Table of Contents:
Hair 
extensions don’t require a high level of maintenance, but a good cleaning routine will keep them looking great longer. Your stylist will give you the instructions for your particular extensions, but for general cleaning, this method is safe for most real hair extensions.
You Will Need:
- Brush
- Comb
- Quality shampoo
- Conditioner
- Water
- Towel
Steps to Wash the Extensions:
- Start by brushing and combing your hair to remove any tangles.
- Gradually add water to moisten the hair. If the hair is dry and you soak it with water, it can swell and create matting and tangles. This can lead to damage for the extensions.
- Comb or brush the hair as you moisten it to keep it from tangling.
- Add an appropriate amount of a good quality shampoo.
- Wash the extensions from the top down while gently working the shampoo into the strands.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water, again working from the top down.
- Apply a quality conditioner, but avoid adding too much. Too much conditioner can cause build up that can lead to tangles. A leave-in conditioner is ideal.
- Wrap your hair in a towel and gently press the excess water out.
- Comb through the extensions and allow them to air dry.
- Style as usual.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Heat can dry out and damage extensions. Use blow drying and styling only when needed to lengthen the life of the extensions.
- Quality extensions cost more, but they hold up better to washing and styling.
- For the best types of shampoo/conditioner, consult your beautician.
To keep the extensions from tangling, use a light mousse and run it through the hair.
Do not use a blow dryer on extensions. Blow drying will damage the hair, so only let them dry naturally.
Don’t wash your hair with extensions for 3-4 days after application. You need to give the bonds time to set properly.
Use oil free products on your extensions.
Don’t overuse styling products on the extensions, that way you only have to wash your hair twice a week or so. It will extend the life of the extensions.
Use a downward motion while washing. Don’t just bundle the extensions on the top of your head as that will promote tangling, just run your soaped up fingers through the weaves and rinse well.
Use a shampoo that is for dry or damaged hair to add moisture back into the extensions.
Make sure when you wash that you wash between the bonds and your scalp. The bonds create a pocket for dirt and bacteria. Getting that area clean is very important.
Brush your hair well before washing. If there are tangles to begin with, they will only be worse after the hair is wet.
Always wash your hair after swimming. Chlorine will dry out your hair anyway and even more so the extensions. Condition well after swimming as well.
Use SULFATE FREE Shampoo. I personally adore Superstar by BedHead. Condition from the shaft, down. Try your best not to get conditioner all over your bonds.
I just got 18′ clip in human hair extensions and they’re so great!
There really aren’t any specific shampoos or conditioners for extensions, so just use the ones that you are using. It would be best to use a shampoo and conditioner for dry hair, so it helps moisten the hair, but any would be good. Pantene and Garnier seemed to work very well for me. After they have been washed, gently towel dry and the easiest for me, is to hang them from a shower curtain. You can either let them hang and air dry or you can blow dry them while they’re clipped to the shower curtain. Make sure you comb them gently or the hair will tear out of the sewn part.
🙂
When you wash your human extensions for the first time, you may notice a colored dye come in the water. Don’t worry! It’s not dirt; it’s just the dye from when your extensions were colored. The color doesn’t change when dried, but over time the dye will fade, depending if it is permanent or not. So if you notice that after a few washes it isn’t your hair color, take it to a hair care store or any store that sells hair dyes – and your problem will be easily solved!
After blow drying your hair, it most likely will look dehydrated, dry and unhealthy, even though it had been conditioned. Just dry it until all is dry, then using a hair straightener, go over the sections a few times. It instantly makes the hair shiny and smooth. From there, you can do whatever styles you want, like curling.
Good luck girls! 😀
Hi, I just have a couple of questions. Today I got human hair clip in extensions. I want to wear them all the time. Is it necessary to take them out or can you carry on like they’re part of your normal hair? Can you have a shower and wash your hair in the shower wearing the clip-in extensions? Can you wear them in bed?
