How to Wash a Human Hair Wig

WIG WASH™ × YAFFA WIGS MIAMI

Cleanse. Condition. Love your wig again.

Watch how to wash a human hair wig at home—with the Shampoo, Conditioner and Vent Brush used in this tutorial.

Watch the wig-washing tutorial

2:48 · Published

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Wash, condition & dry: the 9 steps

  1. Detangle before washing

    Start at the ends of the dry wig and work upward. Support the hair; do not pull through knots.

  2. Wet with lukewarm water

    Saturate the hair, keeping the strands aligned rather than rubbing them together.

  3. Apply Wig Wash™ Shampoo

    Spread between your palms, then work through the hair in a downward direction.

  4. Rinse out the shampoo

    Rinse thoroughly. Carefully squeeze out excess water without twisting or wringing.

  5. Condition & brush through

    Work Wig Wash™ Conditioner through the hair. Distribute with the Wig Wash™ Vent Brush, as demonstrated.

  6. Rinse out the conditioner

    Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Avoid scrubbing or bunching the hair.

  7. Blot with a towel

    Press the hair in a soft towel to absorb water. Do not rub it dry.

  8. Detangle while damp

    Use controlled strokes, as shown. Stop at resistance and follow your wig maker’s brushing guidance.

  9. Prepare to air-dry

    Support on a suitable wig stand. Follow your maker’s drying instructions and let the cap dry before storage.

For human hair wigs. Follow your wig maker’s instructions for texture, color, lace, knots and attachment areas.

Shampoo cleans. Conditioner brings the softness.

Two different jobs. Both belong in your wash-day routine. [2] [5]

Your wig does not get fresh scalp oils.

Growing hair receives sebum from the scalp. Once cut, that direct supply stops. Cleansing removes residue; conditioning adds the slip and softer feel that washing alone does not provide. [1] [2]

Wig Wash Shampoo, white pump bottle

Step 1 · Cleanse

Wig Wash™ Shampoo

Wash away everyday residue and styling buildup. Prepare the hair for conditioning.

Shop Shampoo
Wig Wash Conditioner, white pump bottle

Step 2 · Condition

Wig Wash™ Conditioner

Softer-feeling hair. More slip. Easier detangling. The step to complete your wash.

Shop Conditioner
Wig Wash Shampoo and Conditioner Set, two white pump bottles

Both steps, together

Shampoo + Conditioner Set

For a clean wash and a softer finish. Created and formulated for human hair wigs & extensions.

Shop the Shampoo + Conditioner Set

Includes Shampoo and Conditioner. Vent Brush sold separately.

Wig Wash Vent Brush with open vents and ball-tipped pins

The Vent Brush used in the video

For detangling and distributing conditioner through the hair. [6]

Shop the Vent Brush

Human hair wig care: your questions answered

Can I wash a human hair wig with regular shampoo?

Sometimes—but an expensive label does not guarantee the right formula. Scalp-hair shampoos clean skin oil and buildup; a wig receives no fresh oil from its original scalp. Choose products appropriate to the hair and construction. [1] [2]

Wig Wash™ is created and formulated for human hair wigs and extensions. Use the Shampoo to cleanse, then Conditioner for a softer, easier-to-detangle finish. [5]

Is Dawn dish soap good for washing a wig?

We do not recommend it for routine human hair wig washing. Dawn’s stated job is removing grease from dishes—not conditioning hair. Degreasing power is not the same as suitability for processed wig hair. [4]

Choose hair care, not a household-cleaning shortcut: Wig Wash™ Shampoo for buildup, followed by Conditioner for softness and slip. Adhesive removal is a separate task requiring maker-approved products. [5]

Why is my wig getting dry and frizzy over time?

The hair no longer gets a continuing supply of oil from its original scalp. Heat, rough handling and processing can also contribute to damage. A wig needs care that balances cleaning with conditioning. [1] [3]

If it feels rough, do not automatically shampoo again. Review conditioning, detangling and heat use—not just how often you wash.

Do I need conditioner after every shampoo?

Yes—conditioning completes this routine. Shampoo removes residue. Conditioner helps the hair feel softer and makes tangles easier to work through. “Sulfate-free” shampoo does not replace that second step. [2] [3]

Wig Wash™ Conditioner adds softness and slip after cleansing. In this tutorial, the Vent Brush distributes it through the hair. [5] [6]

How do I make my human hair wig silky again?

Cleanse buildup, then condition for softness. Follow Wig Wash™ Shampoo with Conditioner, rinse thoroughly and blot instead of rubbing. Handle tangles carefully rather than forcing a brush through them. [2] [5]

Conditioning improves feel and manageability; it does not make broken strands new. Persistent matting or snapping deserves a stylist’s assessment. [3]

How should I dry my wig without damaging it?

Blot; do not rub or wring. Use a suitable stand and let the cap dry before storage. Follow your wig maker’s directions: some pieces need controlled styling rather than air-drying alone. [3] [7]

If heat is permitted, keep it controlled and use a suitable protectant. Repeated excessive heat and friction can cause damage; hotter is not better. [2] [3]

Can I use a hair oil or serum on my human hair wig?

Yes—a suitable hair oil or serum can complement your wig-care routine. Choose a formula appropriate for your wig and use it according to the product’s and your wig maker’s instructions.

Cleanse with Shampoo, condition for softness and detangling, then add a compatible finishing product when needed. Keep conditioner as the wash-day step; a leave-in oil or serum has a different role. [2] [5]

Coming soon: the Wig Wash™ hair oil/serum. It is not featured in this tutorial.

What can I use if I do not have wig shampoo?

Check your wig maker’s approved alternatives. A compatible human-hair shampoo and conditioner may be suitable; a dishwashing or laundry product is not an equivalent substitute. [2] [4]

For a nonurgent wash, avoid experimenting. Keep the Wig Wash™ Shampoo + Conditioner Set together so both steps are ready. [5]

How often should I wash a human hair wig?

Base it on wear and buildup—not a rigid daily schedule. Product use, activity and how often you wear the wig all matter. Follow its care instructions and wash when residue, odor or reduced movement calls for it. [7]

Dry-feeling hair is not always dirty hair. Reassess conditioning and heat use before adding another wash.