The 15 Best Shampoos and Conditioners for Synthetic Wigs

Getting creative and experimenting with wigs is a whole lot of fun. You can change up your entire look with different colored pieces.

With synthetic wigs, you can go from sweet and girly pale blonde curls to bold and seductive deep violet waves in a matter of seconds.

But it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. Maintaining a wig collection also means putting in the effort to take care of them properly.

And it’s never for naught—excellent wig care helps extend the lifespan of your wigs and will keep them looking gorgeous for as long as possible.

One of the most basic ways to care for your wigs is to shampoo and condition them regularly. It helps keep them clean, shiny, and wearable without the smelly odors from sweat and pollution.

Washing your wigs is the key to having them around for a while.

What’s the proper hair care for synthetic wigs?

While human hair needs a lot more time and attention, synthetic wigs are easier to maintain and care for.

That said, there are still many rules you have to keep in mind to retain your wigs’ longevity and keep their integrity intact.

One of the most significant rules you need to follow is never allowing your synthetic wigs to come into contact with anything extremely hot, be it boiling water or heat-styling tools.

This can make the synthetic fibers bend and shrivel up, resulting in tangles and dents in your otherwise smooth wig.

You should also avoid rubbing your wig against anything that can cause static and friction. This can cause frizz and damage your wig permanently.

And when this happens, it’s pretty impossible to rectify. That’s why many wig products are designed to be anti-static.

And lastly, you need to keep your wigs clean. If not, there will be many product buildup and remnants from pollution, making the synthetic hair look dull and even smell foul and dirty. 

You should wash your wig every 4-6 weeks, but if you use your wig daily, you should do so more often, like every week or two.

You’ll also want to increase your washes’ frequency if you live in a hot climate because sweat will likely transfer over to your wig.

How do you shampoo and condition wigs properly?

It’s best to use shampoos and conditioners designed primarily for synthetic wigs so that you get the best benefits for the makeup of your wig.

Shampoos will clean oils and dirt from each strand, while conditioners will bring back bounce, softness, and shine.

Before washing your wig, make sure to brush it out gently to remove all the tangles and knots. This helps make the cleaning process smoother and more hassle-free.

Fill up your sink with cold water and add a tablespoon of your wig shampoo. Slowly immerse your wig into the water and use your fingers to run through the wig strands to clean it. 

Massage the cap areas that touch your skin to make sure you get rid of all the sweat, and makeup stuck there. Once you’re all done, rinse all the soap out, pat dry with a towel, and put it up on your wig stand.

Now, it’s time to condition the hair. Take some wig conditioner into your palm and warm it up by rubbing your hands together.

Carefully apply it onto the synthetic strands, focusing more on the mid-lengths and ends instead of the cap area.

Some conditioners can be sprayed on, which is more convenient and faster to do. A leave-in spray also minimizes stress on the synthetic fibers since you’re touching them less.

When you’re all done, leave the wig to air-dry on the stand. 

Can I use my regular shampoo on synthetic wigs?

Your wigs have a different structure from human hair—they won’t suck up vitamins and nutrients the way your natural hair does.

So using your lovely personal shampoo on wigs might just be pointless and a waste of resources. 

You also run the risk of creating product buildup on the strands of your wig, since they can’t absorb those human hair-loving ingredients. 

If you don’t have a wig shampoo, you can always turn to dish soap or baby shampoo. To condition the hair, a good alternative is fabric softener—after all, synthetic fibers are fabric too.

But at the end of the day, the best hair care products for your wigs are those designed explicitly for them. Here are some of the best shampoos and conditioners for synthetic wigs:

Top 15 Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Synthetic Wigs

1. Brandywine Non-Static Shampoo & Revitalizing Conditioner

Meanwhile, the revitalizing conditioner adds shine and softness to your wig to bring it back to life from dullness and roughness.

2. Awesome Synthetic Wig Shampoo

Because it’s so effective at cleaning out product buildup in your wig, it also creates more volume and body in the strands, making it bigger and bolder for your next glamorous costume.

3. Awesome Synthetic Wig Leave-in Conditioning Spray

This conditioning spray makes combing your fingers through your wig easier. It ensures that your wig has no tangles and knots for the next time you use it.

4. Beautimark Shampoo & Leave-in Conditioner

A little goes a long way with these products. You only need a bit of shampoo to clean your whole wig, and the same goes for the conditioning spray. That means you won’t run out fairly quickly.

5. Jon Renau Fiber Love Shampoo

It also makes your wig smell light and pleasant, never overwhelmingly perfume-y.

6. Jon Renau Fiber Love Conditioning Spray

It smoothens out your locks and detangles it sufficiently so that it stays soft and silky for multiple wears. It also restores the shine that comes with luxurious, high-quality wigs.

7. African Essence Control Wig Shampoo

You’ll find that the hydration levels are superior after washing, so you can air-dry and use them immediately without doing much else.

8. Hairobics Unlimited All Day Synthetic Wig Shampoo

It adds body and lusciousness to the hair, making it look more voluminous. It also leaves a fresh feeling on your wig, so your wig won’t feel heavy next time you use it, even if there’s more volume in the strands.

9. Hairobics Unlimited All Day Leave-in Conditioning Synthetic Wig Spray

This leave-in spray helps to make combing through the strands of your wig a lot easier. So if you often have troubles with knots and tangles in your fave wig, this spray will be your new best friend.

10. SheaMoisture Residue Remover Shampoo

It also has an aloe vera to retain the shine and keep hydration levels healthy, even as the hair is being purified and detoxified. 

11. DeMert Wig & Weave System Shampoo

It’s designed to protect your wig’s color, so you don’t have to worry about harsh detergents washing away the vividness of your beloved wigs.

12. DeMert Wig Luster Conditioner

It comes in an easy-to-spray aerosol can for your convenience—none of those pump sprays that don’t work after you drop them one time.

13. Revlon Texturizing Cleanser for Synthetic Hair

It’s also formulated with marshmallow root, which has an outstanding reputation for its fantastic slip. This smoothens out the hair to make it look soft and natural.

14. Organic Natural Premium Oil-Free Weave & Wig Conditioner & Detangler

It has a fruity scent with notes of tangerine and mango, which helps deodorize your wig and leave it smelling fresh and sweet.

15. Estetica Designs Nourish & Renew Wig Conditioner

That allows you to flip your hair and flaunt your color confidently.

Conclusion

Admiring and basking in the beauty of your wig collection can make you feel like you’re floating in a dream-like fairytale. But every once in a while, you have to get your hands dirty too.

Make sure you shampoo and condition your synthetic wigs regularly to give them the tender loving care they deserve, and so they can go on serving you and your gorgeously whimsical looks for as long as they can.

Shampoo and conditioner are among the most important tools you need on-hand if you love your wigs and properly care for them. Keep them clean, shiny, and luscious, and they’ll love you back for as long as they can.