Thanks,
Lisa
You can leave them in all the time, but I wouldn’t recommend it because the clips will start to go rusty and it is pretty much impossible to wash your own hair properly with the extensions in. You should wash the extensions by themselves once a week and if you are sleeping in them plait them so they don’t get tangles!
I have had trouble trying to find the right product to prevent my itching scalp under my weave. Can you please tell me what I should use?
Hi all! I wear the clip in Remy human hair extensions. PROBLEM! They keep tangling! I use the Redken moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. I let them dry by a low fan.
Any suggestions on what I can use to get the tangling to stop? HELP PLEASE!
Thank you so much for any advice!
Anyone know how to get stains out of the human hair extensions? I accidentally spilled red juice on it and now they are stained! and regular shampoo doesn’t work.
Simply dye the hair extension the color again.
Will the human hair extensions go back to being straight after you wash them or will they be frizzy?
When I wash my own my own hair it gets really poofy, but I don’t want people to tell the difference between my hair and the extensions after I wash them.
I got my weave sewn in less than a month ago, and recently washed them using Johnson’s gentle baby shampoo and then conditioned them with the best conditioner ever: silicon mix. my hair was so soft, frm top to end, but it was poofy, but really soft may I stress. I bought a detangler, but the frizzyness seems to overcome it, unless its flat ironed. and then I have to put pink oil or hair polish, but then it lacks movement and so I have to wrap it and then blow dry it. Even then it kinda feels greasy and all, not like it did when it was brand new. Any recommended products? I’m going to buy Tresemmé salon silk serum and see how that goes.
Fingers crossed 😀
Don’t put moose on your hair extensions; they won’t last as long otherwise.
I have black hair, yet I got dark brown because the lady recommended them to me. So, I just bought them. I dyed them black. Whenever I wash them, purple comes out, and I’m guessing it’s the hair dye. After a while, my extensions started getting like dark brown spots again. Am I doing something wrong when I wash them, or what? They are getting kinda thin ): – is there anything I can do about that?
Well, I just got my 20″ straight extensions and there great! 100% human hair. They’re so nice; I love them! Don’t brush when wet, as that will cause it to tangle and go messy when dry.
Also, I use the new Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Shampoo, but I use a leave-in conditioner. I use the Loreal Paris Elvive thermo-active protection milk (anti-breakage).
1. Wash hair with shampoo (I always mix shampoo with a little water).
2. Whilst wet, put on leave-in conditioner; lay on a flat towel on a flat surface.
4. Let it air dry COMPLETELY.
5. Brush with a bristle brush.
6. Style as usual. (This info. is best for 100% human hair extensions.)
I just got 18″ human hair extensions (sewn in) and I see that they get a little frizzy when I dampen them to style and then comb them out, so I simply re-dampen and use a lite hair spray on them and voila! No frizzies! You can also use a nickel sized amount of conditioner,rub into the palms of your hands, and apply mid-shaft, then let air dry, works wonders!
Hi all,
I just got bonded human hair extensions and they are beautiful; I have had them for about two weeks. The only problem: towards the bottom my scalp is terribly itchy. How can I fix this… please help me!!!
Hi, I had human hair extensions put in 2 weeks ago and was told I could put my hair up in a ponytail without the bonds showing, but I’ve tried and can’t stop them from showing. any tips? Also, is it normal for the bonds to look white?
I have been wearing hair extensions for two years now, and I have finally figured out the secrets to caring for them!
~First, spend the extra money on Indian Remy hair it’s so worth it the quality of the hair is superior and last so much longer!
~I recommend shampooing every other week, with a sulfate-free shampoo. Be sure to shampoo in a downward direction not tangling the hair. A couple of my go-to sulfate free shampoos are: Kera Care Shampoo for Weaves and Extensions, Kimble Untangle Shampoo, and Living Proof’s No Frizz Shampoo.
~Use a conditioner with a silicone or protein base-these type of conditioners help to rehydrate the hair and keep the tresses soft and beautiful! Allow the conditioner to set for 5-10 minutes then rinse. A couple of my go-to conditioners are: VVV Silky by Violet and Kimble Untangle Conditioner.
