How to Wash Human Hair Wigs Correctly
Washing a human hair wig the right way is the single biggest thing you can do to protect your investment. Done well, a wash restores softness, bounce and shine — done badly, it causes shedding, tangling and a lace that never lays flat again.
7 min readUpdated Nov 2, 2026
What you will need
- A wide-tooth comb or wig brush
- Sulphate-free shampoo and a moisturising conditioner
- A deep conditioning mask (or a DIY mix with a few drops of hair oil)
- A clean towel and a wig stand or mannequin head
- A basin or sink with lukewarm water
Step-by-step: washing your wig
- 1
Detangle before water touches the hair
Comb from the ends upward, holding the hair near the weft so you don't pull it out. Detangling dry, knotted hair in water turns knots into permanent matting.
- 2
Rinse with lukewarm water, flowing downward
Hold the wig at the top like a shower curtain and let water run from roots to ends. Hot water lifts the cuticle and dries the hair out; cold water won't rinse products properly.
- 3
Shampoo gently, in one direction
Dilute a small amount of sulphate-free shampoo in water, then smooth it through the hair with your fingers — think of it as stroking, not scrubbing. Never bunch the hair up or rub it between your palms like laundry.
- 4
Condition and deep condition
Rinse the shampoo out completely, then apply conditioner from mid-length to ends. For a deeper treatment, cover with a shower cap and let it sit 20–30 minutes before rinsing with cool water to seal the cuticle.
- 5
Blot — don't wring
Squeeze water out by pressing the hair gently in a towel. Twisting or wringing stretches and snaps the hair, and pulls hairs from the wefts and lace knots.
- 6
Air dry on a wig stand
Place the wig on a stand so it keeps its shape and dries evenly. If you must speed things up, use a blow dryer on cool or low heat with a heat protectant — never high heat on soaking wet hair.
How often should you wash?
| How you wear it | How often to wash | Refresh between washes |
|---|---|---|
| Daily wear with product build-up | Every 1–2 weeks | Co-wash or mist with leave-in |
| Occasional wear (1–3 times a week) | Every 8–12 wears | Brush out and mist lightly |
| Sleeping in the wig | Weekly | Satin cap every night, without fail |
| Gym, swimming or heavy sweat | After every 2–3 sessions | Rinse sweat out with water after each session |
Mistakes that ruin wigs
- Washing with hot water — it dries the hair and loosens lace glue.
- Using harsh, sulphate-heavy shampoos meant for your scalp, not your unit.
- Scrubbing in circles, which creates frizz and tangles instantly.
- Drying in direct sunlight, which fades colour and weakens the hair.
- Brushing soaking wet hair — wait until it's damp or use a wide-tooth comb in the shower.
A clean wash routine is also the best moment to inspect your unit: check the lace for lifting edges, the wefts for loose threads and the ends for dryness. Catching small issues early is what separates wigs that last six months from wigs that last two years.
Recommended at PORSH
Short, blunt-cut styles like the Blunt Cut Bob are the easiest wigs to maintain — less hair to detangle, faster wash days.