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.