The Do’s and Don’ts of Washing Your Synthetic Braided Wig

Synthetic fiber wigs have come a long way – what used to be coarse, heavy, and fake-looking has evolved to be soft, airy, and natural. Synthetic wigs are an investment in your style and something you want to last, so it’s great to learn to take care of them and indulge in the occasional wash. The classic “hand wash under cold water” instructions get a little trickier when it comes to braided styles, so let’s dive into how you can easily wash your synthetic braided wig!

Synthetic hair

Before we jump into braids, let’s cover the general gist of synthetic hair. Synthetic wigs are made of artificial fibers, such as acrylic or kanekalon, and can typically be washed with wig shampoo and conditioner – regular hair care products sometimes contain chemicals that can damage or create a film on synthetic hair. If you’re in a pinch, regular dish soap can also do the trick. Synthetic hair can’t be dyed, but some of them can be heat styled (usually not braids) and some pre-styled wigs will even snap back to their original shape when washed! Make sure to check your specific wig’s care instructions.

How to wash a synthetic braided wig

Before washing your wig, here’s some tools that may help:

• Wig shampoo or dish soap
• Hair mousse (optional)
• Large bowl
• Hair Dryer (optional)
• A wig stand (optional)

Now let’s get to washing!

1. Fill a large bowl with cold water.
2. Add a dime-sized amount of your soap of choice into the bowl and mix it in
3. Submerge your synthetic braided wig into the bowl and let it soak for 5-10 minutes
4. Gently massage the braids and scalp of the wig
5. Dump the bowl and refill with clean water; repeat the process until clean.
6. Once your wig is clean, gently dab it with a t-shirt. A cotton T is safer to use than a towel as it’s a flatter fiber and won’t create frizz.
7. Place the wig on a wig stand or lay it down flat. Allow it to air dry, or blow dry it on the coolest setting.
8. Adding some mousse when the wig is damp can help with eliminating frizz for a neat appearance. Mousse is much lighter than hair gel and doesn’t create the same amount of buildup or look as greasy.

Bonus Tips

• Never use hot water to wash your synthetic braided wigs – they might melt!
• Do not use any heat tools on your wig
• Don’t sleep with your wig on to prevent frizz

Good luck and happy washing!