How to Restore Human Hair Wigs

Co-authored by Tiffany Pate

Last Updated: October 6, 2022 References

Wigs made of human hair typically last longer, and look and feel more natural, than synthetic wigs. They're available in all colors, sizes, and styles, and can be a great way to change your look, whether you wear it every day or just for special occasions. If your wig becomes tangled, frizzy, or matted, don't throw it away -- you may still be able to return it to its original condition. Clean and detangle your wig using bleach and ammonia, then use hot water and conditioner to return some of its strength and shine, and you'll be wearing your favorite wig again in no time.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Cleaning Your Wig with a Bleach Bath

1
Fill three bowls with 1 gallon (3.8 l) of hot water each. Ideally, you should use bowls or containers that will not be used for food. You can also use just 1 bowl or your sink, but you will have to empty, rinse, and refill it twice throughout the process.^{[1]
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2
Add 2 ounces (57 g) of Clorox bleach to the first bowl. The bleach will open up the hair's cuticles and make it easier to detangle. It will also remove oils and dirt that have collected in the hair.^{[2]
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- Bleach can irritate skin, so you may want to wear rubber gloves as an extra precaution.
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3
Submerge your wig in the bleach bowl and gently comb it for 3 minutes. Use a wide-toothed comb or a vent brush to slowly comb through the wig while it's in the bleach water. It should detangle easily. Be careful not to leave the wig in the bleach water for more than 3 minutes, as it may affect the color of the wig.^{[3]
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4
Move the wig to the 2nd bowl and add 2 ounces (57 g) of clarifying shampoo. This will clean the hair and help bring it back to a natural level of acidity after it interacts with the bleach. Move the wig around in the water for 1-3 minutes to get the bleach out and work the shampoo in.
5
Place the wig in the 3rd bowl and add 2 ounces (57 g) of ammonia. The ammonia will help neutralize what's left of the bleach in your wig. Use a wide-toothed comb or vent brush to gently comb through the wig for 1-2 minutes while it's in the ammonia water.^{[4]
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6
Rinse the wig thoroughly with hot water in the sink. Hold the wig so that the bottom of the cap, or the part that will touch your head, is facing up. This will keep the hair falling downwards and prevent it from tangling while you rinse it.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Restoring Shine with a Conditioning Treatment

1
Saturate the wig with conditioner while it's still wet. If you didn't do a bleach bath, or if the wig has dried since you did it, wet it thoroughly in the sink. Work at least 2 ounces (57 g) of conditioner into the wig and leave it in.
2
Place the wig inside a plastic bag and microwave it for 30 seconds. This will heat the wet hair slightly and create some steam inside the bag, which will help to moisturize it. Use a zippable bag that's large enough for you to fit the wig inside it and seal it tightly.^{[5]
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3
Let the wig sit in the bag for at least 1 hour. The bag may be hot, so be careful when handling it until it has cooled down. Letting it sit in the bag will give it time to absorb the water, steam and conditioner. You can also place a hot steamed towel over the bag to help retain some of the heat while it sits.
4
Comb the wig with a wide-toothed comb or vent brush. Hold the wig upright or place it on a wig head and gently run a comb or brush through it while it's still wet. It should feel smooth and detangle easily.
5
Let the wig air-dry on a wig head. Gently squeeze any excess moisture from the hair and then set it on a wig head to dry. You can also pin it up by its cap to dry, but this could slightly stretch or distort the shape of the cap.^{[6]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Taking Care of Your Wig

1
Shampoo and condition your wig regularly when it's in use. If you wear your wig frequently, you should care for it like you would your own hair. Shampoo and condition it at least every third day that you wear it.^{[7]
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- Wash it with a clarifying shampoo first, to remove all dirt and debris. Then, wash it with a moisturizing shampoo to add some moisture to the hair.
- Make sure to rinse and remove all traces of shampoo and conditioner from the wig.
2
Store your wig on a wig head to prevent tangling. The best way to keep your hair smooth and untangled while not in use is to keep it on a wig head. This will keep the hair in its natural position, and it's unlikely to moved as often as if it were in a drawer or closet.^{[8]
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3
Divide the hair into 3 or 4 ponytails to keep it in place when it's not in use. To keep the hair on your wig from becoming tangled, especially if you're transporting it somewhere, it can be helpful to secure it into ponytails. Use a ribbon or loose ponytail holder to avoid putting too much pressure on the hair.^{[9]
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4
Place the wig inside a satin bag to protect it from dryness. If you don't plan on using your wig for a while, or if you aren't able to store it on a wig head, place it inside a satin bag to help retain some moisture. The satin will be soft and smooth, which will reduce friction and keep the hair from becoming tangled.^{[10]
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5
Use a flat iron for a quick fix when your wig gets frizzy or tangled. If the hair on your wig is straight, you can use a flat iron to smooth it out when you don't have time for a longer treatment. Gently brush the hair, then divide it into sections and run a flat iron through each section, following it with a brush.^{[11]
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Community Q&A

Question

Can I put another color on my human hair wig the day after dyeing it?

Community Answer

No. Repeated dyeing can cause serious damage to the hair.
Question

Can you really microwave a zip-lock baggie without risk of melting?

Claire Compton

Community Answer

Yes, it is possible. Ensure that the microwave power is low-medium, and that you do it for short intervals. Not, it is the official Ziploc bags that are microwave safe.
Question

The bleach won’t strip the color from my human hair wig?

Claire Compton

Community Answer

Unless you use hair bleach or harsh cleaning bleach (professional-grade products) then the color should stay. To be safe, pluck 1-2 strands of hair off your wig and do a test run.

Warnings

Bleach and ammonia can create toxic fumes when mixed. When you are preparing a bleach bath or cleaning up afterwards, be careful not to combine the two fluids. Rinse your bowls and anything else that touched the bleach or ammonia water thoroughly afterwards.^{[12]
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