Wigs Wig Maintenance: Care, Washing, Cleaning and Storage of Wigs

I think I have about 10 to 15 wigs now and I stick em in a plastic bag and put them in my closet for now anyways. I'm not sure how to store them either? HELP!?

 

I keep then in some rubbermaid storage type bins. They have drawers...? and I keep each one in a bag with wig nets on them. I've been trying to keep the stuff that they come in, I'm getting better about it, it helps. But I keep like 5 to 10 or so in a drawer. I keep my clothing and shoes that way too (but the clothing and shoes I store loose in the drawers)

if I didnt "put them away" my cat would knaw on them and drag them all around the house!

 

I think Aimee was referring them to one of these.

http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=62561&PRODID=67291

This is something I need to get too. I currently keep all my wigs (in their original baggies & nets) in a big cardboard shoe box. But over time it just completed filled up and I need some sort of storage unit to keep both my wigs and shoes in. ops:

 

exactly! I have a pink one with glitter. you can get them at target or lowe's ... lots of places

 

I used to keep them in a small box. Keep the netting on, and also put some rolled up paper inside. I do like the Volks boxes the volks wigs come in, good size for storing ^_^

 

I use something similar to this as well, but on wheels so I can drag it around with me :grin:

I also try to keep as much of the original packaging as possible, I especially love the solid plastic boxes that come with the short Volks wigs.

 

I need to get a better storage container - at the moment I keep mine in the packing boxes they arrived in! I store them in their wig nets to avoid tangling, with a bit of tissue inside so that they keep their shape. The fur wigs I have from Cassiel store like a dream - I can actually fold them flat and shove them in the small parcel box that she sent them to me in (with all the other wigs).

I definitely need to grab some of those storage bins - I need some for clothes, too. ops:

 

Wah, Aimee! I have the big and medium pink glitter ones too!

:cry: But they're both full already! I need to devote 2 drawers in my big one to wigs already I think. They are getting squashed.

But yes, I try to keep the stuff the come with, the hair net and baggie and try not to squash them in their container.


I have more of a problem with clothes. The SD clothes are larger and intricate and I find they get really squashed looking even when stored neatly. I'd love to have an armoir big enough for a lot of them, but where the heck would I put that?

I need to learn to love to iron.

 

Hi all,

I got three wigs off Ebay for fairly cheap ($6!), but they are, erm...a little "stiff" and smell a little "funky."

How can I go about "washing" them? Can I even do that?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks guys!

 

Sounds like they need an exorcism to boot. O_o;

However, as long as the wigs were made by sewing, not gluing, and the style is natural to the fiber, I imagine that gently washing in _cold_ water should be fine...

 

You can wash them with a little bit of Baby Shampoo, or soemthing equally mild- just use a little bit diluted in some water. Most regular shampoos have too many chemicals in them, which while good for human hair, only builds up and gunks up wigs further.

 

Ah, sweet! Thanks guys! I have baby shampoo (it's what I bathe my dog in sometimes if I want him to smell REALLY good) so I'm gonna go ahead and try that. WHOO!

I can't wait to show you all some pics. hehe

Thanks again!

 

^^ Looks like you already got your answers, but I also wouldn't try anything rough that would cause the hairs to unroot themselves. You wouldn't want your wig to shed! ^^; I imagine that I would fill up my sink with water (mixed with the mild shampoo) and then hand-wash them there.

About the baby shampoo... It'll probably get the smell out, but shampoos for real hair won't adhere to the synthetic fibers of wigs. There is a special sort of wig shampoo you can buy if it still smells bad after you wash it.

 

And be careful using heat to dry the wigs...natural drying is best, as if they are low quality they will frizzle permanently. o_o Happened to a Cancan/J-series wig I had.

 

Twin Pines makes a nice concentrated doll wig shampoo.

I was able to "exorcise" an eBay wig with it, and loved the results! Smelled better and turned all silky!

