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Investing in a quality human hair wig is a big commitment. These luxurious hairpieces can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. So naturally, you’ll want to take good care of your investment by properly washing and maintaining your human hair wig.

Follow this comprehensive guide to learn everything you need to know about washing human hair wigs, from start to finish. With the right products, techniques, and regular care, your human hair wig will continue looking fabulous for many years to come.

Why Should You Wash Your Human Hair Wig?

Washing is an essential part of caring for human hair wigs. Here are some key reasons why regular washing is so important:

• Removes dirt, oil, and product buildup – Daily wear and styling products can leave residue that makes hair appear dull and tangled. Washing removes impurities so your wig stays fresh and shiny.
• Reduces frizz and tangling – Shampooing helps remove knots and loosens curls to minimize frizz. Detangling is much easier with freshly washed hair.
• Maintains softness and shine – Conditioner deposits moisture into the hair cuticle for a smooth, silky texture and healthy-looking luster.
• Prolongs lifespan – Regular cleansing clears away pollutants that can degrade and damage hair over time. Washing preserves quality and extends your wig’s usable life.
• Prevents odor – Perspiration and environmental pollutants can cause bad odors. Washing eliminates unpleasant wig smells.

How Often Should You Wash Your Human Hair Wig?

Hair experts typically recommend washing human hair wigs every 7 to 14 wears. However, exactly how often you need to wash depends on several factors:

• Wear frequency – If worn daily, wash at least every 7-10 days. For occasional use, every 2-3 weeks is fine.
• Hair texture – Very curly and coily wigs may need more frequent washing to avoid matting. Wavy and straight styles can go longer between washes.
• Product buildup – Lots of heavy styling products will create residue that necessitates more frequent cleansing.
• Activity level – Active sports or exercise wearing a wig causes more sweat and oil buildup, so you’ll need to wash more regularly.
• Environment – Humid and polluted areas can accelerate wig soiling, as can cigarette smoke exposure. Adjust washing frequency accordingly.

Get in the habit of visually inspecting and feeling your human hair wig all over. Learn to recognize when it’s developing knots, looking greasy, or feeling overly dirty – then you’ll know it’s time for a wash.

Detangling Before Washing Your Human Hair Wig

Before washing, it’s crucial to properly detangle your human hair wig. Matted, knotted hair is much harder to wash and condition thoroughly.

Follow these tips for easy, painless detangling:

• Use a wide-tooth comb, brush, or your fingers to gently detangle from the ends up. Never start detangling at the roots.
• Spray wig detangler or leave-in conditioner to help the comb glide smoothly through the hair without snagging or pulling.
• Avoid yanking – take your time working through knots patiently.
• If using a detangling brush, hold hair above the knots as you brush so hair doesn’t rip out.
• Separate hair into sections to make detangling more manageable.
• Add more detangler as needed – re-wetting hair can also help loosen knots.

Thorough detangling before shampooing prevents further tangling and damage to the hair during the washing process.

How To Wash Human Hair Wigs Step-By-Step

Follow these steps exactly for best results washing your human hair wig at home:

Gather Your Materials

• Wig shampoo and conditioner
• Wide tooth comb or detangling brush
• 2 large, clean sinks/basins for washing and rinsing or a sprayer nozzle for sink
• Towels
• [Wig stand](internal link to wig stand product category)
• Leave-in conditioner or serum for finishing

Mix Shampoo

Fill one sink with cool water. Swirl a quarter-sized amount of a mild, sulfate-free wig shampoo like [Design Essentials Natural Daily Cleansing Cream Shampoo](internal link to product) into the water. More shampoo isn’t better – start with a small amount.

Soak the Wig

Submerge your detangled human hair wig into the sudsy water, allowing it to become fully saturated. If needed, press the wig gently to help it become immersed.

Tip: Turn the wig inside out before soaking to better target dirt and oils at the base of the hair follicles.

Cleanse

Allow the wig to soak for 2-5 minutes so the shampoo can penetrate the hair. Then, gently swirl and massage the fibers – don’t scrub vigorously. Carefully rinse out the shampoo until the water runs clear.

Pro Tip: Use a sprayer nozzle on your sink for easy, focused rinsing.

Condition

Move your wig to the second sink filled with fresh cool water. Work a quarter-sized amount of wig conditioner like [Mizani Thermasmooth Conditioner](internal link to product) through the hair, distributing it evenly from roots to ends.

Rinse and Detangle

After 1-2 minutes, thoroughly rinse out the conditioner. Use a wide-tooth comb or brush to gently detangle the hair again while conditioner is still on the strands.

Dry and Style

After washing, remove excess moisture from your human hair wig by patting with a towel or allowing it to air dry somewhat on a wig stand. Add a smoothing serum or leave-in conditioner before heat styling if desired.

And that’s it – washing a human hair wig is easy when you follow the proper steps! Taking the time to gently cleanse, condition, detangle and air dry your wig will keep the hair fibers looking healthy, soft and shiny.

Q&A About Washing Human Hair Wigs

Still have questions about the best way to clean your human hair wig? Here are some common wig washing FAQs:

Can I use regular shampoo on a human hair wig?

It’s best to use a sulfate-free shampoo made specifically for human hair wigs or extensions. Sulfates can be harsh and drying for processed human hair.

How often should I deep clean my wig?

