How Do I Wash My Weave or Hair Bundles?

Now that you have your bundles, how do you take care of them? Properly washing your human hair weave is important, whether you’re installing a new weave or maintaining your existing hair extensions. If you don’t know the first thing about washing a human hair weave, well, you’re in the right place!

We’re going to fill you in on how to wash a human hair weave using a simple step-by-step process.

We’ll give you detailed instructions on how to wash human hair weave, including washing Brazilian hair weave, sew-in weave, leave-out weave, and do’s and don’ts to keep in mind throughout the process.

Why It Is Important to Wash Your Human Hair Weave

Human hair weave, of course, acts just like human hair on your head. Therefore, it should be washed regularly to avoid product buildup. Product buildup and dirt will cause the hair to smell. Additionally, the dirt and oil from your hair can affect your skin. 

Before Installing

Washing your weave before you install it is crucial. A freshly washed weave that is free of residue from manufacturing, shipping, and handling is safer for your scalp than hair that’s fresh out of the package. Clean hair weaves are also easier to work with during the styling process. We wash our hair before we ship it to you, but you can wash it as well, it might have collected some dust in the warehouse and transportation processes.  

After Installing

It is just as important to wash your weave after it is installed. Your stylist can likely also wash and maintain it for you. Believe it or not, some think that once their weave is installed, they don’t have to wash it! Whew! This couldn’t be further from the truth. Unwashed weave gets tangled, looks messy, and may give off a strong odor. To prevent these issues, take the time to wash your human hair weave. 

How To Wash Human Hair Weave: Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you understand the importance of keeping your human hair weave clean let’s get into some instructions for how to wash your weave. 

Gather Your Supplies

Here are the supplies you’ll need to wash an installed human hair weave:

• Sulfate-free shampoo (designed for human hair wigs or weave)
• Moisturizing conditioner
• Plastic shower cap
• Denman brush or wide-tooth comb for detangling
• T-shirt or microfiber towel to dry hair
• Hooded hair dryer or blow dryer with a diffuser attachment

Here are the supplies you’ll need to wash a leave-out human hair weave:

• Denman brush or wide-tooth comb for detangling.
• Moisturizing shampoo for weaves
• Moisturizing conditioner
• Sink faucet or bowl to dilute products in water
• T-shirt or towel to dry the hair

Washing Your Human Hair Weave

The method you should use to wash your weave will vary depending on whether the weave is already installed and incorporated with your natural hair. Follow the steps below according to which type of human hair weave you are washing.

How To Wash a Sew-In Weave With Your Natural Hair

1. Wet your hair with warm water. 
2. Apply your sulfate-free shampoo and work it into the hair from roots to ends. Massage the shampoo into your scalp, around your hairline, and into/underneath the human hair wefts. 
3. Rinse thoroughly, leaving no traces of shampoo behind. It may take several minutes of rinsing to get all the shampoo out. 
4. Follow up with a moisturizing conditioner, working it through your hair and weave from roots to ends. Gently detangle with a Denman brush or a wide-tooth comb. Treating your hair gently will mitigate potential damage to your hair strands.
5. If you’d like, you can put your hair into a shower cap while cleaning the rest of your body. This will allow the hair to fully absorb the moisture from the conditioner.
6. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and remove all traces of conditioner from the hair.
7. Remove any excess water by drying your hair and weave with a t-shirt or towel. A microfiber towel is preferred because it is less harsh on the hair and prevents frizz, but a t-shirt is also an excellent option.
8. Sit underneath a hooded dryer if you have access to one, or use a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment to completely dry your hair and weave. This may take some time. Wet weaves will start to smell like mildew if they are properly dried. 
9. Style your weave and hair with your preferred styling products and tools..

How To Wash a Weave On Its Own

Here are the steps to wash a human hair weave before it is installed:

1. Begin by gently detangling the weave with a Denman brush or wide-tooth comb.
2. Wet the weave with warm water. Hot water may damage the weave.
3. Apply your shampoo of choice to the weave, gently massaging the shampoo throughout the weave.
4. Allow the weave to sit in a sink or bowl of water and shampoo for 5-10 minutes.
5. Thoroughly rinse the shampoo out of the weave until no more bubbles can be seen in the running water. This helps to ensure that no shampoo is left behind.
6. A human hair weave will require moisture in the form of a conditioner, just like your natural hair. Apply a light conditioner, gently working it through the hair so that every hair strand is moisturized. 
7. Allow the weave to soak in a sink or bowl of conditioner diluted with water for 30 minutes to an hour. This will allow the hair to soak in as much moisture as possible.
8. Rinse thoroughly.
9. Allow the weave to dry completely before installing, and detangle it again as needed.

Can I Wash Weave with Dish Soap?

The easy answer - you can... but PLEASE DON'T! Dish soap and detergent can be very harsh on your hair and the weave.

For this reason, we recommend that you use a shampoo specifically designed for wigs, hair weaves, and Brazilian hair bundles.

Do’s and Don’ts of Washing Human Hair Weave

A human hair weave can be a fragile item, so it must be handled with care. Review this list of do’s and don’ts before you get started with the washing process.

Do:

• Be gentle. Treat the weave with the same care and gentleness as you would your natural hair. Proper care is really the best way to ensure that the weave remains in good condition.
• Take your time when drying a sew-in weave after washing your hair to ensure that all of the hair, including the braids underneath, is 100% dry. You use a clean and dry towel, t-shirt, hairdryer, or the old-school air drying method. Leaving moisture in or underneath your weave can lead to mold growth and a putrid smell.
• Combine your wash routine for your sew-in weave with the use of oils. Oils will moisturize your scalp and promote healthy hair growth underneath the weave. Read this article to learn more about the best essential oils.
• Wash your sew-in weave every 1-2 weeks, just as you would your own hair. This range is just a suggestion – depending on your lifestyle and the products you use, you may need to wash your hair more or less often than this recommended timeframe. Just keep in mind that going a long time between washes isn’t recommended.  

Don’ts:

• Don’t use any product on your human hair weave that you wouldn’t use on your natural hair. Using high-quality and nourishing products will increase the longevity of the weave.
• Don’t use excessive amounts of styling products on your hair or the weave. These products can lead to product buildup and dryness and make your weave stiff and looking synthetic.

In a Nutshell

So, there you have it – all the information you need to correctly wash and maintain your weave hair. When maintained properly, a sew-in human hair weave can last one to two months.

Take your time when washing weaves and while styling your weave to ensure that it remains in the best condition possible. We hope that this article is helpful to you, allowing you to wash your weave thoroughly without damaging it or your natural hair.