excess water. Then hang the wig on a wig stand to let it dry naturally. After the wig is completely dry, use your finger or a wide-tooth comb to detangle the wig.

Step 4: Styling and caring for your wig

Place your wig on a wig mannequin head. Apply some olive oil or coconut oil to keep your hair well hydrated can avoid damage from the dryness. 

Before using any heat tools to style your hair, apply heat protectant spray on the hair specifically designed for human hair wigs. Use products sparingly for the longest life span of your wig.

How To Maintain To Prolong Your Wig Lifespan

How long the wig last depends on how your treat and care for your wig. There is something you need to do and something you can't do when washing and caring for a human hair wig.

Do

1. Choose the shampoo and conditioner specially designed for wigs.
2. Be sure to apply heat protectant products before you use heating tools like a flat iron or curling iron.
3. Be gentle with your wig whenever washing and styling your wig.
4. Store your wig correctly. Place your wig on a wig stand or silk bag when you don't wear it.
5. Wearing a wig cap underneath can extend the lifespan of human hair wigs.

Don't do

1. Don't brush the wig when the hair is wet, which can lead to tangles and shedding of your strands.
2. Don't place your wig exposed under sunlight to dry as this can dry it out and make the color dull.
3. Don't use a blow dryer to dry your wig if you are not in a hurry. If you are in a hurry, set a cool temperature. Blow dry the cap first, and blow dry the hair later.
4. Don't twist and wing your wig when washing the wig, which can break the hair strands and lead to tangles.
5. Don't use hot water to wash your wig. In addition, avoid saltwater and chlorine to prevent damage to the hair strands.
6. Don't wash the wig too often. Overwashing can damage your hair cuticle and shorten the lifespan of the wig.

Should I Wash My Wig Before Wearing It

It is a common question most people have. Whether to wash your wig before wearing it is a personal choice. 

Human hair wigs come pre-washed and styled before shipping. And the wig surface was applied with conditioners to keep the wig moistured. Some people may feel ok with this and choose to install the wig directly. However, some people may don't like the smell of the wig. They prefer a more freshly wig with her shampoo smell.

But please keep in mind that every time you wash the wig, it will shorten the lifespan of your wig more or less. So make your decision according to your preference.

When Should I Wash My Wig

It depends on how often you wear the wig and how the wig's appearance looks. If the hair strands start tangling and become sticky, the wig loses its shine and turns dull, and the hair curls or waves become limp, or it starts to smell, it is time to wash your lace wig.

How Often Should I Wash My Human Hair Wig

In general, a human hair wig should be washed after 6-8 wears. But there are many other factors that may affect the washing frequency.

1 Wearing habit. For example, if you use styling products like mousses or hairspray on your wig every day, it causes product buildup and can damage your hair wig in the long run. Then your wig needs to be washed more often than those who do not use styling products, about every two weeks.

2 Environment. If you live in a very rainy or humid city, or you need to attend many outside activities, you may also need to wash your wig more often.

3 Hair wig texture. As we all know, wigs come with many different textures, like bone straight, wavy, curly, and more. Curly wigs are high-maintained wigs than other types of wigs. Thus, you should pay more attention to cleaning and maintaining your curly hair wig.

4 Exercise intensity. If you love doing high-intensity exercise activities and sweat a lot, you'd better do a quick wash for your wig. Apply a few accounts of shampoo to wash your wig and apply a moisturizing conditioner, then rinse up and let it air dry.

How To Clean And Renew Your Lace Wigs

Now that we have learned how to wash a new human hair wig. Some beauty may ask, is it the same steps to wash a wig after removing it from the head?

Not really. Most of the washing steps and caring methods are the same, but there are still some little differences we need to pick out to give you a specific explanation.

Unlike a new wig, a used wig is prone to be more difficult and complex to wash. Here are the extra things you need to do for an old lace front wig and make it vibrant again.

1. Remove the glue or tape. For a worn wig, you need to clean the residue and the adhesive on the lace from the last wear. There are two methods to remove the glue on your wig. With alcohol and without alcohol.

With alcohol: The most common way to remove glue and tape is using alcohol. It is quick and convenient. Use a small sponge to dip alcohol or a bottle to spray alcohol on the lace of the wig. Wait for 5 to 10 minutes until the glue becomes soft enough, then use a warm towel to rub the glue gently until the whole lace is clear.

Without alcohol: There are so many ways to move the glue without alcohol. One of the easiest, safest, and gentlest ways to remove glue is by using Vaseline. 

All you need to do is take an ample amount of Vaseline and spread it in your entire hairline where the front lace is. Wait for one to two minutes, and check if the glue is soft enough to be removed without exerting too much force. Then use a warm wet towel to remove the adhesive and the residue of the Vaseline. Repeat applying Vaseline if needed to have the desired result.

2. Shampoo your whole wig with wig shampoo. Apply some shampoo to your hand and rub it until foaming. Then wipe evenly on the hair strands and lace. This step is to clean the hair and the glue thoroughly. If there is still some stubborn glue left on the lace, you can use a small toothbrush to clean it again.

FAQ

Can you wash a wig with regular shampoo?

You should not wash your wig with regular shampoo, no matter human hair wigs or synthetic wigs. It is an unexpected answer for those who use the same shampoo to wash natural hair and human hair wig. 

The reason is that regular shampoo contains chemicals appropriate for your natural hair but detrimental to your wig. The chemicals can cause the product to oxidize on the hair, thus deteriorating the quality and color of the wig.

Also, regular shampoos always contain surfactants that are used to remove oils from your natural hair. But it can lead your wig dry and increase the rate of shedding.

What kind of shampoo should I use for a human hair wig?

We recommend you choose the wig shampoo sulfate-free and paraben-free specially designed for wigs. The formula should be lightweight, buildup-free, and non-drying can remove makeup, glue, gel, oil, and more from your unit. Or you can opt for a shampoo with naturally moisturizing ingredients to keep the shine to the hair on the wig, such as jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive oil, and so on.

The easiest way to choose a shampoo that can be used on a wig is to look for phrases like “wig shampoo” or “for wigs” on the packaging.

How to make a human hair wig silky?

1 Wash your wig in time. 

2 Follow the correct method to wash and maintain your wig.

3 Go for a high-quality moisturizing shampoo to wash your wig.

4 Apply deep conditioner or hair mask to make your human hair wig moisturized and silky.

Which method is recommended for drying a wig after cleaning?

There are many methods to dry your lace front wig after cleaning. The comment ways to dry wigs like air dry, blow dry, and using a dry microfiber towel to dry. It is recommended to dry your wig with a clean and dry microfiber towel to squeeze excess water. Then place your lace wig on a wig stand in a ventilated place, and air dry.

How to moisturize human hair wigs?

1. Apply hair oil to keep your wig well-hydrated. It is critical to complement moisture and nutrients by using hair oils like coconut oil, Jojoba Oil, and Macadamia Oil since wigs can not absorb moisture and nutrients from the scalp as your natural hair do.

2 Choose moisturizing shampoo and conditioner specially designed for human hair wigs.

Conclusion

All in all, correct washing and maintaining a human hair wig play a vital role in keeping your hair last longer. In addition, hair quality is also very important, where can you find a high-quality wig? Here in Hermosa Hair, you can find premium quality human hair wigs all in need. If you have more creative ideas about washing and caring for human hair wigs, welcome to email us or leave your comment below.