 

The wig that came with my doll reeked... X_X I drenched it in some Frebreeze and let it dry and air out, and it was fine. I was actually suprised that it wasn't sticky or something, I had been planning on rinsing it out. But nope, it was fine. ^^

 

In my costuming class I used to wash the wigs. We had ones that were synthetic and ones that were natural. Fill a sink with mild shampoo and luke warm water. Dip the wig in the water and swish GENTLY. Do not scrub and do not swirl it all over creation or the hair will start to come out. Rinse the wig in COLD water. Then either lay it flat to dry or pin it gently to a line. :3

You can also look on http://costumes.org and look under wigs for more info.

 

... when I got some vintage doll clothes for my vintage Cissy, it was suggested to place the clothes in a large jar with the the water and cleaning solution and shake it, this is better than moving it around or pulling at it when it's wet and fragile. I would do the same with wigs. After soaking in the soapy water, empty the jar and rinse in the same way. When thoroughly rinsed place the wig on a clean towel, cover with a 2nd towel and roll it up (gently) to get out the excess water. Then just lay it out flat to air dry, or maybe you have a styrofoam ball on a stick to put it on to dry.
Good Luck
-Am

 

Volks also makes a shampoo/conditioner especially for wigs, as well as a few new wig styling products. I have ordered all of them and will be happy to post the results when I get them. ^^

Baby shampoo and slightly warm water worked for a wig of mine, and I just clothespinned to a hanger and let it dry hanging over my shower.

 

Hi everyone!

I have just received a very cute black wig for my white skin Chiwoo, therefore I thought that washing it was a good idea, in order to avoid staining risk.

By the way, it's an Ajumapama synthetic wig, so it should be very good quality, I think.

What would you suggest me to use: a washing product for black synthetic clothes(e.g. lingerie), or a shampoo for dyed hair?

Many many thanks in advance for your very kind advice!

Have a great weekend!

 

The lingere soap is probably the better choice if you can't get wig shampoo. (check costume shops)

Regular shampoo has too many additives that build up on synthetic hair. You shouldn't have to worry about the colour running, because the wig isn't 'dyed', black is the natural colour. Black plastic. *nods*

 

Is it a dyed black wig or just a black fiber wig? I don't see how a black fiber wig could stain something...

 

Thank you, girls!

Anyways, the problem is not the hair, but the black cap to which the hair is attached to.

I think it is in cotton, or something synthetic...

 

I have four black wigs... and none of them have stained. If you're worried I'd just wash it in the wig conditioner/shampoo in warm water. Squeeze it and if any dye comes out you'll know it's going to stain. Then you might have to wash it in really hot water and let it be swished and stuff. Be careful if you do that, however, because it can potentially take the curl out of the wig.

 

Thank you , Batchix!

Anyways, I don't have any wig conditioner/shampoo, so I think I'll have to use something different...

BTW, is any of your black wigs by Ajumapama?

Thanks again!

 

I normally was my wigs for costumes with any clearifying shampoos that are made to clean every thing out of your hair, then i rinse the wig really good. I've never had any problems with residue. My Toshiya wig is living proof of this, cause that poor thing ahs been heat styled time after time with hair spray and every time it's washed clean and still looks like it did the day I bought it

When you rinse, don't rinse like you do your hair, sitck it in water and swoosh it around in figure 8 motion to not tangle it.

 

I was surfing around for some wig care products to tame the frizzies I have on a wavy wig and came across this:

*this can be applied to the wigs we use since they are all synthetic wigs, unless you know you have a human hair wig*

How do I wask my Synthetic wig?

-Fill your sink basin with cool water.

-Add a capful of synthetic wig shampoo and blend in. Never use regular shampoo on synthetic wigs! If the wig has picked up the odor of smoke or other strong odors, you may add a teaspoon of baking soda to your basin, and blend in.

-Gently swish the wig or piece in the water for about 30 seconds to a minute until saturated. Gently scruB the front of the wig cap, where it meets the forehead until clean.