~Do not I repeat do not blow dry your hair extensions allow them to dry naturally or sit under a hooded dryer with the heat on a low setting!
~Once the hair is completely dry style as usual, trying to avoid adding an excess of products!
I recently had human hair extensions put in, and was told not to wash my hair myself, or if I did – not to put conditioner in the root? Is this true? I haven’t washed my hair yet, but really want to, lol. It’s so long and heavy; I’m used to washing my hair every day. Any tips? Sassy X
Sarah – Yes its true.. you shouldn’t put conditioner too near to the bonds as it will loosen them, but you want to put a lot of conditioner on the mid-lengths to bottoms to keep them moisturized.
I temporarily want to have longer hair so I got some cheap 12″ Vienna [I think that’s the name] human hair extensions. The thing is, my hair is turquoise and blue. I plan on having these glued in and I was wondering if I’m supposed to color them before I get them glued in, or after.
What is the best way to wash/condition/dry/style glue-in extensions?
I have a cosmetologist friend putting them in for me, but it’s still in a huge, long weft and I don’t know what parts of the extensions to color which color… So if I need to color them before putting them in, I don’t know what to do.
I just got my hair extensions put in (bonded) a little under two weeks ago now and I totally adore them, however I assumed my itchy scalp was because of dandruff, perhaps caused by the extensions. So tonight I stupidly used the worst shampoo on my hair; Head and Shoulders. Does this mean they will all fall out? Even if I only used this once?
For Christmas, I got wavy clip-in 100% human hair extensions that had hairspray in them and had also been pressed (you could tell) so I washed them with shampoo and conditioner and they went all frizzy and dry and absolutely horrible. My friend (who has very healthy hair extensions) told me to wash them again, brush them, blow-dry on cool, and brush them again, they came out much nicer, but they are still very frizzy and dry. I started using leave-in conditioner, but this hasn’t given me quick results. So my sister (who has $1200 clip in extensions) told me to put treatments through it because that helps, so I put a dry Pantene intensive treatment through it and am now letting them air dry; they have dried a little so far and they still look lifeless and dry. I have no idea what to do. Please help me!
I bought a set of clip in extensions (100% human hair) and when I washed them, they came out kind of dry, and they didn’t look that healthy anymore. I kept them for a while, but it just kept getting worse.
I have bought a new set and I don’t want to wash them. I don’t want them to be all dry and frizzy and have to waste more money. What can I do to keep them from looking dry and frizzy? To keep them nice and healthy and frizz free!?
Just make sure you leave in the conditioner for five minutes beforehand and use dry and damaged hair shampoo. Anyone know if I can wash two-week-old real clip-in hair extensions? They are getting taily and dry. 🙁
I’ve had this fake hair extension ponytail clip for months (and never washed it… No one told me, lol!) and it’s not looking very good. Any tips on how to get it looking good again? I’m also looking for some real hair extensions, pony tail and maybe something else as well like the Jessica Simpson ones. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks 🙂
I just got my hair extensions. It’s Indian human hair. I went to the gym and forgot to tie it up, so now it’s tangled in the back/neck part of the head. Is there any way to get the tangles out?
On the box of my hair extensions, these are the directions on how to wash them:
Apply a small amount of shampoo into a bowl of water.
Gently dunk hair in and out of the soapy water. Do not rub or wash too vigorously.
Rinse out the shampoo thoroughly, apply conditioner and comb through gently starting at the ends and working through to the root area.
Rinse again and lay the flat hair to dry. If you require a wave, wrap the extensions around two fingers whilst wet, then place on a flat surface ready for use.
Hope that helps =]
Yes, you wash your hair extensions just like your hair. I’ve washed mine in hot and cold water; it doesn’t make them go wrong.
I have had clip-in extensions and I now have proper hair extensions with bonded glue.
Clip-ins are fine to wash; it’s best to put lots of conditioner on them, rinse them out and leave them to dry naturally.
