Wigs are a compelling beauty accessory that can boost anyone’s confidence. They are great for almost anyone who wants to change up their hair without making the commitment. However, they can be tricky to care for.
Most wigs are expensive, but they are worth the money if you invest in a high-quality wig. Because you’re spending a lot of money on a wig, you’ll need to learn how to take care of one if you want it to last a lifetime. So, always wash your wig regularly.
The most popular wigs are made of human hair or synthetic fibers. Some salons and stylists recommended washing human hair wigs with a gentle shampoo or conditioner. However, for synthetic wigs, fabric softener will be your go-to product.
You will need some other tools to help maintain your wig. For example, you should have a nice comb for detangling and a wig head to keep the shape of your wig intact. All of this and more is crucial to keeping your wig looking brand new.
How do you wash a wig with fabric softener? Fabric softener is excellent for synthetic wigs because it detangles your hair and softens the strands without pressure. You’ll want to avoid scrubbing because it can alter the wig’s appearance.
To see a step-by-step tutorial and some tips on maintaining the integrity of your wigs, keep reading! We’ve got all that and more for you below.
Human Hair Vs. Synthetic
The main difference between human hair wigs and synthetic wigs is that human hair takes real human hair to construct the wig. Meanwhile, synthetic wigs are made from synthetic fibers such as acrylic or nylon that give a soft and shiny appearance that can sometimes be more durable.
Because they have contrasting textures and make-up, taking care of a human hair wig is different from a synthetic wig.
Usually, human hair wigs can be cleaned with a little bit of shampoo and conditioner, but double-check with your stylist if you’re in doubt.
However, synthetic wigs can be washed with a fabric softener. The fabric softener will act as a conditioner for the synthetic fibers. Not all hair products can clean wigs, but fabric softener is safe for synthetic wigs.
If you’re considering going the shampoo and conditioner route instead, this set is a fantastic one to run by your stylist to see if it will work for your wigs.
How Often Do You Wash A Wig?
A wig should be washed about every two weeks. If you wear a wig every day, then washing it every two weeks will ensure you maintain your wig’s integrity. This will ensure your wig maintains its structure and looks brand new as if you just bought it.
Every wig will have instructions or directions from the manufacturers. So, if you aren’t sure how to take care of your wig, you can follow the directions to ensure you can make it last.
Another sign that it’s time to wash your wig is if it feels stiff and oily. These are signs that it’s been too long since your last wash day or there is product build-up leftover from styling.
Why Should You Wash Your Wig?
Synthetic wigs can become lifeless or dull quickly, especially if you wear them often. It can also become tangled or matted if you don’t maintain it frequently. If you’ve spent a lot of money on your wig, you will want to take care of it well.
Thankfully, you can easily wash synthetic wigs with a fabric softener. As mentioned earlier, fabric softener will act as a conditioner for synthetic fibers. So, if your wig has ever felt stiff, this is where fabric softener can condition and restore it.
How To Wash Your Wig With Fabric Softener
Thankfully, washing your wig with fabric softener isn’t a daunting task. All you need is your fabric softener of choice and water. However, you will want to avoid heat or hot water. Heat can damage your wig and diminish the integrity of the synthetic fibers.
There are a few methods that can help revamp your wig. For example, you can mist your fabric softener and water mixture on the wig, or you can leave your wig to soak.
If you are ready to find out more, let’s go through each step on how to revitalize your wig!
1. Detangle
First, you will need to detangle your wig. Take a wide-tooth comb and slowly work your way from the bottom of the strands to the top. This is the gentlest method to detangling hair, and it’s the same process as detangling your real hair.
Detangling your hair is crucial because it will be easier to work with a smooth base. Think of it as a primer or the foundation of a house. A tangle-free wig will also ensure that the fabric softener coats the strands evenly.
2. Mist or Soak
Now that your wig is detangled, it’s time to wash! There are two main ways to clean your wig with a fabric softener. The first is to mist your wig with fabric softener as you would a leave-in conditioner, and the second is to let your wig soak in the softener.
The spray will allow you to quickly maintain your wig, while they soak will help with extremely dirty, oily, or stiff wigs. So, it will be up to you and your wig’s standing to decide what method is best.
- Misting
If you plan to mist your wig, you will need your fabric softener, cold water, and a spray bottle. A wig block will come in handy when you spray your wig to mist the mixture evenly and help the wig maintain its shape even while it’s wet.
You’ll want to work in sections from bottom to top and spray the wig liberally. The wig should be wet and entirely covered by your spray. Next, gently dab the wig with a cloth to remove excess water.
However, rubbing strands can damage your wig’s silky texture, so a gentle pat is all it needs.
Finally, let it air dry on the wig block. As mentioned earlier, you’ll want to avoid any kind of heat, especially with synthetic wigs. Cold water and air-drying your wig will be the best method.
- Soaking
If your wig needs a deep clean or a little TLC, soaking it in fabric softener and water can help restore it. To wash your synthetic wig, you will need fabric softener, cold water, a basin or bowl, and some recipes call for dishwashing liquid too.
You’ll want to add all of your liquids into the bowl and mix it well to prepare for your wig. At this stage, your wig should be detangled and ready to go. Then, you can add the wig to the fabric softener mixture and let it soak for at least two hours.
Once the time is up, you can rinse it with cold water, dab the excess moisture with a cloth and allow it to air dry on a wig block.
3. Brush When Dry
No matter if you sprayed or soaked your wig, you’ll want to brush the wig gently once it has thoroughly dried. Finally, you’ll be left with a silky, soft, and smooth wig that looks brand new.
How To Maintain Your Wig
What other methods help your wig stand the test of time? You can implement a few extra tips to ensure your wig holds its structure. It’s essential to use these tips if you wear a wig daily.
1. Wash Regularly
We repeatedly mentioned that washing your wig will keep it looking shiny, healthy, and intact. Hairpieces can be expensive, so you will want to maintain them with care. Wigs can last a lifetime when they are treated right.
2. Avoid Sleeping In Your Wig
Sleeping in your wig can cause all sorts of problems. Sure, it won’t be the end of the world if it accidentally happens once or twice, but it can cause tangles. It won’t be that comfortable for you or the wig if you sleep in it overnight.
3. Use A Wig Block
Investing in a wig block is vital. A wig block is a proper way to store your wigs when you aren’t wearing them. The wig block will help keep the shape of your wig so it doesn’t become disfigured.
This is especially helpful when your wig is wet and can become damaged quickly. Also, wig blocks will help your wig dry in the correct shape.
The Takeaway
Overall, washing your wig with fabric softener is incredibly easy.
As a general rule of thumb, you should wash your wig every two weeks or as directed by your wig manufacturer. Fabric softener will act as a leave-in treatment or conditioner for the wig.
You can either spray down your wig with fabric softener and water, or you can let your wig soak in that mixture for a few hours.
Regardless of what method you choose, you’ll want to detangle your wig beforehand so the fabric softener can easily coat the strands.
Once you either mist or soak your wig, gently dab off excess moisture and leave it to air dry on a wig block. Avoid heat, hot water, and rubbing the wig because this can all damage the strands and the wig’s structure.
Now your wig will be clean and ready even if you wear it daily. So say goodbye to dull strands!
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