The 7 Top Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Your Wig

It’s no news that learning how to take care of beauty essentials like wigs is a skill that every woman should cultivate, especially when you choose a human hair wig.

A lot of black women are not aware of the perks that come with washing wigs the ‘right way’. It enhances the longevity of those wigs. 

A little mistake you make while washing can affect the quality of your wig in the long run. 

There are some mistakes that we noticed from our customers over the years on how they wash wigs.

This mini guide has been created specially for you so that in your next wash routine, you will not make these terrible mistakes that will cost you.

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Wigs

Washing wigs can seem straightforward, but no my darling, it is not as easy as we suppose.

There is a unique way to do it and you must do it well to see good results. You do not need a one-week masterclass. All you need is to read through this article.

If you belong in the category of Do-it-yourselfers, this section will guide you on what not to do to your wig when washing.

1. Do not wash without detangling first

As a black woman with natural hair, can you imagine not detangling your type 3c hair before washing it? It is the same when it comes to a wig.

Not detangling before washing can cause your hair to pluck out after washing, especially when you use your comb to go through the strands from root to end.

This tip will maintain the quality of your wig and make it last for more than  2 years.

Be gentle.

2. Do not scrub the wig excessively

You are washing a beautiful and costly human hair wig, you are not washing a pair of jeans. So, take it easy on the way you pull and tug the wig while washing.

Try as much as possible to avoid using your nails directly on the hair, instead use the tip of your finger to prevent any form of damage. 

This is one of the fastest ways people get to destroy their delicate wigs before they even realize it. 

Be soft.

3. Do not use the wrong hair products to wash your wig. 

In addition, during wig-washing procedures, people tend to use the wrong product and chemicals to wash their wigs without even conducting proper research.

By all means, do not use any regular soap or shampoo that you find on the counter. Some of these products are made from chemicals and ingredients that are not even approved by top agencies.

Instead of waiting to try it out and then have negative results, look for special hair products that will give your wig enough nutrition and shine while still maintaining the quality of the wig.

Do a deep research. Check online. Scroll through social media handles. Ask the right questions. Above all, when you get these wigs, ask the vendor what products will suit them best.

Be intentional.

4. Do not brush excessively when wet

Yes, you have successfully detangled your wigs before washing. Either a straight wig or curly, this does not mean that you should brush it anyhow when the hair is wet. 

It is a no-no.

Instead of being all aggressive on the innocent hair strands, work on it gently from the top to the bottom. In case there are extra tangles or knots, this will help you not tug at them.

Some wig experts are even of the school of thought that you should avoid using a comb or a brush when your wig is wet. Instead, it's preferable to use your fingers only.

Be careful. 

5. Do not wash your wigs with extremely hot water (>80°c)

Avoid using hot water to wash your wig. Instead, go for tepid water. This is what we refer to as room-temperature water or warm water. 

Why do we advise this? 

From research, it is observed that whenever hot water is used to wash wigs, the outer cuticle layer is lifted which causes the color and quality to fade in little time.

Indeed, almost all the materials used in making wigs today cannot withstand the heat from hot water for a long time. Except you have money for a new one, treat your wigs like eggs. 

With wigs as fragile as human hair wigs, this could break the strands and fibers. For this category, warm water works best. Use cold water for synthetic wigs.

Be cautious.

6. Do not squeeze your wig in a towel

We know a lot of people do this and that's why we are calling it out today. Towel + wig = bad thing to do.

“We want our wigs to dry fast”, that's what most black ladies say.

As much as this could help you achieve your results faster, it can tangle up the wig and cause long-term damage. 

Instead of going for the fastest way, go for the most efficient way which is air drying. Once the natural elements of the air touch the wig, it takes less than 30 minutes to get dry. 

With this, you don't have to deal with the weft that a towel would cause. Also, you don't end up damaging the net and wig cap.

7. Do not blow-dry synthetic wigs 

As mentioned above, the urge to hurriedly dry your wig in less than 15 minutes is high.  

However, you should avoid using a blow dryer on a synthetic wig, as it will melt the fibers right before you.

For human hair wigs or blended wigs, you can make use of a quality heat protectant (Moroccanoil Perfect Defense, Bumble and Bumble Invisible Oil Primer, etc) and you are good to go.

Conclusion:

Wash your wig once a month or every 8 wears using the tips that are highlighted above.

Above all, pay special attention to your human hair wigs. Try as much as you can to invest your effort and time into avoiding these common mistakes that can ruin your wigs.

Unlearn the old habits, learn the new measures, and relearn to stay up-to-date with changes in the wig industry.