How to Get Rid of Knots in a Wig

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If your wig has spent time in storage or hasn't been brushed for years, it's no surprise that the formerly silky-smooth locks have knotted up. Tangles develop in both human hair and synthetic hair wigs, and once they've set in, it's a chore to get rid of them. Even if your wig is severely tangled, though, you may not need to toss it just yet. With a brush and a bit of fabric softener, you can banish knots and restore your wig to its original beauty.

Light Tangles

Step 1

Combine one part liquid fabric softener with four parts water in a spray bottle. Shake well.

Step 2

Place the wig on a wig stand. Spray a 1- to 1.5-inch section of tangled hair with the fabric-softener mixture.

Step 3

Hold the hair section in your hand. With the other hand, work a wide-tooth comb through the tangles from the bottom up.

Step 4

Spray another section of hair with the solution and comb gently to remove tangles. Continue working your way up the wig until all knots are gone.

Step 5

Wrap the hair sections around rollers and allow them to dry. When dry, remove the rollers.

Step 6

Spray the entire wig with the fabric-softener solution. Brush the hair with a wig brush and style as usual.

Heavy Tangles

Step 1

Mix four parts water with one part liquid fabric softener in a spray bottle.

Step 2

Fill a sink or tub with cool water. Add one capful of liquid fabric softener.

Step 3

Put the wig in the water and submerge it completely. Allow it to soak for 5 minutes.

Step 4

Separate large knotted clumps of hair with your fingers, starting at the bottom of the wig and moving up to the top. Leave the wig in the water for another 5 minutes once you've removed as many clumps as you can.

Step 5

Drain the water and refill the tub or sink with clean, cold water. Rinse the wig well.

Step 6

Drape the wig over a wig stand and allow it to dry completely. Alternatively, pin the wig to a hanging clothes dryer with clothespins. If you do this, don't pin the front of the crown to the dryer line. Doing so may permanently alter the wig's forehead shape.

Step 7

Spray the wig generously with the fabric-softener solution.

Step 8

Run a wig brush through the hair to work out remaining tangles. Start brushing from the bottom and go up.