Washing a Wig

1. Brushing out the fibers of a wig is the first step involved in the washing process. Without brushing the wig, tangles and knots are only made worse once the wig is washed in water. Using a wig brush, a wide-tooth comb, or just fingers, gently brushes out the wig's fibers. The most effective method for brushing is to begin at the tips of the hair, carefully combing in a downward motion. From there, slowly work up the hairs to the wig's roots, until the entire wig has been thoroughly brushed.

2. Bathing the wig in water, and then shampooing it, is the next step involved in washing a wig. A sink or bathtub should be filled with lukewarm water. Any temperature higher than that can damage the wig's fibers. Users should note that there is a slight, yet crucial, difference in shampooing synthetic wigs and Real Hair Wigs.

3. The rinsing aspect of washing a wig is particularly important. If not done correctly, the wig can become very tangled. Once the shampoo has been applied throughout the wig and its cap, it must be carefully rinsed with, preferably, cold water. The direction of the water flow is crucial in order to maintain a smooth and silky wig. The water should flow in the direction of the wig's hair, from root to tip. If water flows in any other direction, tangling can easily occur. The wig must be rinsed thoroughly, to ensure that no shampoo is left in the fibers. Buildup of leftover product can lead to a greasy, matted look.

4. Applying conditioner to the human hair wigs is relatively similar to applying conditioner to normal human hair. A small amount of product should be dolloped onto the washer's hand, and then distributed throughout the wig's fibers, from root to tip. For best results, wig conditioner should be massaged into small sections of hair. The product should then be rinsed from the fibers as described above. If a conditioning spray is used, it should be applied from at least 10 inches away from the wig. Be sure to spray it evenly over all the fibers. Conditioning sprays are typically leave-in products and do not need to be rinsed from the wig.

5. The physical washing process is not enough. The wig must still be dried in a specific manner in order for the entire procedure to effectively maintain the wig. Wigs should also never be brushed while wet, although the drying process can be sped up by blotting the hairpiece with a towel. Never wring the water out of a wig, and avoid drying it in direct sunlight, as this can cause the color to fade.