
How to Wash a Wig: Caring for Your Latest Hair Obsession
It's easier than you think!
Learning how to wash your wig and properly care for it plays an essential role in the lifespan of your hairpiece. Proper care can make your wig last a lot longer while improper methods can quickly do a lot of damage. Today, we’re discussing how to wash a wig and taking you through the steps one by one. While they are definitely specific, the instructions are also relatively simple. Here’s the rundown of the correct way to wash a wig:
How to Wash a Wig

Step 1: Getting Started
It’s best to wash your wig under a faucet that leaves plenty of room for the wig to spread out without getting tangled up. A large sink or a bathtub is ideal. Start by holding the wig at the top near the part and getting it wet as you would with your natural hair. It’s important that you use a firm hold near the part to ensure that the wig doesn’t become tangled while you’re cleaning it.
Step 2: Wash and Condition
If your wig is made of human hair you’ll want to use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner like SheaMoisture Wig & Weave Tea Tree & Borage Seed Oil Residue Remover Shampoo and SheaMoisture Wig Conditioner and Detangler. Lather the shampoo up near the part and work your way down through the rest of the wig. Be careful as you lather to ensure that you don’t ruin the cap of the wig. Shampoo near the roots and make sure to get the hair that sits at the nape of the neck, as well. This area is prone to knots and oils. After rinsing your wig, follow up with the coordinating conditioner.
Step 3: Air Dry
While you can blow dry your wig, it’s preferable to let your wig air dry overnight. This will minimize the damage done to the hair and your wig will last much longer! Carefully wrap the wig in a towel and gently squeeze it dry. After that, set the wig up on a styrofoam head to dry overnight.
Step 4: Comb Through
Spritz the wig with Sheamoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Moisturizing Detangler and very gently comb through the hair. This detangling spray will make the combing process a lot easier and will help you avoid doing damage to your wig. Carefully comb the hair at the top of the wig so that no part of the cap is showing. This will ensure that the wig dries in a natural-looking way.
Step 5: Style
You can style your wig as you would with your regular hair and include curls, waves, braids, or accessories!