How to Wash Human Hair Extensions: Step by Step
Short answer: Detangle first, wash with a sulphate-free shampoo, condition for at least 10 minutes (virgin Remy hair), rinse well, and let the hair dry naturally. Use a water filter if your water is hard. Done this way, human hair extensions can last 1 year or longer, depending on how you look after them. Some of our clients have had the same hair for 5 years. This is our experience, not a guarantee.
Extensions are real human hair, so they need the same kind of care as your own hair, with a little more patience. Unlike your own hair, they do not get natural oils from your scalp, so over-washing dries them out faster.
Before you start
- Detangle first. Brush gently from the ends up with a wide-tooth comb or a soft brush. Washing tangled hair is how knots turn into mats.
- Use a sulphate-free shampoo. Sulphates strip natural oils and dry out human hair.
- Have a conditioner ready. Conditioning is the step that matters most for extensions.
- Think about your water. Hard water leaves a mineral film that makes hair rough and tangle-prone, and it is a common cause of matting. A shower water filter is what we recommend. See why hair extensions mat and how hard water makes it worse.
How to wash human hair extensions, step by step
- Brush out the tangles from the ends up.
- Wet the hair with lukewarm water, letting it run down the length in the direction the hair falls.
- Apply a small amount of sulphate-free shampoo and work it in gently with your fingers. Do not rub, twist or scrunch the hair into a ball.
- Rinse until the water runs clear.
- Apply conditioner from mid-length to the ends. Keep it away from the roots, where the hair is attached, and leave it in for at least 10 minutes for virgin Remy hair. Other grades of hair need at least 20 minutes.
- Rinse well so no conditioner is left behind.
- Squeeze out the water and pat the hair with a soft towel. Do not wring or rub it.
- Detangle again while the hair is damp, gently, from the ends up.
- Let it dry naturally. Do not sleep on wet hair and do not leave it bundled up while damp.
If your extensions are attached to your own hair
Many people ask how to wash their own hair while wearing extensions. The same rules apply: a sulphate-free shampoo, gentle hands, no scrubbing at the attachment, and conditioner kept away from the roots. Wash and dry the area where the extensions are attached with care, and follow your stylist’s advice for your attachment method, since it depends on the method used. We do not give attachment or installation instructions, so ask your stylist.
How to wash clip-in extensions
Clip-ins come off, so wash them separately:
- Take them out, brush them gently, and open all the clips.
- Wash and condition them as in the steps above, taking care not to scrub the weft (the stitched top edge).
- Hang them, or lay them flat, to dry fully before you put them away or wear them again.
Our clip-in extensions are made from the same hair as our bundles, so the care rules are the same.
How often should you wash extensions?
Only as often as they need it. Extensions do not get oil from your scalp, so they stay clean longer than your own hair and dry out faster if they are washed too often. If you are wearing them every day, wash them when they look or feel dirty, or after sweating, swimming or using a lot of product.
Blonde, coloured and double-drawn hair
- Blonde and coloured shades are weaker than the same hair in its natural colour, so wash them more gently and condition them well.
- Double-drawn hair tangles more than single-drawn hair, because all the strands are the same length. Detangle more carefully before and after washing.
- Humid weather makes hair frizz and tangle more. A leave-in conditioner or anti-frizz serum, a light oil on the ends and not over-washing all help.
How to store extensions
- Make sure the hair is completely dry before you put it away.
- Brush it first, then keep it loosely braided or hung so it does not tangle.
- Store it in a breathable bag or box, away from heat and damp.
What to avoid
- Sulphate shampoos and harsh clarifying products
- Rubbing, wringing or twisting wet hair
- Brushing wet hair hard, or starting from the roots
- Going to bed with wet hair
- Washing in hard water without a filter
- Heavy oils and creams at the roots
Washing is only part of the care
Washing well will not make the hair last for ever, and care still decides most of the result. For what decides how long the hair lasts, read how long hair extensions last. For more everyday care, see our general care tips.
FAQ
How do you wash human hair extensions?
Brush out tangles from the ends up, wash with a sulphate-free shampoo using gentle hands, condition for at least 10 minutes (virgin Remy hair), rinse well, pat dry and let the hair dry naturally.
How often should I wash my hair extensions?
Only when they need it. They do not get oil from your scalp, so over-washing dries them out. Wash them when they look or feel dirty, or after sweating or swimming.
Can I use regular shampoo on hair extensions?
We recommend a sulphate-free shampoo. Sulphates strip natural oils, and extensions cannot replace those oils the way your scalp can.
How long should I condition human hair extensions?
At least 10 minutes for virgin Remy hair. Other grades of hair need at least 20 minutes.
How do I wash clip-in hair extensions?
Take them out, brush them gently, open the clips, and wash and condition them separately, taking care not to scrub the weft. Let them dry fully before you wear or store them.
Can I sleep with wet extensions?
No. Wet hair tangles and mats much more easily. Let your extensions dry before bed, and braid them loosely.
Does hard water damage hair extensions?
It can. Hard water leaves a mineral film that makes hair rough and prone to matting. A shower water filter helps.
Does washing make extensions mat?
Washing tangled hair, rubbing it, or washing it in hard water can lead to matting. Detangling first and washing gently reduces the risk.
Do you guarantee how long the hair will last?
No. How long hair lasts depends on how each wearer looks after it, so we do not guarantee it.
