How to Care for Synthetic Wigs
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Learn how to care for synthetic wigs with easy tips on washing, styling, and storing to keep your wig looking fresh and lasting longer. For more wig tips, see my Wig Care page.
Hey friend! Whether you wear wigs for fun, everyday convenience, or for medical reasons, taking good care of them really makes a difference in how long they last and how great they look.
But as you know, not all wigs are the same. Synthetic wigs each have their own special needs and different kinds of TLC. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to care for synthetic fiber, from washing and conditioning to storing it right and keeping it looking fresh for as long as possible.
I have quite a few heat-resistant wigs, and I do maintenance on them all once, usually every 3-5 weeks or when needed.
Let’s start with… How do I wash a wig!
This is a long post; use the Table of Contents below to skip around if needed.
WIG POSTS TO READ NEXT
How to Shampoo a Synthetic Wig
Every 6–12 wears, or as needed.
- Use a wig comb to gently remove any tangles, especially at the nape.
- Fill a bowl or sink with room-temperature water.
- Add a quarter-size amount of synthetic wig shampoo and swish the water until it is dissolved.
- Emerge the wig in the bowl and let it soak for 10 minutes.
- Lightly rub the front lace (if applicable) to remove any makeup or residue.
- Rinse the wig thoroughly with room temperature to cold water.
- If it needs deep conditioning, add the conditioner to the ends (not the roots or near the cap), put it in a plastic bag and let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse the wig thoroughly with room temperature to cold water.
- Roll it in a towel to remove excess water.
- Shake it out and hang it upside down to dry.
Synthetic Wigs: Low-Maintenance + Budget-Friendly
Synthetic wigs are made from man-made fibers designed to mimic real hair. High-quality synthetic wigs can look very realistic and retain their style even after washing. They’re perfect for everyday use with minimal upkeep.
Synthetic wig fibers are primarily made from man-made plastics, including acrylic, nylon, or polyester. There are regular synthetic fibers that have a set style, and heat-friendly fibers that can be molded into different styles using heat!
Technically, regular synthetic fiber can be changed, too. I show you how in my How to Curl Synthetic Hair Safely post.
Conditioning Heat-Resistant Fiber
If your heat-resistant wig is starting to show its age and needs a little TLC, try deep conditioning it with a cream or spray conditioner after shampooing to soften the fiber and help calm the frizzy ends.
- Shampoo the wig as shown above.
- After shampooing, add a cream conditioner starting at the ends of the wig. I use the CSC Conditioning Mask or the Bamboo Silicone Mix.
- Do not get the cream near the knots at the roots.
- Gently brush through the fiber with a wide detangling comb or brush to get the cream evenly throughout the fiber.
- Let the cream conditioner sit on the fiber for 10-20 minutes.
- Rinse the cream thoroughly with cold to lukewarm water.
- Roll the wig in a towel to remove the excess water.
- Shake the wig and hang it to dry.
The cream conditioning mask seals the dry fiber and brings it back like to life almost as it was in the beginning. When it dries it will be a lot softer and the frizzy fiber will have calmed down. You will still need to use heat to smooth it out but it will not be as dried out or frizzy as before.
To keep your synthetic wig looking its best between washes, you can also use a leave-in spray conditioner after each wear.
Pay special attention to the nape section of the wig between wears. After taking the wig off after it was worn, spray some silicone wig spray on the fiber and gently comb it out, starting at the ends and working your way up. This helps maintain smooth fibers at the nape and keeps the ends hydrated between wears.
During the winter, when static cling gets out of control, I soak my toppers in a mix of 1/8 cup unscented Downy liquid fabric softener diluted with water for about 5 minutes. After soaking, I make sure to rinse thoroughly to remove all of the residue.
The fabric softener makes the hair fiber feel amazing and almost like brand new. The only drawback is that the HD fiber tends to get that “product build-up feeling” or that clumpy, separated feeling faster when using fabric softener.
Other ways to fight winter flyaways are to use dryer sheets or a light mist of diluted fabric softener in a spray bottle. Both work well to tame static and keep synthetic hair smooth.
