How To : Wash a Synthetic Wig

Washing your synthetic wig plays a key role in caring for your wig correctly to maintain its style, excellent quality and initial shine. Thanks to leading wig technology, synthetic wigs are often mistaken for real human hair and look extremely natural, however, they require necessary care to maintain this appeal. Synthetic wigs are regarded as the lower maintenance option, compared to human hair wigs, however, If you’re looking to ensure optimal quality, and for general hygiene purposes, it’s important you make time to wash your wig correctly.

Follow this step-by-step process to ensure your wig stays smooth, soft and maintains its high quality, authentic look.

How to Wash a Synthetic Wig

What You'll Need:

• Synthetic fibre hair care kit– includes shampoo, conditioner and a wire/metal wig brush
• A Bowl
• A running tap for rinsing
• Clean towel
• Suction wig clamp holder
• Polystyrene styling head or wig tree stand

1. De-tangle

Firstly, de-tangle your synthetic wig using either your fingers or a wire wig brush.

2. Shampoo Your Synthetic Wig

Once your wig is knot-free, squeeze synthetic wig shampoo into a bowl of lukewarm water and mix it in with your hands to ensure the solution has dissolved.

Then place the wig in the bowl and rub the shampoo into the crown of the wig and inside the wig cap. Let the wig soak in the water for a couple of minutes. You can also soak and wash your wig in a sink following the same techniques.

3. Rinse Away the Shampoo

Gently rinse the product off of your synthetic wig by running it under the tap. To encourage the solution to come off, use your fingers to manoeuvre the hairs so that the water reaches all parts of the wig.

Once, rinsed we suggest holding a towel under the wig to avoid water droplets. Then lay your wig on top of half the towel and dab it softly to encourage excess moisture to leave the wig and be absorbed by the towel.

4. Condition Your Synthetic Wig

Make sure you refill your bowl with clean lukewarm water before you begin the conditioning process. Once refilled, pour conditioner for synthetic wigs into the bowl and mix the water with your hands until the conditioner solution has dissolved. Once ready, put your wig into the bowl and rub the conditioner into the ends of the hair strands. Then, let the wig soak for a couple of minutes. 

5. Rinse the Conditioner Off

Just like you did with the shampoo, return your wig to under the tap and allow the water to rinse off any remaining conditioner. The water tends to do most of the work, so you don’t have to fiddle with the wig itself too much.

6. Dry Your Synthetic Wig

Once rinsed, again dab your wig softly with the towel until it’s slightly drier and no longer dripping. With synthetic wigs, knots fall out as they dry so there’s no need to brush through them. Now you can leave it to dry naturally, making sure it stays out of direct sunlight to avoid damage.

We find by using a suction wig clamp holder and a polystyrene styling head, or wig stand makes drying your wig much easier as it ensures the wig stays in one place and encourages it to dry back to its original style.

How Often Should I Wash My Synthetic Fibre Wig?

The number of times you wash your synthetic wig within a certain period will depend on how often you wear your wig or if you’re around smoke, perfume or strong odours as, in these cases, your wig will require more regular cleans. On the whole, we recommend washing your wig every 2-3 weeks or after about 20 wears.

Get in Touch with Joseph’s Wigs

If you still have questions about washing your wig or would like to speak to someone, get in touch with Claire or Stuart at Joseph’s Wigs who’ll be more than happy to help. Email sales@josephs-wigs.com or call 020 8648 5541.

Alternatively, browse our site with useful wig advice and information, or explore our broad selection of stunning synthetic wigs.

Discover how to wash human hair wigs.