Hair Maintenance

How to Wash a Wig: Human Hair and Synthetic, Step by Step

How often to wash, the right water and products, and simple methods for human hair, synthetic, lace front and glueless wigs.

Get Your Personalized Hair Plan →

Published by Hairporium · November 11, 2026

A long, brown human hair wig on a wig stand being gently brushed.

In this guide

Human hair vs synthetic at a glance What you need How to wash a human hair wig How to wash a synthetic wig Lace front and glueless wigs Signs and mistakes FAQ

Wash a human hair wig about every 7 to 14 days of wear, and a synthetic wig every 6 to 8 wears. Use cool to lukewarm water, a gentle wig shampoo and conditioner kept away from the cap, then blot with a towel and let the wig air-dry on a stand. Synthetic fiber needs cold water, no heat and no combing while wet.

Below: the differences between human hair and synthetic wigs, what you need, step-by-step methods for each, how to protect lace and glueless bands, and the mistakes that shorten a wig's life.

Human Hair vs Synthetic Wigs at a Glance

Care step	Human hair wig	Synthetic wig
How often	Every 7 to 14 days of wear; weekly if you use a lot of product	Every 6 to 8 wears; more often in hot or humid weather
Water	Cool to lukewarm	Cool or cold
Shampoo	Gentle, sulfate-free or wig shampoo	Synthetic wig shampoo
Conditioner	Mid-lengths and ends only, 3 to 5 minutes	Light conditioner or conditioning spray
Drying	Air-dry on a stand, or low heat once damp	Air-dry only, never a hair dryer
Heat styling	Yes, low heat with a protectant	Only if the label says heat-friendly
Combing	Wide-tooth comb, gently, from the ends up	Only when dry or barely damp

What You Need

Wig care tools laid out: a wig stand, a paddle brush, a wide-tooth comb and bobby pins.

A wide-tooth comb, for detangling before and after washing.
Wig shampoo and conditioner, gentle formulas made for wigs, or a sulfate-free shampoo for human hair.
A basin or sink, filled with cool water.
A microfiber or soft towel, for blotting, never rubbing.
A wig stand, so the wig keeps its shape while it dries.

How to Wash a Human Hair Wig in 8 Steps

Detangle it dry. Comb with a wide-tooth comb from the ends up, in small sections.
Wet it in cool to lukewarm water. Keep the water running from the cap toward the ends, in one direction, so the hair does not tangle.
Shampoo gently. Smooth a small amount of shampoo down the hair with your palms. Do not rub, scrub or twist.
Rinse until the water runs clear. Rinse the inside of the cap too, since that is where oil and sweat collect.
Condition the lengths only. Apply conditioner from at least an inch below the cap down to the ends, leave it for 3 to 5 minutes, then rinse.
Blot, don't wring. Press the hair between a towel to remove water.
Air-dry on a stand. Keep it out of direct sunlight. If you want a blow-dry, wait until it is only damp and use low heat.
Style once it is dry. Use a heat protectant and the lowest heat that works.

Every 3 to 5 washes, add a deep-conditioning treatment to the bottom half of the hair to keep the ends soft. Not sure whether human hair or synthetic suits you? Our guide to human hair vs synthetic wigs compares them.

How to Wash a Synthetic Wig in 6 Steps

Detangle it dry. Use a wide-tooth comb from the ends up.
Soak it in cold water with wig shampoo. Swish it gently for about a minute and clean the inside of the hairline. Do not rub.
Rinse in cold water. Keep going until the water runs clear.
Condition lightly. Use a synthetic-safe conditioner or conditioning spray on the hair, not the cap.
Blot with a towel. Do not squeeze, wring or twist.
Air-dry on a wig stand. Never use a hair dryer. Wait until it is dry, or barely damp, before combing, because combing wet fiber can stretch it for good.

Inside of a glueless wig cap, showing the adjustable elastic band and combs.

Lace Front and Glueless Wigs: Protect the Lace and the Band

Keep conditioner off the lace. The hairs are knotted into the lace, and conditioner on the knots can loosen them, so the wig sheds.
Handle the lace flat. Hold the wig by the cap, never by the lace edge, and don't rub it.
Clean the band and combs. On a glueless wig, rinse the elastic band and combs where they sit against your skin, then let the cap dry completely before you wear it.
Wear a cap underneath. A thin wig cap absorbs oil and sweat, so the wig stays clean for longer.

New to glueless wigs? Our guide to the best glueless wigs for beginners covers what to check before you buy and how to put one on.

Signs Your Wig Needs Washing Sooner

It feels heavy or coated: usually product build-up from sprays and gels.
It smells of sweat or smoke: common after a long night out or in warm weather.
It tangles more than usual: dirt and product make strands catch on each other.
It looks dull or flat: build-up stops the hair reflecting light.

Mistakes That Shorten a Wig's Life

Hot water: it dries out human hair and can loosen the knots in the cap.
Rubbing or wringing: it tangles the hair and stretches the cap.
Brushing a synthetic wig wet: the fiber can stretch and frizz permanently.
Heat on standard synthetic fiber: it singes; only heat-friendly fiber takes heat, usually up to 300°F, so check the label.
Storing it damp: always let it dry fully, then keep it on a stand out of direct sunlight.
Sleeping or showering in it: friction and steam wear it out much faster.

Washing is only one part of wig care. In cold months, our guide on how to protect hair in winter covers hats, dry air and wigs, and our guide on how to choose a wig that looks natural helps when it is time for a new one.

Choosing your next wig?

The Hairporium AI Stylist looks at your face shape, hair type and lifestyle to recommend lengths, colors and styles that suit you, before you spend on a new wig.

Find your style free →

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you wash a wig?

About every 7 to 14 days of wear for human hair and every 6 to 8 wears for synthetic. Wash sooner if you use a lot of product or wear it in heat.

Can you use normal shampoo on a wig?

On a human hair wig, a gentle sulfate-free shampoo works. On a synthetic wig, use a shampoo made for synthetic fiber.

Can you wash a wig in the washing machine?

No. The movement tangles the hair and can damage the cap. Wash it by hand.

How long does a wig take to dry?

Usually several hours on a stand, and longer for long or thick hair. Let it dry fully before you store or wear it.

Can you put conditioner on a lace front wig?

Yes, on the lengths and ends only. Keep it off the lace, where it can loosen the knots.

Does washing make a wig shed?

Some shedding is normal. Rough handling, hot water and conditioner on the knots make it worse.

Sources: Headcovers, human hair wig care; Headcovers, synthetic wig care; Jon Renau; L'Oréal Paris; Cleveland Clinic; Luvme Hair.

Choosing Your Next Wig? Get a Free Hair Plan

Hairporium AI Stylist analyzes your face shape, hair type and lifestyle and gives you a free Hair Plan in 3 to 5 minutes.

Start your free AI hair consultation →