How to Wash, Store and Make Your Wig Last Longer

A wig is an investment, and the way you care for it decides whether it looks fresh for months or turns dry and tangled after a few weeks. The good news is that wig care is simple once you have a routine. This guide covers washing, conditioning, detangling, styling, sleeping, traveling and storage, for both human hair and synthetic wigs.

If you have not chosen your wig yet, our beginner wig guide and our comparison of human hair vs synthetic wigs are good places to start.

How often should you wash a wig?

A wig does not get oily the way natural hair does, because it is not attached to the scalp. Washing too often dries it out and shortens its life. As a general guide:

Wear frequency	Human hair wig	Synthetic wig
Daily	About every 7 to 10 wears	About every 6 to 8 wears
A few times a week	About every 2 to 3 weeks	About every 2 to 3 weeks
Occasionally	When it looks dull or smells of products	When it loses bounce

Wash more often if you use a lot of styling products, wear the wig during workouts, or live in a humid climate.

What you need

• A wide-tooth comb and a wig brush or soft paddle brush
• A gentle sulfate-free shampoo and a moisturizing conditioner
• Synthetic-safe shampoo and conditioner for synthetic wigs
• A basin or clean sink
• A microfiber towel
• A wig stand or mannequin head
• Heat protectant spray for human hair wigs

How to wash a human hair wig

1. Detangle first. Gently comb from the ends up to the roots while the wig is dry, holding the hair above the section you are combing.
2. Remove products and adhesive. If you used glue on the lace, remove residue carefully with a remover made for lace wigs.
3. Rinse with lukewarm water, letting it run downward from root to tip. Avoid hot water.
4. Shampoo gently. Apply a small amount and smooth it down the hair. Do not rub or scrunch, which causes tangles.
5. Clean the cap and lace lightly with your fingertips.
6. Condition from mid-lengths to ends, avoiding the lace and knots to prevent shedding. Leave it on for a few minutes.
7. Rinse thoroughly with cool water to seal the cuticle.
8. Blot dry with a microfiber towel. Never wring or twist.
9. Apply leave-in conditioner and detangle with a wide-tooth comb.
10. Air-dry on a wig stand, or blow-dry on low heat with a heat protectant.

Deep conditioning

Human hair in a wig does not receive natural oils from a scalp, so it benefits from a deep conditioning treatment every few washes. Apply a mask, cover the wig with a shower cap for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse well.

How to wash a synthetic wig

1. Detangle gently with a wide-tooth comb.
2. Fill a basin with cool water and a little synthetic-safe shampoo.
3. Submerge the wig and swish it gently for a few minutes. Do not rub.
4. Rinse in clean cool water.
5. Apply synthetic-safe conditioner, leave briefly and rinse.
6. Blot with a towel and let it air-dry on a stand. Never use a hair dryer unless the wig is labeled heat-friendly, and then only on the setting the manufacturer allows.

Curly synthetic wigs should be finger-combed rather than brushed, to keep the curl pattern intact.

Detangling without damage

• Always start at the ends and work up.
• Hold the hair above the section you are combing to avoid pulling on the knots.
• Use a detangling spray or leave-in conditioner.
• Pay extra attention to the nape, where friction with collars and scarves causes knots, especially in winter.

Styling with heat

Human hair wigs can be curled, straightened and blow-dried, but heat is the main cause of dryness. Use a heat protectant, keep tools at a moderate temperature and avoid passing the same section repeatedly. For synthetic wigs, use heat only if the fiber is heat-friendly and stay within the maximum temperature listed by the manufacturer.

Sleeping, working out and daily wear

• Remove the wig at night whenever possible, and place it on a stand.
• If you must sleep in it, braid or loosely tie the hair and use a satin scarf or bonnet, and a silk or satin pillowcase.
• During workouts, tie the hair up and use a sweatband to protect the lace from sweat.
• In winter, line hats with satin and avoid wool scarves rubbing against the ends.
• In summer and humid climates, use anti-frizz products on human hair wigs.

How to store a wig

• Keep wigs you wear often on a wig stand or mannequin head to preserve shape.
• For longer storage, braid or loosely tie the hair, put it in a hairnet, and keep it in a breathable bag or box away from sunlight and heat.
• Never store a wig damp, which can cause odors and damage.
• Keep wigs away from heaters, radiators and car dashboards.

Traveling with a wig

Pack the wig in a hairnet inside a satin bag or a dedicated wig case, with the cap turned inside out and the hair folded gently. Bring a small travel comb, leave-in conditioner and a folding wig stand if possible.

Signs it is time to replace your wig

• Excessive shedding or thin areas
• Lace that is torn or stretched
• Hair that stays dry and tangled even after deep conditioning
• Synthetic fibers that are frizzy or matted at the ends

When it is time for a new wig, measure your head again, as your preferences may have changed; see how to measure your head for a wig and our guide to lace front, full lace and glueless wigs. You can also compare new styles on WigBae, our sister wig shop.

Wig care checklist

• Detangle gently before and after every wear.
• Wash only when needed, with gentle products.
• Keep conditioner away from the lace and knots.
• Use heat protectant on human hair; no high heat on synthetic.
• Store on a stand or in a breathable bag.
• Protect the wig at night and during workouts.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use regular shampoo on a wig?

Human hair wigs can be washed with a gentle sulfate-free shampoo. Synthetic wigs need products made for synthetic fibers.

Why is my wig shedding?

Some shedding is normal. It increases when hair is brushed roughly, when conditioner is applied to the knots, or when the lace is handled harshly.

How do I make a synthetic wig soft again?

Wash it with synthetic-safe products and use a conditioner or fabric-softener-style rinse designed for synthetic wigs. Heavily frizzed synthetic ends usually need trimming.

Can I swim with a wig?

It is best to avoid it. Chlorine and salt water dry out hair and damage lace. If you do, rinse and condition the wig as soon as possible.

Always follow the care instructions provided by your wig’s manufacturer.