Smiling woman holding a box filled with neatly stored wigs, with the text 'How to Store Wigs' displayed beside her.

How to Store Wigs: Top Tips & Tricks

More and more people are opting to wear wigs, whether for fashion, convenience or even medical reasons. Whatever the motivation may be behind choosing to wear a wig, proper wig storage is essential for good wig care.

This is necessary to ensure that the wigs retain their texture, quality and shape for a long time. Proper wig storage ensures that the wigs have a longer lifespan and are protected from heat, damage and other external factors.

proper wig storage

In this blog post, we will deal with wig storage tips, wig care routine along with wig maintenance tips at home. We will also go over the do’s and don'ts for proper wig care. If you are wondering how to store your wigs at home, we got you covered! Let’s dive right in.

Why Proper Wig Storage is Essential

Improper wig storage can cause a lot of potential issues in wig storage and maintenance. This can happen due to both external and internal factors. Without the right care, wigs can become dry and damaged. Some of the potential issues that may occur are:

  • Tangled hair that are difficult to deal with
  • Dry wig hair that look unpleasant
  • Dirty wigs with degraded fibres/ hair
  • Sun damage causing fading of colour

Wigs are an investment, and they should be treated like one. Whether you are going for artificial wigs or natural human hair wigs, wig storage becomes necessary

By learning how to store wigs at home, you can extend the shelf life and maintain their original appearance like brand new.

Top 8 Expert-Recommended Tips for Storing Wigs

1. Clean Your Wig Before Storage

washing the wig before storing it

One of the most important things to take care of during wig storage is cleanliness. Before putting the wig away for storage, you need to make sure that it is clean. A wig laden with dirt, oil, moisture, sweat is prone to germs and dryness.

Over a long time, this can damage the fibers/ natural hair in the wig. To prevent this, wash it with shampoo and conditioner thoroughly. Before storing, also make sure that the wig is completely dry and detangled.

Also Read: Common Wig Problems & Solutions

2. Use Products Designed for Wig Care

Normal hair care products can prove to be too harsh for artificial wigs. There are a lot of products available that are specifically designed for wig care and storage. Always use products that are formulated solely to protect the fibers of the wigs, such as wig-friendly sprays, shampoos, detanglers etc. 

using the product that is best for the wig

These products are gentle on the wigs and help avoid wig damage. Your wig care routine must always take into consideration using these products

3. Use a Wig Stand or Mannequin Head

Although this may sound like a costly option, the best way to store wigs is on a mannequin hand or special wig stands. One of the major advantages of this method is that the wig cap retains its shape and the hair is not tangled easily.

Mannequin head for the wig storage

If you are a daily user, this is the ideal way to keep your wigs in a good condition for longer periods of time. If a wig stand is not available, you can put tissue paper inside the wig cap for retaining its natural shape.

4. Store in a Breathable Bag or Box

For storing the wigs for a long period of time, using a breathable box or bag is recommended. Using bags or boxes made of  soft fabrics like silk or satin help to allow for airflow. On the other hand, storing wigs in plastic boxes can cause loss of moisture or development of unpleasant odors.

wig storage box

You can also use a silica gel packet inside the storage box to absorb excess moisture. For synthetic wigs, wig maintenance tips suggest using a net cap to prevent frizz due to static friction.

Also Read: Is Sleeping in Your Wig a Good Idea?

5. Avoid Direct Sunlight and Heat

Exposure to direct sunlight and heat is the quickest way to damage wigs. All types of wigs are degraded by the UV rays of sunlight and heat. Direct sunlight can cause fading of colours making the wigs look dull and dry.

This also causes dryness leading to damaged fibers and brittleness. Heat can melt the synthetic fibers of the wig while also leading to split ends and breakage.

Never store wigs in direct sunlight or in humid areas like the bathroom. Best way to store wigs is in a closed drawer or cupboard wrapped in storage bags or boxes.

6. Avoid Storing Your Wig for Extended Periods

If you are storing your wig for extended periods, do not keep it enclosed for weeks or months. Even when you are not using the wig, it is recommended to take it out of storage for brushing.

