Weave hair just like natural hair needs to be washed. This article will show you how to thoroughly clean your bundles.
How to Wash Weave Hair
1. Detangle
The first thing you want to do is make sure your bundles are de-tangled. If you are washing new bundles, then you don’t have to worry about this step. However, if you are washing used bundles, then make sure they are fully de-tangled so that you can shampoo and penetrate the hair better. It also keeps the hair from being pulled out in the washing process.
The best way to detangle is by using a detangling brush. This kind of brush is the most gentle on hair and being gentle is needed when working with bundles. Also, make sure to comb from the ends of the hair to the top of the track. If you comb from the top first, then you risk pulling out more hair.
If you find that your bundles are really tangled, you can wet the hair and use conditioner to help you brush through it better. The conditioner will soften the hair and add slippage so that it is easier to run the brush through.
2. Shampoo
When you wash the bundles, be sure to use lukewarm water, If the water is hot, it will strip the hair of moisture leaving them brittle. If the water is too cold, then it won’t clean the hair well.
Fill the sink with water and then apply some shampoo to the bundles. Clarifying shampoo is the best to use in this case because it strips the hair of dirt and grease better than a regular shampoo. If your hair is brand new, you should still use a clarifying shampoo because the chemicals used in the shipping process also need to be removed so that your hair can have a more natural texture and smell to it.
When you apply the shampoo to the bundles, gently work it through the hair. You don’t want to scrub the hair really hard as you would with natural hair because you can pull the hair out that way and cause the bundles to be less dense. After you feel that the hair is clean by the way it looks and feels, rinse it out thoroughly with lukewarm water.[1]
3. Condition
After you have shampooed the bundles, you need to condition them to restore their moisture. Use a conditioner to restore the moisture that the shampoo has stripped away. Good conditioners are free from sulfates and parabens – which damage the hair over time. If you do not condition the hair, it will be dry and brittle when you try to style it.
If you want maximum moisture restoration, then use a deep conditioner. Deep conditioners work to penetrate the hair follicles and bring back moisture into really dry hair. A deep conditioner works best with steam to make sure that there is optimal penetration. You can place your bundles in a plastic bag to trap steam which will help the conditioner penetrate the hair.
Once you have combed the conditioner through and placed the bundles in a plastic bag, let it sit for 30-60 minutes. Once you are done conditioning, rinse the hair with lukewarm water. You can also do a final rinse with really cold water to seal in the moisture. Rinsing with cold water is especially good for curly hair, which makes the curls pop even more. Moisturized curls are the key to definition and shine.
4. Dry
To dry the bundles simply place them on a towel so that the water gets absorbed. Don’t rub the bundles with the towel because that would be too rough on the hair. You could also pat the bundles with a microfiber towel for a faster drying time. Microfiber towels are softer and more absorbent than cotton. After the hair has dried a bit, then you can hang dry it. Ideally, hang dry the wig overnight to ensure that it is completely dry.
How often should I wash my weave?
If you have a human hair weave it should be washed at least once every two weeks, just like your natural hair does. The hair will accumulate dirt, swat, debris, etc. so all of that needs to be washed out if you want your weave to remain fresh. Your weave may also experience product buildup if you regularly use styling products on it. In this case, you may need to co-wash your wig with conditioner before the 2-week mark.
Can you wash the weaves in the washing machine?
Although it may seem like a good alternative, I advise you not to try to wash your weave in the washing machine. Even on a gentle cycle, the weave can get very tangled as it is being washed. The washing machine is too rough and has too many fast movements to be an effective way to wash your weave. Also, the weave hair can get stuck in the holes or any crevice in the machine and rip out as it is spinning. With that said, be sure to hand wash your weave as gently as possible.
How can I make my weave look new again?
If you find that your weave is becoming dry and tangled, then there are several methods of reviving it. You can deep condition the weave to restore moisture and shine. You can also boil the weave hair to soften it. When you boil the hair you also need to use conditioner in the water so that the hair can absorb it. An easy way to revive your weave is to apply oil to it. Oil can restore moisture and shine to hair. Argan oil is a great oil to use, and so is jojoba oil.
The Final Word
Clean hair is one of the best ways to keep your weave fresh. Making sure you wash your weave correctly will make it last even longer.
