Sometimes in life it’s good to go back to the basics. We all get into a rut with our normal routines, occasionally subbing in a few shortcuts or skipping a step or two. Caring for wigs is no exception. Whether you’ve washed your wig 5 times or 55 times, adopting a solid method will extend its beautiful life, keep it tangle free and lustrous, and minimize stretching or damage to the cap. Let’s take a stroll back through the tried and true rules of wig washing to see how your methods match up!
Get Out Those Snarls
Rubbing, tossing, clipping, wind blowing, and just general friction throughout the day can create tangles throughout your tresses. The first thing to do when you’re preparing to wash your wig is to gently removed those bits of roughness with a wide tooth comb. Never use a brush made for natural hair on your wig, as it can pull and distend the individual fibers and lead to damage and loss. Start at the nape of the neck (which is always where tangles go to hide) and, working from the ends to the roots, ease your comb through until all the hair is smooth.
Work In Those Suds
Begin by filling a sink or basin with cool water. Hot water will wreak havoc on those fibers, especially if they are synthetic or a synthetic blend. Submerge your wig into the water. Dispense a capful of wig shampoo (again, DO NOT use products made for natural hair on your wig) into the palm of your hand, and work into loose suds. Next, gently distribute the suds through the tresses beginning at the roots and working your way down. If you have a human hair wig, avoid too much concentration at the roots, which can damage the hand-tied strands.
Rinse and Repeat
It is important to remove every last trace of shampoo. Under either running water or a fresh basin of cool water take your time getting the soap out, and be sure to give it a second rinse with cool water. While rinsing do not scrunch or wring the fibers, rather just allow the water to move through the length.
Conditioning Makes a Difference
To restore luster and manageability it’s helpful to apply a high-quality wig conditioner. Begin at the bottom, and work your way up. Pay special and generous attention to the ends, but be frugal with the amount towards the scalp. Let the wig rest for 3-5 minutes to allow the conditioner to absorb.
One Final Rinse
The rinse to remove the conditioner is less critical than the shampoo rinses. In fact, leaving a tiny bit of the conditioner in the hair is not only acceptable, it can also make styling easier and keep the static electricity down. Give it a few dunks, and you should be good to go.
Dry and Style
Depending on the makeup of your wig (synthetic, human hair, or a blend like Envyhair) you will likely have your own preferred method of drying and styling. Remember to never blow dry a synthetic wig, as the heat will greatly damage the strand. If you have a human hair or Envyhair wig you can either air dry or blow dry depending on your preference. Storing a wig while drying is easiest on a wig stand, which allows the air to circulate nicely and helps keep the shape of the wig pert and perfect.
And there you have it—the basics of washing your wig. If you’re a wig washing pro and have a few tips of your own to share, let us know! Our biggest tip for ease of washing and wearing is simply to have two Envy wigs in your favorite style. Washing two together makes for a long, easy stretch of low-maintenance wearing, and you’ll appreciate having a fresh backup waiting in the wings.