My Take on Fabric Softener
Before anyone jumps in about how fabric softener isn’t recommended for wigs—I hear you! But I’ve been using it on both heat-defiant (HD) and regular synthetic fiber wigs and toppers for years without any issues. The key is to rinse it out thoroughly to avoid any excess buildup or residue.
My regular synthetic pieces still have their shine, and so far, I haven’t noticed any signs of fiber breakdown. I know some of you have had negative experiences with fabric softener, like stretching the soft wig cap fabric, but personally, I haven’t run into that issue. You can always just soak the ends of your wigs, and do not submerge the cap in the solution if stretching may be your concern.
I spray the fiber with a silicone conditioning spray on the nape area every time I take the piece off. But, I try to use only water, mostly on the top fiber. Remember, too much product = clump.
My Favorite Wig Shampoos and Conditioners
Synthetic Wig Products I Love
For the shampoos listed above, I have used the first two, Brandywine and Jon Reanu. I love them both. Right now, I am using the Chelsey Smith Crowns shampoo. See below.
Bamboo Silicon Mix Conditioner is a game-changer for heat-defiant fibers. After shampooing, I apply the conditioner and let it sit in a plastic bag for 20 minutes to an hour for deep conditioning. I prefer the “bamboo” silicon mix version because it has a lighter, more subtle scent compared to the strong, perfumey original formula.
Make sure you thoroughly rinse this particular heavy conditioner out, or it will make the fibers feel heavy, weighted down, and coat the fibers. I use this conditioner on my oldest heat-friendly toppers and even on my human hair toppers; afterward, the hair feels amazing, like brand new.
IMPORTANT: When applying the Bamboo Mix conditioner to a wig or topper, stay away from the knots at the base. This heavy, deep conditioner cream can loosen them if you get too close to the base or lace.
The Simply Styling Silicone Spray works on human and synthetic hair. It helps restore luster and detangles synthetic fiber. I use this on the nape of the neck hair on my wigs.
Wig Wax is great for adding texture, a light hold, and smoothing flyaways in synthetic wigs. It’s a must-have.
The best way to dull the dreaded wig shine is with dry shampoo. Spray the top and in between the wig fibers to get rid of that fake, super shiny look. The Batiste brand is my favorite. I use the brown version on rooted wigs and the regular scent one on blonde wigs.
These days, I am wearing Chesley Smith Crowns Wigs. They are heat-friendly synthetic wigs. Chelsey has her own product line for her wigs. I love the CSC Conditioning Mask, it is very similar to the Bamboo Silicon Mix I mentioned above. In my opinion, it is better.
Some other wearers still love the Silicon Mix since it is more cost effective. Either way you should be using this on your synthetic wigs to restore the fiber and reduce frizzy ends.
I also use her Shampoo and Spray-on Conditioner on my heat resistant. They do have a floral scent to them. If you are not into perfumes, then the ones I have listed above from Amazon are more for you.
General Wig Care Tips (For Both Types of Wig Hair)
Storage:
- Store your wig on a wig stand or mannequin head to maintain shape.
- Put them in a hair net and store them in a silk bag or box.
- Hang them on shoe racks on walls or inside your closet.
- Get creative! There are a lot of interesting ways to store your wigs out there. A little searching online will give you some great ideas.
When using a Mannequin Head to Store your Wigs. Be careful not to have a larger mannequin head than your head size. Stretching your wig across a too-big head mount could stretch the elastic base and lace, especially if the wig is wet. Measure your head before ordering and size down.
Wig Storage Ideas
Avoid Unnecessary Friction: Be cautious when wearing wigs with textured clothing. Friction can cause tangling or frizzing, especially at the nape. This can happen more in winter with sweaters, scarves, and jackets.
Protect your Wig from Sunlight: Lots of direct UV exposure can fade both human and synthetic wigs. Be sure not to store your wigs near windows.
Do Not Sleep in Your Wig: This causes unnecessary tangling, frizzing, and wear. If you feel you need to, use an older wig as your designated sleeping wig.
Whether you’re investing in a luxurious human hair wig or opting for the convenience of a synthetic one, the care for synthetic wigs will be the main factor to extend their life and keep them looking fabulous.
With a little love and the right routine, your wig can remain a beautiful part of your personal style for months — or even years — to come.
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