-Leave the wig soak in the basin for about 15 minutes

-Empty the basin of water and rinse the wig or piece in cool water. It is very important to use cool water on curly wigs, as warm water will over-relax the curls.

-Gently squeeze out excess water. Do not rub or twist.

-Spread the wig out on a thirsty towel and leave in a ventilated area to dry overnight.

-You should spray on a little leave-on wig conditioner, when you start the drying process.

-When the wig is entirely dry, and not before, re-style the wig gently. We recommend a pick and not a brush. Shaking and fluffing by hand is your best starting point for styling.
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Can I use a blow drier or curling iron on my synthetic wig?

-No blow drier!! Exessive heat will melt or frizz the plastic in your Kanikelon fibers. Don't even think about it.

-Some recommend a lukewarm curling iron for re-setting the curls in a curly piece. Here is a better method.

-Pin the wig or piece to a styrofoam head or "block" so you can work on it.

-Select rollers of the proper size to re-set your curls. Wire mesh rollers are best.

-Wet the entire hairpiece with lukewarm water and set the curls. Use perm papers, which you can get at a beauty supply house to protect the ends of the hair. Use plenty of rollers with a little hair in each for best curly results.

-Take the pinned up piece to the sink basin. If you have a spray nozzle at your basin it is best to "spray" the hottest tap water on each set curl for about 3-4 seconds. This process, relaxes the hair without damaging it like a curling iron.

-When you are done relaxing all the curls, immediately spray each curl, in approximately the same order as you "relaxed" them with icy cold tap water. You can also use a mist bottle, filled with some ice and water. This "freezes" the curl into a new semi-permanent curl pattern.

-Allow your hair to air dry overnight, and when dry, take down the rollers. Now you've re-set your curls the most professional way possible.

 

This is a really good guide, thanks for posting! ^_^

I think once you get a feel for the different weights of synthetic hair, you can do more. This guide is playing it super safe (which is good if you've never played with a wig before!)

I use blow dryers on my human wigs all the time, you just have to keep them on 'warm' or 'cool'.

I wouldn't touch my wig with a curling iron, though, even on low heat. The hot water and perm rod method described here works -really- well, and the hotter the water, the tighter the curls. I ringleted a wig with boiling water two days ago, and it didn't melt or frizz the fibers at all. ^^

 

I used a mini crimper on my 1/6 doll's hair before. It was saran hair and I had it set really low and it worked out well. I was worried that I would melt the hair while crimping so I didn't press down too hard.

Yeah, I do wanna try a boil perm on a wig sometime!

 

I'm not sure what type of wig I have (I think it was a poshdolls boy wig) but I used a blow dryer on it.

I didn't like the style at all, it was a boy wig and I wanted it flat and straight. I first dunked it in hot water then put the wig back on my dolls dead and styled it straight. Then wrapped paper towels around it with a rubber band and dried it with a blow dryer. I did use low on the hair dryer most of the time and I held it pretty far away from the head. It came out really, really great. I have to get a pic of her soon.

Wendy

 

I actually straighted out one of Seph's wigs that I got from her by using a flat iron and also blow drying it. Now, I set the flat iron on the lowest setting and ran it thru the hair fast. I sprtzed the wig conditioning spray I bought from a hair store on it and the wig is silky smooth now.

As for blow drying, when I set a 1/6 head that I've rooted, I get too impatient in waiting for it to dry so I blowdry it on the lowest setting. They've always come out find after that.

I posted the instructions so people don't get too carried away with styling a wig and at least, know what might happen to a wig should they decide to try something on it.

 

Eron's one wig is getting a tad ratty...

I try to comb it out, but I notice a lot of hairs that don't go with the flow, that are sort of clumped together (I think they've always been that way), though not in a not, bent out of shape, etc. etc.

How should I care for his wiggy?

How does the Volks wig shampoo and conditioner work?

 

i dont know how the volks stuff works, but ive seen lots of people who say a good way to care for a wig is to wash it in the shower with mild soap, and if there are just a few frizzy hairs, pluck them out.

urm yes!