In terms of real hair extensions, you do just wash them like your normal hair, but try to avoid really lathering up your hair. I find it best to separate my hair so I wash the top quarter separate and then with my hair extensions. Just gently run shampoo though it with my fingers and then the same with conditioner.
It’s okay to wash near the root, but try not to get so much shampoo and product on the top bit because it can make the glue soft.
I usually let my hair dry naturally, this will keep the hair extensions nicer for longer without them going frizzy on the ends.
Also, when I sleep, I tend to put my hair to one side to stop it getting all matted.
Hope this helps! 🙂
You wash them the same way as your own hair, but you leave to dry naturally.
Here are some top tips:
*Brush while they have shampoo / conditioner in.
*Leave to dry naturally.
*Platte for curls instead of tongues.
*Wash every week.
*Use yogurt, it makes it smooth.
*Use natural shampoo and conditioner.
*Warm water.
*Brush every day.
*Put somewhere like on a mannequins head.
*Don’t dry with hair dryer.
Enjoy your hair!! If you need to know anything else, ask me!! 😀
I’ve worn hair extensions for three years, if you have clip-in hair extensions, washing your hair extensions to much can be a problem since they don’t have natural oils like your real hair does, they may dry out and fray easily. I suggest you wash your clip-in hair extensions once every three weeks if you wear them everyday. Only use conditioner and pat dry. DO NOT use a blow drier. If you are not wearing your extensions every day you can let your hair extensions go even longer. If you are going to do lots of straightening or curling to your hair I suggest using a heat protection product. If you have clip-ins do not sleep with them in for tossing and turning will damage your real hair. For bonded hair extensions, it’s fine to wash your hair as normal but don’t put conditioner near the glue as this will soften it. Braid your bonded extensions before bed, knots will also loosen the glue. When brushing either bonded or clip-in hair extensions while in your head, hold towards the top as (where a hair elastic would go) and brush lightly. This way you are not loosening them from your scalp. Air dry.
Hello Erica and Jessica,
You don’t use moose because it ruins them. I think that it’s better if you wash them and then platt them. I think that you should use shampoo that has yogurt mixed in or you could add yogurt yourself, as yogurt makes hair smoother and gives you more of a natural color.
Okay, first thing you do is run them under cold water and use a mild shampoo to wash them, like Pantene or pretty much anything. Then you let them naturally dry by themselves. Make sure when you take them out, you’re careful and don’t twist them to get the water out. Just start from the top and move your hand downwards, holding with a firm grip.
Hello Jasmine,
When you wash hair extensions, take them out of your hair. They might get tangled up in your hair and plus, you might want to use a hair dryer. If you are hoping to go out in them, it’s best to wash them a couple of days before. Make sure that you keep them in a tidy place where they won’t get dirty. Good Luck! <3 🙂
Hey Becki,
I have worn hair extensions for a long time now and I know a lot about them. If you’re going clubbing, then you will need to have your hair extensions in tip-top condition. If I were you, I would put Shockwaves mousse on before you go. Use natural yogurt instead of normal shampoo and conditioner. This will smooth the extensions and make them smell and look nice. They will be nicer for longer; remember to rinse the yogurt out afterward. DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT go to the gym in them. They make them sweaty and smelly and also frizzy. If I were you, I would leave your hair extensions at home. Unless you want frizzy extensions, don’t take them. Dry naturally. Good Luck! x 🙂
Hello Georgia,
Here’s some hair extension info:
You wash them the same way as your own hair, but you leave them to dry naturally.
Here are some top tips:
Brush while they have shampoo or conditioner in.
Leave to dry naturally.
Platt for curls instead of tongues.
If you want straight hair, leave them under a book. You will be suprised how straight they will look!
Wash every week.
Use yogurt, it makes it smooth.
Use natural shampoo and conditioner.
Warm water.
Brush every day.
Put somewhere, like on a mannequins head.
Don’t dry with a hair dryer.