This helps to let out the air and dryness along with excess moisture. Wigs can develop a musty smell if kept in storage for too long. You can also use a hair serum or leave-in conditioner during wig storage.

If you wear multiple wigs, rotate them and use them in an alternate order to avoid excessive use of one.

7. Detangle Before Storing

detangle before storing

If you are wondering how to store your wigs, it is necessary to detangle them before storing away. This is one of the most important wig storage tips for all types of wigs. To detangle a wig properly, use a wide-tooth comb and brush gently.

Start from the end and gently work your way up. You can also use a detangling spray for curly wigs. Detangling helps prevent breakage and maintains the wigs in a neat style.

8. Store Properly During Travel

Travelling with a wig requires extra care and following a proper wig care routine. To avoid wig damage during travel, store them in a silk or satin bag that prevents friction and frizz. You can also use a zip lock bag for short trips. Here are a few travel-friendly wig storage tips:

- Always pack wigs separately and not with shoes or heavy items
- Carry a brush to detangle from time to time
- Use a wig spray to avoid excessive humidity during travel
- You can also carry an extra wig during travel for better styling

Do’s and Don’ts: How to Properly Store Your Wig

When storing your wig, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what you should do and, more importantly, what you should avoid to maintain its shape and quality. If you're unsure, here are some key dos and don'ts to help you keep your wig in the best condition:

Dos:

Do’s Why
✔️
Store on a wig stand or mannequin head
Helps wigs retain their natural shape and texture.
✔️
Use a storage bag/box
Allows airflow, prevents molds and moisture.
✔️
Keep in a cool, dry place
Prevents heat damage and protects from humidity.
✔️
Clean the wig before storage
Prevents musty smells and dirt buildup.
✔️
Use special care products
Helps maintain fiber quality and prevent dryness.

Don'ts:

Don'ts Why
Store in plastic bags
Prevents friction, moisture, and bad odors.
Expose to direct sunlight
Sunlight fades color and causes dryness.
Store a wig while wet
Encourages mold and bacteria growth.
Leave wigs untouched for long
Wigs can become frizzy, tangled, and stiff.
Brush a wig aggressively
Can stretch and damage fibers.

Best Wig Storage Accessories

wig cap

If you want to keep your wigs shiny and in shape for long, consider investing in these wig storage accessories:

  • Wig Stand: Helps to maintain natural shape and protects the wig cap. You can also use a mannequin stand for this.
  • Wig Storage Box: Ideal for storing wigs for long periods of time. You can also use a silk or satin storage bag for this purpose.
  • Wig Hangers: Good for saving space and storing wigs without damaging them. Wig hangers are cost effective too.
  • Wig-friendly Products: Using specially formulated wig care products like shampoo, conditioner, spray, serum etc, helps extend their shelf life.
  • Wig Net Cap: For synthetic wigs, using a net cap prevents frizz due to static friction. This also helps in avoiding excessive moisture and dirt.

Wig Storage Hacks You Need to Try!

Elegant woman in a traditional blue and gold saree smiling while organizing wigs in an ornate storage box, with the bold text 'Wig Storage Hacks' displayed beside her.
  • Use a Silk Pillowcase – Store your wig inside a silk pillowcase to prevent frizz and tangles.
  • DIY Wig Stand – Use an upside-down plastic bottle or rolled-up towel to keep the wig cap in shape.
  • Dryer Sheets for Freshness – Place a dryer sheet inside the storage bag to keep your wig smelling fresh.
  • Velcro Strips for Easy Organization – Stick velcro strips inside your closet to hang wigs neatly.
  • Portable Wig Bag for Travel – Repurpose a shoe organizer to store and carry multiple wigs safely.
Conclusion

Wigs are an investment and require the same amount of care and attention. Even if it sounds like a lot of work, wig storage at home can be pretty simple. This blog post covers all the necessary tips on how to properly store a wig at home. For wig care, it is important to know both do’s and don’ts of wig maintenance.

Whether you wear wigs daily or occasionally, following these wig maintenance tips will help maintain the style, colour and overall appearance. If you are looking for good quality wigs with longer lifespans, consider checking out the premium quality wigs and hair extensions at Gemeria.

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