How To Wash a Synthetic Wig Without Wig Shampoo? How Often?
If you have a synthetic wig or you plan to buy one, there are several things you need to do to improve the wig’s lifespan. Washing is one of these things, and it is important to do it right.
Before now, the go-to for washing synthetic wigs have been wig shampoo. Some people even use regular shampoo for their synthetic wig, but it is not the best practice because regular shampoo is too strong for the fiber of a synthetic wig.
So, is wig shampoo the only thing you can wash your wig with? The answer is no!
There are many ways to wash your wig without shampoo and get all the dirt out just as you would with shampoo. We’ll explore those methods in this post, so read on!
How Often Should You Wash Your Synthetic Wig?
The most widely held recommendation from hairstylists and experts is that you wash synthetic wigs after you have worn them about 15 to 20 times or once in 2-3 weeks. However, if you wear the wig daily, then you should wash it once a week or more often than 3 weeks.
Also, if you sweat a lot or expose your wig to heavy smoke and other strong smells, you’ll need to wash it often to get the stink out.
Alongside these tips, avoid washing your synthetic wig too frequently because it could shorten the lifespan of your wig, also the wig color may get faded.
If you’re not sure whether or not it’s time to wash your wig, examine it and see whether it feels and looks weak, dull, and lifeless. If it does, then it’s time for a wash.
How To Wash a Synthetic Wig Without Wig Shampoo?
Before we go into the methods of washing your wig without shampoo, it is important to understand that the products you’ll be using instead of shampoo perform the same functions, which is to wash the wig, remove oil, and dirt, and keep the wig in a healthy condition.
Let’s go through some of the best alternatives for washing your synthetic wig instead of wig shampoo.
Top 5 Ways to Wash a Synthetic Wig without Wig Shampoo
- Using Dish Soap
- Using Vinegar Solution
- Using Baking Soda
- Using Woolite Detergent
- Using Baby Shampoo
1. How To Wash a Synthetic Wig with Dish Soap?
Dish soap is a perfect alternative to wig shampoo because it is strong enough to remove dirt, makeup, and oil from your hair. It is also mild enough that it doesn’t damage your synthetic wig or affect its style.
Required Items
Procedure
- Fill a sink with cold water and add a sufficient amount of dish soap
- Brush your wig to remove all tangles and put it in the sink containing the dish soap and water.
- Massage the wig gently so that the soap goes through the wig and intercepts the dirt. Don’t scrub or wash it harshly to avoid tangling up the wig.
- Remove the wig, throw away the soapy water, and rinse your wig with cold water.
- Squeeze the wig gently to get the water out, and then hang it on a wig stand to dry.
Precautions
Always ensure that the dish soap has a mild nature. It is safest to stick to the brands that you’re used to. This is to ensure that you don’t use a soap that is so harsh it messes with the material and style of the wig.
2. Vinegar solution To Wash a Synthetic Wig
Vinegar is a good cleanser, and it will cleanse your synthetic wig and take away all oil and heavy dirt that’s caught in it. You can wash your synthetic wig with a vinegar solution in a few simple steps.
Required Items
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Procedure
- Mix a small amount of vinegar in a bowl or sink filled with cool water.
- Put the wig inside the vinegar solution and swish it a few times before taking it out of the water. Avoid soaking your synthetic wig for long because vinegar is quite sharp.
Precautions
Vinegar is highly acidic, so always use a very little amount and mix with cool water
3. Wash Synthetic Wig Using Baking Soda
One of the best alternatives to wig shampoo is baking soda, especially for wigs that have been exposed to smoke or odors. It is great at cleansing the wig and eliminating all forms of odor in no time.
Required Items
Procedure
- Add ¾ or half cup of baking soda to three quarts of warm water in a sink.
- Allow the baking soda to dissolve completely in the water and then place your wig in.
- Leave the wig to sit in the water for about 4 hours or more (you can even leave it overnight)
- Take the wig out when the timing is complete, rinse it in lukewarm to cool water, and then gently squeeze out the water
- Hang the wig on a stand to air dry.
Precautions
Avoid wringing or twisting your wig to avoid a tangle. Ensure that you don’t leave any baking soda residue in the wig, so rinse it properly.
4. How To Wash a Synthetic Wig Using Woolite Detergent?
Did you know that you can also use a detergent on your synthetic wig to get it all clean and in shape? Woolite detergent is great for washing your wig because it is gentle and won’t cause damage to the material or fibers.
Required Items
Procedure
- Fill a sink with cold water, measure a cupful of Woolite, and pour into the water.
- Brush your wig properly and remove all tangles
- Place your wig in the water and swish it carefully several times (avoid scrubbing)
- Squeeze the soapy water out gently and rinse the wig in cold water
- Squeeze the wig gently and hang it on a stand to dry.
Precautions
Don’t soak the wig in detergent, and don’t scrub the wig to avoid damaging it.
Some other detergents are harsher than Woolite, and they could damage your synthetic wig, so stay away from them until you’re sure.
5. How to Wash Synthetic Wig Using Baby Shampoo?
While you shouldn’t use regular shampoo on a synthetic wig, you can use baby shampoo because of its gentle nature that won’t harm your wig. It will get the dirt and oil out of your wig and renew its healthy appearance.
Required Items
Procedure
- Fill your sink with cold water and add a small quantity of baby shampoo
- Place your wig in the water and swish it gently several times to get the oil and dirt out.
- Remove it from the shampoo water and place the wig in a sink containing cold water. Swish several times to remove all shampoo residue.
- Squeeze the wig gently and place it on a stand to air dry
Precautions
Even though the baby shampoo is gentler and safer for your wig, don’t use excessive amounts because the effect might be too much on the wig.
Final Words:
Now that we have explored other alternatives to wig shampoo for your synthetic hair, there are several other things to note.
First, the quality of your wig also goes a long way to determine whether or not the wig will regain its beautiful and lush appearance after washing, so invest in high-quality synthetic wigs so that they can look better and last better.
If you noticed, all the drying methods outlined are heatless. This is because heat drying and styling instruments like blow dryers, hair straighteners, and curling irons can damage the wig’s fiber.
If you intend to use any heating drying tools, please ensure the synthetic wigs are heat resistant to avoid any damage.
Always take care of your wig and avoid exposing it to conditions that will need you to wash the wig too often, because excessive washing can kill your wig faster.