Enjoy your hair!! If you need to know anything else, ask me!! 😀
I have extensions. They’re purple. It’s okay if you just shower – they may fade, but you have to shower.
When I brush my hair in the end, I can’t use a comb because it pulls on the part where it’s connected to your hair, so it’s better to use a brush. You also have to be careful not to do anything that can pull or tug on them because they can get lose and fall off.
It’s also good to go to the salon where you got them done every month or so to get them tightened. Yeah, they will fall out eventually, but if you do this, they’ll last a bit longer.
I’ve had some problems with shedding due to using conditioners that didn’t work well with my keratin bonded extensions. Does anyone have any experience with a particular brand of shampoo/conditioner that is definitely safe to use for this type of extension?
Try shampoo on your dry hair, then rinse with water. Hope it helps.
Hi. I have recently had my extensions weaved in, but I wasn’t told that I shouldn’t blow-dry them. Now I have and they have gone all dry. Is there anything I can put on them to soften them again?
Thanks! 🙂
You will know when they need to be washed, just make sure your not damaging them.
You should wash them with warm water, it may not matter, but it’s good in warm. Fill your sink/whatever your using up. Add a little dab of conditioner in the water and mix it around. Soak the extensions in there for about five minutes and then rinse. Wash them with shampoo like you would your hair. Rinse and then do the same with conditioner.
It is better to leave them to dry naturally! As your laying them out, brush gently! Make sure you’re doing everything gently! (:
I’m reading a lot about how to care for weaves and have run across a suggestion about using yogurt to wash and condition the hair. Can you thoroughly explain how to do this because I would like to try it. I usually just wash mine with any shampoo/conditioner that I already have and let it dry under my vent in my house and it works fine! I usually sleep in mine and have read in one of the posts that one shouldn’t do that because it damages your real hair… I can agree to this because my hair doesn’t even grow anymore and I think it has a lot to do with me sleeping in my clip-on extensions. 🙁
No, no, no, you don’t ever sleep in clip-ins!
I’ve had quite a few different types of extensions. The first place to start is by buying very good quality hair. The best hair I bought was Bohyme human hair and was about $130 a bag (two bags for a full head). This hair is either sewn into rows of braids or pinch braids. It is wonderful and lasted over a year. To make the hair feel less dry, I use specific products that work wonders! Kerastase Nectar Thermique is a leave-in conditioner that is fantastic for extensions. I also use the hair Bain shampoo by Kerastase. If I want to use conditioner that I rinse out, I use Goldwell Kerasilk for extra dry hair. I’ve tried many other products and these are the ones that work the best with all of the real hair extensions I have had (keratin bond, braided rows, and pinch braids).
I recently bought clip-in Remy human STRAIGHT hair extensions and I washed them, but they turned wavy on me. Is this normal? They were straight to begin with.
Hi, I have recently glued in my extensions; I had clips for a long time, but I found they caused bald spots. I took a chance and glued them in myself. They look great. I waited about a week to wash them, but just used my blue shampoo as normal. I had a few wefts fall out, so I glued them back in after they were dry. Is it the way I glued them in or just because of the shampoo I washed them with? The rest of them seem fine. Are they going to all start falling out now? I’m a little worried? Also, are the bonds more delicate when wet?
I’m getting 20″ Remy clip-in hair extensions, and I’ve had a few suggestions to wash them with yogurt and I was just wondering – how I go about this?
Hey, I’m going to get some hair extensions tomorrow, and I’m just wondering how to keep them in good shape, and keep them soft, not dry. Any tips? Thanks!
I had a 16-inch human hair weave sewn in over three trips. How often do I wash my hair? Normally I wash my hair every day. Please help, I don’t want to mess them up. I want them to last as long as possible; I really like them!
So, I’m going to get my hair extensions sewn in today, they are 100% yaki human hair, 20″. I was just wondering, since they will always be in my hair, will they dry out if I wash them or get them wet with water 3-4 times a week? Because I still need to wash my hair. How do I avoid getting soap in my extensions? I really don’t want them to dry out!