Every 6-8 weeks, use a clarifying shampoo like Design Essentials Natural Super Cleaning Cream to remove stubborn buildup. Rinse thoroughly and follow with a hydrating conditioner.

Should I wash human hair wigs with hot water?

No! Hot water can damage and dry out processed human hair. Always use lukewarm or cool water when washing human hair wigs.

Can I wash in the shower instead of sinks?

Yes, as long as you’re able to gently massage the wig fibers while washing and thoroughly rinse out products under the shower stream. Avoid harsh water pressure.

How do I wash wig glue off a lace front wig?

Fill a sink with cool water and mix in a teaspoon of dish soap. Allow the wig to soak, then gently massage the soap into the lace and along the hairline to dissolve the bonded adhesive. Rinse thoroughly.

Can I use fabric softener when rinsing my wig?

No! Fabric softeners will leave unwanted residue on the hair that can dull the shine. Always rinse with clean water only.

How should I dry my wig after washing?

After gently patting out excess moisture with a towel, allow your human hair wig to air dry on a mannequin head or styling stand. Air drying ensures the wig dries uniformly and prevents uneven heat damage.

Detangling & Conditioning Tips for Human Hair Wigs

To keep your human hair wig looking its best, detangling and deep conditioning in between washes is also recommended. Here are some tips:

• Every few wears, spritz a silicone-free detangler like [Mizani Coconut Souffle Light Hair Dressing](internal link) onto dry hair and gently comb through knots.
• Use a wide tooth comb for curly textures, and opt for a vented brush for straight hair wigs. Never brush the hair starting at the roots.
• Divide hair into sections prior to detangling to make the process easier.
• When washing less frequently, use a cleansing conditioner ([Design Essentials Natural Daily Cleansing Conditioner](internal link)) to refresh hair in between shampoos.
• Monthly, treat your wig to an intensive hydrating mask like [Mizani MoistureFusion Intense Moisture Mask](internal link). Leave on 15+ minutes before rinsing out thoroughly.

Proper detangling and conditioning leaves your human hair wig touchably soft, smooth, and easier to style. Don’t skip these crucial steps in between washes!

Heat Styling Your Human Hair Wig: 6 Must-Follow Tips

One of the amazing benefits of human hair wigs is the ability to style them with hot tools, just like bio hair. However, heat damage is still a risk. Follow these rules to safely heat style your human hair wig:

1. Detangle First

Comb through the wig beforehand to remove knots and ensure the fibers are aligned, reducing chances of heat damage.

2. Use a Heat Protectant

Spritzing a heat protectant like [Design Essentials Natural Daily Defense Oil](internal link) creates a protective barrier against excessive heat exposure.

3. Adjust Heat Setting

Use the lowest effective temperature on flat irons and curling wands to achieve the style. Thick or coarser hair can handle more heat than fine, fragile strands.

4. Work Quickly and Carefully

Don’t concentrate heat on one spot for too long, and handle hair gently. Rushing increases risks of burning and breakage.

5. Let Hair Cool

Before re-styling, always allow the wig to come down to room temperature. Running fingers through still-hot hair causes damage.

6. Alternate Styling Methods

Avoid applying hot tools to the same wig day after day. Give hair a break by using velcro rollers, braids, or heatless methods like banding or [Bantu knots](internal link to Bantu knot styling guide).

While human hair can withstand occasional heat styling much better than synthetic fibers, repeated high heat exposure still takes its toll over time in the form of dryness, breakage, and an uneven texture. Carefully follow these tips and your wig will always look great!

Maintaining and Storing Your Human Hair Wig

Caring for human hair wigs doesn’t stop once you’ve washed, conditioned and styled the hair. Proper maintenance and storage in between wears is also essential. Here are some key habits for keeping wigs in optimal shape:

• When not being worn, always place your human hair wig on a secure wig or styling head to hold its shape.
• Store wigs on heads or stands in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight and heat to prevent fading and drying.
• To minimize shedding, hold the ends of the hair securely when brushing and detangling. Regular trims can also reduce shedding.
• Use satin bonnets or pillowcases when sleeping in wigs to minimize friction that causes breakage.
• When traveling, pack wigs inside carry-on luggage to prevent crushing and use wig caps to protect styling.
• Stick to wig-safe accessories like soft headbands. Avoid harsh metal clips and tight elastics that can catch and pull out hair.
• Prior to swimming or heavy activity, protective braiding or bunning hairstyles can keep wigs secure and minimize chlorine/salt exposure.

By keeping these easy maintenance and storage habits, your investment in a quality human hair wig will deliver beautiful, long-lasting results season after season. Show your wig lots of TLC and it will do the same for your locks and confidence in return!

Conclusion

Washing and caring for human hair wigs properly keeps them looking fabulous and minimizes unnecessary wear and tear. Now that you know these insider tricks, you can keep your wigs clean, tangle-free, conditioned, and styled to perfection for the long haul.

Remember to:

• Wash, don’t over wash (every 7-14 wears is ideal)
• Always thoroughly detangle before and after washing
• Use only professional wig care products
• Wash, condition and air dry gently to avoid damage
• Heat style cautiously by following key heat protectant steps
• Maintain wig shape and quality in between wears through proper storage and handling

With this comprehensive wig washing and care guide, your human hair wig is sure to deliver years of flawless beauty, style versatility, and confidence boosting luxury. So take good care of that precious hairpiece – because it takes good care of you!