You can wash a braided human hair in the shower, but it requires careful handling to avoid damaging the braid structure, loosening the cap, or ruining the fibers (especially for synthetic wigs). Below’s a step-by-step guide to do it safely, plus key warnings to avoid mistakes:
1. First: Check the Wig Material (Critical!)
Shower washing works for both synthetic and human hair braided human hairs, but the process differs slightly—start by confirming your wig’s material:
Synthetic wigs: More sensitive to heat and rough handling. Avoid hot water (use cold only) and harsh scrubbing.
Human hair wigs: Tolerate lukewarm water but still need gentle care to keep braids intact.
2. Step-by-Step: How to Wash in the Shower
Follow these steps to protect the braids and cap:
Prep Before Getting Wet
Detangle gently: Use your fingers (or a wide-tooth comb for human hair) to smooth loose strands along the braids. Focus on the ends—never yank tangles, as this can pull apart braids.
Secure the wig (optional but helpful): If the braided human hair is loose, use a hair tie to gently secure the braids into a low ponytail (avoid tight ties—they can crease the braids). This keeps the braids from tangling with each other in the shower.
Shower Washing Process
Adjust water temperature:
Synthetic wigs: Use cold water only (hot water melts synthetic fibers, ruining the braid shape).
Human hair wigs: Use lukewarm water (not hot—hot water strips moisture and fades color).
Wet the wig gently:Hold the braided human hair by the cap (not the braids) and let the water run over it from top to bottom (avoid soaking the braids aggressively). Keep the water pressure low—high pressure can push apart braid weaves.
Apply shampoo (sparingly!):
Use only wig-specific shampoo (synthetic wig shampoo for synthetic; sulfate-free shampoo for human hair). Regular hair shampoo is too harsh for wig fibers.
Pour a small amount (1–2 teaspoons) into your palms, lather lightly, then gently massage the cap interior (where oil/dirt builds up) and the exterior of the braids (avoid scrubbing the braid strands directly).
Never rub or twist the braids—this loosens their structure and causes frizz.
Rinse thoroughly:Hold the braided human hair under running water again (cold for synthetic, lukewarm for human hair) until all shampoo suds are gone. Rinse from top to bottom—residue left in the cap or braids can cause itching or fiber damage.
Post-Shower Care (Don’t Skip!)
Remove excess water gently: Press the braided human hair between two clean towels to squeeze out water—do NOT wring or twist (this stretches the cap and breaks braids).
Dry properly:
Synthetic wigs: Lay flat on a towel or place on a wig stand (avoid direct sunlight or heat sources like hair dryers—they melt fibers). Air-dry fully (6–8 hours).
Human hair wigs: Pat dry with a towel, then air-dry on a wig stand. If you need to speed up drying, use a hair dryer on the cool, low setting (hold it 6–8 inches away from the braids).
3. Key Warnings: What to Avoid
❌ Don’t scrub the braids: Aggressive scrubbing will fray synthetic fibers or loosen human hair braids—stick to gentle massaging on the cap.
❌ Don’t use hot water for synthetic wigs: Even warm water can warp synthetic braids, making them look frizzy or misshapen.
❌ Don’t leave the wig soaking: Unlike natural hair, braided human hair don’t need to “soak”—prolonged water exposure weakens the cap’s stitching.
❌ Don’t hang the wig by the braids to dry: This pulls the braids downward, stretching them out of shape. Always use a wig stand or lay flat.
Final Note: Is Shower Washing the Best Option?
While possible, hand-washing in a basin is gentler for braided human hairs—it lets you control water flow and avoid accidental tugging. Shower washing works if you’re in a hurry, but always prioritize gentle handling to keep your wig looking neat for longer.