 

I wash wigs with people shampoo and then give them a people conditioner and water rinse and then an only water rinse. I figure if it's safe enough for people to be using on themselves, it won't hurt my dolls' wigs. ^_^

 

I did a search, and didnt find anything about this.

I just got a Monique Bernadette wig. Its made from Imitation Mohair. Meaning it feels...woolier than regular doll hair. How would I go about washing this wig if needed? In fact is it possible to wash it?

In case you arent familiar with Bernadette, here is a link to the listing on Audrey's Dolls.

I am really scared the rinlets are going to come all apart and I am going to end up with a big 'fro.

 

One thing I might try... If you think you might need to wash it, take one ringlet somewhere on the 'nape of the neck' area and try washing it by swishing it around in soapy water and then in clean water then laying it out gently to dry. Then you can see how the ringlet behaves and if messes up too badly it won't be visible.

 

Aislinn has a beautiful long wig with barrel curls, and I want to make sure it continues looking good -- she's got some stray hairs and a little bit of tangling, and I'm terrified of ruining it by brushing it out. Helllpppp??

-- A (who doesn't have a lot of experience with this type of doll!)

 

If it's a thick enough wig, you can just cut away the stray hairs and the tangle. That's what I usually do with my wavy/curly wigs.

 

I have found that if you want to neaten up that kind of wig, the best thing is to try to get all the hairs of each curl, and then carefully brush /comb it around a pen (or other smooth cylindrical object) until you get to the end, then slide the pen out of the curl.

A little wig conditioner (or I have heard, baby oil) helps the comb slide through the hair, too. I use a fine tooth comb and a tooth brush to do my ringlet wigs.

And yes, if you brush it out, you may separate the individual ringlets, and end up with a wavy wig instead of barrel curls.

 

ops: I had a doll wig get VERY frizzy, I ended up brushing all the knots out, then brushing sections back into curls, once I had curled sections, I seperated them back out. It took way too long

 

I just got two mohair wigs. They're really lovely, but I realized I know nothing about them! Are they brushable or not? If you have tips on styling, preserving, anything at all, please post!

 

I have been treating mine like my own hair ( very curly) since mohair is a natural fiber. When I want to reactivate the curl. I drench it in cold water, comb it with a wide tooth comb (very lightly) wet it again, and I use my hair moose on it (finesse) seems to be working ok. But I would love to know if I am doing a no no.
Definitely no really hot water or you can felt it.

 

i ordered a curly wig from DoD (W-41, the ringlets) but then i hear curly wigs arent very good cuz they get messy and strands poke out and such (>----< )

is this true? if so, is there anyway of preventing it??

now that i notice, my curly hair wig (for myself) is kinda messy...(_ _; )

thank you!!

 

You could try to preserve it the old fashioned way... like, when you aren't using it, making it a little damp by rubbing water on to it, then curling up all the ringlets using thin strips of cloth and tying them close to the head. If you've ever seen the little princesses, you'll know what I mean x3;

 

You just have to REALLY stay on top of it. Only wear it for photoshoots, when it's off, wrap it in it's wig net...That should keep it pretty for a long time. :3

 

Yes, curly wigs get pretty frizzy and messy after a while if you're not careful. Sometimes I try to keep the ringlets of my curly wig together by just winding them around my fingers and smoothing out the stray hairs. And desdisques is right; I remember someone telling me that copious amounts of wig spray will keep a curly wig under control.

 

Finer hair is definitely going to get a little bit messy. Thicker, coarser hair will probably retain its shape better. If your wig does get out of shape, try wrapping the curls around your finger or a pencil to try to get the shape back and smoothe it down. You might also want to use a little water or spray to smooth it down a bit.

 

yes. they do get frizzy with time. I had this beautiful poshdolls ringlet wig that got frizzy with wear and i even stored it nicely in its net when it wasn't in use. I ended up combing out the curls and putting some gel in it to hold the looser curls. i liked how it turned out though.