Thanks!
I never had them, but I do want to try them for the looks!
I know that it makes the hair dye go away.
I have glue-in extensions and was told to blow dry them. Does it dry them out?
How much conditioner do I need to put in my hair? Should I co-wash it every week?
I have keratin-bonded Indian remy hair extensions and they are beautiful, but I recently started getting dandruff. Does anyone know of any shampoo that I can use that will not damage them? I am trying to look after them by using the correct shampoos, etc., but I have to get rid of this! Thanks.
I got sew-in extensions; most of them were put in on Thursday night and the rest were put in on Saturday afternoon. The places where the braids are located itch a lot. Will it help if I wash them?
Lizzy,
Yes, washing your hair will likely help to relieve the itch.
Air circulation will also help. Try clipping up the top of your hair (like a stylist would to give you a haircut) to aerate the braids periodically.
Source: eHow – How to Make a Weave Stop Itching
Source: WiseGeek – How Do I Sew Hair Extensions
Hi, I got human hair bonded extensions about three days ago and my head is starting to really itch now, so I want to wash it, but I’m worried I’ll mess up the extensions. Any ideas how to wash my hair and scalp ?
Hello. I had extensions put in yesterday and was told not to wash my hair before I had them fitted. Can I wash them today or try just my hair, as it’s so greesy and disgusting? I need to wash it as I need to go out. xx
Laura,
How soon you can wash your hair after getting extensions depends on several factors: the type of extensions that you have (sewn-in vs. bonded), the formula that your stylist used for the bonds, the type of sew-in extensions, etc. The best person to ask would be your stylist or salon.
As an alternative to washing, you could use a dry shampoo. If you don’t have dry shampoo on hand, you can use plain cornstarch, cornstarch mixed with baking soda or cornstarch mixed with cocoa powder for darker hair colors.
Source: aztig urban salon – keratin treatment faq
Source: ModernSalon.com – Damien Carney’s 10 Ways You Can Use Dry Shampoo
Source: Little House Living – Make Your Own Dry Shampoo
Source: Wellness Mama – DIY Dry Shampoo for Dark or Light Hair
Hi. I have had weave extensions in for five weeks now. They are tangling badly. Is there a suggested shampoo and conditioner for them? I love them, but hate the tangle. They seem to tangle half way down. Also if I tie them back at night, as I have been told to. Please help. xx Kay
Kay,
For choosing a shampoo and conditioner for extensions, it is generally recommended that you get ones that are sulfate-free, such as Pureoloy. Also, SoftSheen-Carson has a Weave Care line, which includes a detangler; you can find them in Walgreens or online.
At night, putting your hair in a loose braid or braids would stop the tangling.
Source: Donna Bella Milan – Why Sulphates Damage Hair Extensions
Source: SoftSheen-Carson – Featherlight Detangler
I dye my hair a lot, so it’s really fried and I’m wanting to get sewn in extensions, but I’ve only ever had clip in extensions and I know nothing about the sewn in ones. If I want to wear my hair up, will you be able to see the tracks? My hair is super short.
Hi everyone, The person who does my hair told me to put apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle and mix it with water and spray your scalp; this helps the itching and will cleanse the scalp. She also told me to wear a cap over my head when I shower so as not to wet the area where the extensions were put in, and when washing, run my fingers through the hair same as when conditioning it; this will keep it from tangling. DO NOT RUB THEM AND ALWAYS WORK DOWNWARDS. I have the long 18 inch wavy style so it is now a little frizzy, so I put a leave-in conditioner on it; its softer and not so frizzy BUT IT STILL FEELS DRY?
I got extentions three days ago, but my scalp itches really bad. What should I do?
I got my hot head extensions four days ago. I washed them and conditioned them as I was told and they look like I have split ends. I have tried putting in the serum on the ends and it’s a frizzy mess. What can I do to fix this? I paid too much money on these to begin with. Please tell me there not ruined! P.S. I did blow dry them, but they said it was ok to.