How to Store a Wig

Washing Your Wig

Clean your wig if you have worn it multiple times. Sweat and dirt easily accumulate on a wig while you are wearing it. Depending on the extent to which you have worn the wig, you should wash and condition your wig once for every 10 to 15 times you wear it. This will help the wig maintain its soft and natural look. You can wash your wig more frequently if you feel like it needs it, but excessively washing a wig can damage it over time. So use your best judgement on when to wash it.

Follow the instructions on the shampoo and conditioner bottles. The washing instructions for your wig can vary greatly depending on the type of products you use. It is best to follow the instructions outlined by the manufacturer so you don't damage your wig. Just make sure to only use products that are specially designed for synthetic or human hair wigs, and to only wash the wig with temperate water. Hot water can damage the color and weaken the fibers, and cold water will not remove the dirt or hair products. These special wig shampoos and conditioners can be found in person at wigs stores and some hair salons, or online with large retailers like Amazon or Wal-Mart.

Place your wet wig on a towel over a flat surface to air dry. You want your wig to dry completely before storing it away. Any sealed moisture could lead to mold growing on your wig. Don't hang, blow dry, or place the wet wig in direct sunlight as this can stretch the cap and damage the fibers.

Comb and detangle your dry wig, starting at the ends. Small knots or tangles left for long periods of time can damage or even break the wig fibers. Take a comb, preferably a detangling comb with large teeth, and smooth out the wig. Start combing the ends of the wig first, and work your way up to the roots. This will keep the wig from shedding. If your wig is made of human hair, then consider spraying it with a conditioning spray. The conditioning spray will make the hair soft and silky. Just make sure you let the conditioning spray dry completely on the wig before storing it.

Storing Your Wig in a Plastic Container or Bag

Fold your wig in half from ear to ear. This will help your wig from crumpling when you go to store it. Folding the wig works best when the wig has short or medium length hair. If your wig is too short to fold and is not styled, then you can turn it inside-out instead. If your wig is long and does not have curls or waves, then braid the ends into 2 or 4 sections before storing it. This will help prevent the long fibers from tangling.

Place a hairnet on the folded wig to maintain its style. If the wig you are storing has curls, waves, or manicured layers, then you'll need to take steps to keep that style intact. Placing a hairnet on the wig will encourage the style to stay in place, and not get any creases or folds. This is especially important if you are storing a synthetic wig that is not heat-resistant. If a synthetic wig loses its style, and it is not heat-resistant, then it is going to be hard to fix the style of the wig. Hairnets do come in different sizes, so make sure to pick an appropriate size for your wig. If you have a long-haired wig, you don't want to stuff it into a small hairnet. Just use your best judgement when picking out the size.

Put the wig in an individual plastic storage bin for stackable storage. This is a great option if you have one wig, or a couple of wigs, that need to be stored. You can pick up inexpensive plastic containers from a local store, and stack them in your closet. Some of the more expensive wigs come packaged in a designated wig box. If this is the case, then return the wig back into the box it was packaged in. Try and stay away from storing your wigs in cardboard boxes. If the air becomes humid, the cardboard will absorb the moisture and could make your wig grow mold.

Slip the wig into a clean plastic bag for compact storage. If you have a growing collection of wigs, then bagging your wigs will help you save space and keep your wigs safe. Before sealing the plastic bag, try and remove all of the air from the bag by flattening it. Try and not to toss or shove the bag around. Mishandling the bag can cause the wig to become tangled. To avoid rustling multiple bagged wigs, invest in a large container or an over-the-door shoe rack to help organize them. If you need to travel somewhere with your wig, then bagging your wig is your best storage option. If you frequently travel, however, then consider investing in a custom wig box and a folding wig stand to ensure that your wig holds its style over time.

Tape a description tag to the outside of the storage bin or bag. This is not as necessary for one wig unless the container or bag is not transparent, but this is more important if you are storing multiple wigs. You want to be able to quickly discern the color, length, and style of the wig without having to open the container or bag. If you have worn, or are planning to wear the wig frequently, then you might also want to note the number of times you have worn the wig on a separate label. Noting how many times you wore the wig will help you determine when it needs to be washed.

Using a Wig Stand or a Wig Hanger

Purchase a wig stand or a wig hanger in a local craft or costume store. You can also find affordable versions with online retailers like Amazon. Most of the wig hangers will be made out of plastic or metal, and most of the wig stands will be made of metal or Styrofoam. The material the stands and hangers are made of doesn't matter; just pick one that meets your preferences. Differently sized wig stands can help you store wigs of varied lengths. Wig stands that have long necks are meant to hold medium and long length wigs, and wig stands that have shorter necks are for wigs with short hair. Be mindful when picking a wig stand out because placing a short-haired wig on a wig stand that has a long neck might cause the stand to be off balanced.

Place the wig you use most often on a wig stand or mannequin head. Even though a wig stand or mannequin head will take up a lot of room, it is worth having at least one to store the wig you use most often. This is also a great option for wigs that have a lot of volume like an afro or have a complex style like a mohawk. Either of these stands will maintain your wig's style and shape. If you do not wear a particular wig at least a couple of times a week, then this might not be the storage option for you. Since the wig will be on a stand, it will be exposed to dust accumulation and possibly sunlight. If the wig is not used frequently, then it might actually damage the wig over time.

Hang the wig on a wig hanger for easy storage. If you do not have the shelf room for a wig stand or mannequin head, then consider using a wig hanger. Wig hangers typically have a cap-like base to place your wig on and have a long hook attached so you can hang it in your closet. Never hang a wig on objects that are not designed for wigs. Objects like bed posts or coat hooks can permanently stretch the cap of the wig.

Pick a storage area that is dry and out of direct sunlight. Sunlight and heat will dull the color of your wig, and break down the hair fibers so much so that the strands will fall out. So store the wig in a cool, dry area to make it last longer. One of the best places to store a wig is in the closet. The dark, cool air will keep the wig from molding or fading.