Before


After

 

O_o
You're supposed to pre-wash brand new wigs? I'm glad I got hold of this little bit of information before my boy here ~ I have a brand new shiny red Leeke wig - do I have to bathe it in vinigar? *confused*

 

Some wash them just to make sure they don't stain their dolls heads. Some just need to be prewashed just in case as well. I had a wig, though a dirty blond wig, had a black headcap and left black marks everywhere (fortunately it was a vinyl obitsu head, unfortunately I couldn't get the marks out) I soaked it in white distilled vinegar a couple of times and it hasn't done much after that..Did take a couple of washing with baby shampoo to get the vinegar smell out.... Didn't harm it at all....

 

I usually wash all my new wigs. Because once I got one that had "wet look" stuff in it and I didn't like it at all. I washed it as soon as I unwrapped it and I was disgusted by the amount of dirt in it. The wash water was dark brown when I finished. (And the wig was blue so I know it wasn't dye) So I now wash all my new wigs just to make sure they're clean.
I usually just run some shampoo and water in the sink and swish them around in it. Then I rinse and squeeeze the water out with a towl. Then I put them on a styrofoam ball to dry. I have heard that vinegar rinses will set dye and prevent staining although I haven't tried it myself yet. ^_^

 

Use a white bowl, and swish it around, then you can see if dye is released.

Ohh! Kinda OT, but after you've done all that poopie stuff with the dye, put it in some fresh water with fabric softener. (^o^) It makes it soft and smell pretty. I've been doing it for a long time. Soak it for a little while, rinse it, and then comb it out. It makes them smell pretty. :3

 

Just a piece of advice; don't boil the wig, whatever you do eheheh^_^;; I've been boiling Barbie hair for years to make it straight and silky, and while it works with them, it will not work with BJD wigs....-_- Take this from someone who has done it, and had their Luts wig stick straight out and discolor....guh.

 

^-^ Okay hun, thank you. Would you recommend using vinigar as other people have used, and is it the white, clear type?

 

I've never washed new wigs, didnt occur to me to do so, and I've had no problems or staining whatsoever (and most of the wigs I have are dark/black) but I have given one of my wigs a general wash. If you're concerned I'd reccomend just putting some luke warm water in the sink and a bit of soap or shampoo and give them a gentle rinse though, as some of the posters have already suggested.

San.

 

I haven't vinegared a wig yet, I haven't needed to. I wash my wigs a lot though, because I handle my dolls so much and I have an obbession with clean things. x3 I think if you swished it around in a bowl that's white, not clear, but solid white. So you can see if color comes off of it. I think casarole dishes are like that?

If some comes off from that, you can try vinegar. I'm sorry, I can't sound very coherent sometimes. (@_@)

I'm sure it would be just the normal white vinegar, like the stuff used to clean with sometimes? I'm not sure how much you'd use too. Probably not too much though. It's relatively uncommon with some wigs, but I've heard Leek black wigs are horrible about it. It would be good if you did vinegar the red one, just in case. I dunno, first thing's first: Just check around and swish it to see if any at all dye is released. Gently squeeze the wig cap too, cos it's cloth.

I'm lucky with wigs! But, we should all be very careful. Because if the head gets stained, it's worse then the body.

Wow. I make no sense. I'm sorry!

 

I washed almost all of my darker wigs and some of the lighter ones with Woolite for dark colors: I like its delicate rose smell very much!

 

my leeke world wig is kinda tangled up.
can i wash it with some shampoo and soften it with farbic softener?

 

I ve never used the fabric softener (I know some one else mentioned it) but I wash wigs all the time with shampoo and cream rinse (they make special ones for wigs too, that don't have waxes in the cream rise, but I have yet to have a problem with regular, just use a tiny dab)

try detangling it while under a slow running tap after washing, light tangles will come out easy, big knots have to be picked out before washing while the wig is dry (washing can de-frizz some wigs a bit )