We want to keep our wigs clean and lustrous every time we wear them. However, cleaning a lace front wig the wrong way can permanently damage it. Lace front wigs are a little more sensitive than wigs with standard wig caps, so cleaning them should be accompanied with the utmost care and patience.
Taking good care of your lace front wig is crucial. Not only will it help maintain the wig’s quality, but it will also avoid dirt and oil build-up on the lace cap. Not cleaning your lace front wig may cause skin irritation and permanent damage to your wig.
This article will give you helpful information on how to properly clean a lace front wig and maintain its luster even after several uses.
How to Clean a Lace Front Wig
There are two general methods to clean your wig. Method one includes removing excess glue from the lace cap, which is necessary after every use.
Method two involves cleaning the hair wig using a dry shampoo, which is a suitable option if you have a limited time to clean your wig or if you didn’t use glue during application.
Method 1: Removing Excess Glue
Removing your lace front wig is as tricky as installing it, especially if you use adhesives. Once you remove your wig, it’s essential to clean it to remove excess glue and dirt.
This section will share detailed steps to clean your lace front wigs by removing excess glue. Here are the materials you need to prepare:
- Adhesive remover or 99 percent isopropyl alcohol
- Cotton pad or sponge tip dab
- A bowl or bucket
- Lukewarm water
- Mild wig shampoo
- Wig mannequin or stand
Step 1: Remove the Wig from Your Head
Soak a sponge tip dab or cotton pad in 99 percent isopropyl alcohol or adhesive remover, then dab it on your skin where you applied the wig adhesive. Once you feel the glue coming loose, you should easily be able to remove the lace cap from your head.
Note: Don’t force remove it, as it may permanently damage your wig’s lace cap. Let the alcohol or adhesive remover loosen the adhesive’s hold for a couple of minutes before pulling the wig off your head. If you are using wig tapes, make sure that you remove the adhesive tape together with the lace cap to avoid damaging the lace cap.
Step 2: Remove Adhesive from the Lace Cap
Once the wig is off, remove the excess adhesive from the lace cap. Wig adhesives usually come with adhesive remover, but if you don’t have one, you can use 99 percent isopropyl alcohol.
To remove the adhesive, dab the remover or alcohol on the lace cap where the tape or glue was applied. Wait two to three minutes before removing the tape and other residues from the lace cap.
The part of the lace just below your hairline usually has the most build-up and residue. You can clean these off by soaking the frontal part of the wig in a bowl of adhesive remover. Wait 15 minutes before using your fingers to remove the residue. By this time, the glue should be easily removed. If not, soak it a bit longer.
Note: There are different types of wig adhesives, and some are stronger than others. Stronger brands may need a longer soaking time to be removed entirely. Think it’s a hassle to remove glue from a lace front wig? This guide gonna show you how to install a lace front wig without glue.)
Step 3: Detangle the Hair
Using your fingers, gently remove any tangles from the hair before applying shampoo. After detangling, gently comb the hair with a wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends and going up to the base. Continue this step until there are no more tangles left.
Note: Depending on how often you use them, lace front wigs usually need to be washed after six to eight wears. You don’t have to wash them after every use, as overwashing dramatically reduces their lifespan and quality. If your wig is still relatively clean and not due for washing, you can skip ahead to Step 9.
Step 4: Shampoo the Hair
If your wig is due for a wash, it’s time to apply wig shampoo. To do this, rinse the hair using lukewarm water. Start one inch from the lace down to the ends of the hair. Then, dilute the wig shampoo in a water-filled basin. Let the hair soak in the basin for about a minute.
Step 5: Rinse the Wig
When the minute is up, rinse the entire wig with lukewarm water. Gently squeeze the water from the hair, starting one inch from the base down to the ends of the hair.
Step 6: Blot it Dry with a Towel
Now, remove excess water from the hair using a clean towel. Pat the hair dry, don’t rub. Rubbing can cause frizziness, damage, and shedding.
Step 7: Dab Alcohol in the Lace Cap
Dab a small amount of alcohol on the lace cap. This will help draw the remaining water from the knots for easier drying.
Step 8: Air-dry the Wig on a Wig Stand or Mannequin
Next, put the wig on a stand and let it air-dry for 12 to 24 hours. Ensure that the wig stand or mannequin is the same size as the lace cap so as not to stretch or misshapen the wig.
Not storing your wig properly while drying can cause it to lose shape. You might have a harder time putting it on again if this happens.
Step 9: Comb and Style as Usual
Once the wig is completely dry, you can style and part it any way you want. Remember to comb the hair starting from the ends and to go up to the base so that it will not cause too much friction on the hair and cause shedding.
After styling or fixing hair, you may re-apply the wig or store it in a clean and dry place. This can be on a wig mannequin head, silk bag, or container box.
Method 2: Using Dry Shampoo
If you’re in a rush and have no time to clean your wig, you can opt for a dry shampoo instead. This method is suitable for wig wearers who don’t use wig glue or adhesive to apply their wigs. Using dry shampoo is also an excellent way to revive your wig’s luster without soaking and air-drying it.
Here are the things that you’ll need for this method:
- Dry shampoo for wigs
- Wide-tooth comb or wire wig brush
- Wig stand or mannequin head
Step 1: Detangle the Wig
Put the wig on a wig stand or mannequin head and gently detangle the locks using your fingers. After that, use a wide-toothed comb for curly hair or a wire wig brush for straight hair to remove the remaining tangles. Brush your hair starting from the ends and going up. Continue doing this until the comb flows smoothly through the hair.
Step 2: Apply Dry Shampoo
After detangling the hair, it’s time to apply dry shampoo. Dry shampoo is shampoo in the form of an aerosol spray or powder. Unlike standard shampoos containing sulfates responsible for creating a lather to remove oil and dirt from hair, dry shampoo is milder and absorbs the oil and dirt instead.
If you bought a dry shampoo in an aerosol spray, apply it by spraying it one foot away from the wig. Use sparingly but evenly.
On the other hand, if you are using dry shampoo in the form of a dry powder, apply it first on a hairbrush, then use it to comb the hair.
Pro Tip: There are different types of dry shampoos. Some are intended for dark hair, while some are for blonde and light-colored hair, so make sure to buy one that’s meant for the color of your wig.
Step 3: Comb and Style as Usual
Now, comb to spread the dry shampoo throughout the hair. Once the dry shampoo has taken effect, you will notice that your wig’s hair is less greasy and more manageable. You can then style your hair using a curler or a hair straightener.
After styling, wear your wig or store it in a clean and dry place.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions relating to cleaning a lace front wig and their quick answers.
Can hot water remove glue from lace wig?
Using hot water alone may not be enough to efficiently eliminate adhesive from a lace wig. The glue applied to lace wigs is generally intended to be sturdy and long-lasting, making it difficult to remove using only hot water. To tackle this, it’s advisable to employ an adhesive remover with lukewarm water since hot water can potentially harm both the lace and the hair.
How often should you wash your lace front wig?
Generally, we recommend washing your wigs every 10 to 14 days, but if you wear them only once or twice a week, you can wash them every 2 to 4 weeks. You should wash your wig more often if you live in a polluted area or sweat a lot.
Wrap-up
Cleaning your wig is necessary to maintain its quality and prolong its life. There are ways to properly clean your lace front wig without risking damage. It can be strenuous and time-consuming, but it is necessary to keep your lace front wig in top shape.
I hope this article helped you properly clean your lace front wig. Should you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to contact us.
