How to Wash a Wig

Video Transcript

JACKIE SILVER: I'm Jackie Silver with how to wash a wig. Washing a wig does not have to be a complicated procedure. Whether the wig is made of synthetic hair or real human hair, you can get a good result by washing it yourself. For synthetic wigs, fill a large bowl or the sink with cool water and add a cupful of synthetic wig shampoo. You can add a teaspoon of baking soda to neutralize odors that the wig may have picked up like cigarette smoke. Gently swirl the wig in the water until it becomes saturated. Scrub the wig cap where it meets the forehead to remove dirt and makeup. Soak the wig for another 15 minutes then empty the water and rinse with cool water. If you have a curly wig, you want to make sure the water is cool or the curls may relax. Gently squeeze the wig to remove excess water and lay it on an absorbent towel. You can spray on some leave-in conditioner if you'd like to make it easier to style. Once the wig is completely dry, you can restyle it with a wig pick. Don't use a brush. For human hair wigs, the directions are the same but instead of cool water use lukewarm water and a shampoo made for human hair wigs. You can also put rollers in the human hair wig and let it dry overnight. Remember when washing a wig, be sure to use only shampoo that is specially formulated for the type of wig you're washing, whether synthetic or human hair, and make sure to dry the wig completely before wearing it.