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AZ Hair extensions are made of 100% human hair; however, because they do not receive natural oils from the scalp like our own hair, they do not need to be washed as frequently as your own hair. In general, the fewer times you wash your extensions, the longer they will last. In this blog post, we’ll go over how to clean your clip-in hair extensions thoroughly, as well as how to restore moisture and shine.
You can use your best judgment on washing them as often as you like, but we recommend only washing them when there is a lot of product build-up. If your extensions are becoming increasingly difficult to style, this is most likely a sign of product build-up and that they need to be washed. We suggest washing them every 30 wears or once a month. Watch the video below for detailed instructions on how to properly wash it, or scroll down for step-by-step directions.
How To Wash Clip In Hair Extensions Step #1: Brushing
The first, and possibly most important, step is to brush your extensions before getting them wet. This reduces the possibility of tangling during and after washing the hair. We recommend brushing your extensions from bottom to top to gently remove any tough knots without pulling the hair out. When working on your extensions, we recommend using a wide-tooth comb or a soft bristle brush.
In preparation for the wash, neatly stack your wefts on top of each other in a bundle, just like you did when you first got them. This will help to keep the hair from tangling with the clips while you’re washing it.
How To Wash Clip In Hair Extensions Step #2: Prepare Your Sink
Make sure your sink is spotless, then plug the drain and start filling it with lukewarm water – we don’t want the water to be too hot or cold.
Squeeze 2-3 pumps or a small handful of shampoo into the water and swirl it around to ensure that the product is evenly distributed. We recommend using hair products that are alcohol-free, sulfate-free, and designed for colored-treated hair or extensions when working with your extensions to ensure the color is preserved.
How To Wash Clip In Hair Extensions Step #3: Shampoo Each Weft
Before and after shampooing, we recommend using a moisturizing, sulfate-free, and alcohol-free conditioner. You even can skip the shampoo and only use conditioner to co-wash your extensions!
- Wash each weft one at a time to avoid tangling and to ensure that each weft is thoroughly washed. If you’re pressed for time, you can tie the extensions together with an elastic and wash them all at once.
- Holding the weft in one hand, submerge it in the water, and gently wash the hair, working the shampoo in with light strokes. When washing, be gentle with the extensions and avoid rubbing them vigorously as you would with your natural hair. After washing the weft with shampoo, place it neatly on a towel and repeat the process for the remaining wefts.
Step #4: Condition Each Weft
After shampooing all of the wefts, it’s time to condition them. Apply a generous amount of conditioner to each weft from top to bottom, massaging the product into the hair thoroughly. Leave on for 5-10 minutes, then thoroughly rinse out each weft. In general, the longer you leave it, the better it will get.
How To Wash Clip In Hair Extensions Step #5: Apply A Deep Conditioner or Hair Mask
This step is critical for keeping your hair extensions soft and moisturized. Take a generous amount of the hair mask and work it into each weft from top to bottom, just like you would conditioner. To allow the product to fully absorb and work its magic, bundle your extensions and carefully coil them before placing them in a shower cap and leaving them overnight. This will help to keep the moisture in during the night.
Step #6: Rinse Out Each Weft
The following morning, thoroughly rinse out each weft, making sure there is no conditioner residue on the hair. A common blunder is washing the hair only halfway, leaving it with “the slip”–that slippery, soft feeling after conditioning. This is a no-no because it actually leaves product on the hair, weighing it down or making it appear greasy when dry.
When rinsing out each weft, use cold water to help close the cuticles of the hair, sealing in moisture and making the extensions shinier.
How To Wash Clip In Hair Extensions Step #7: Air Dry Your Extensions
First, gently squeeze any excess water from the extensions, and never rub your extensions dry with a towel. When possible, we recommend air-drying your extensions. When air drying, use a microfiber towel to remove excess water faster and to avoid roughening the hair (which can also cause tangles).
Place all of the wefts on a flat surface and gently pat away any excess moisture from the hair. Applying a small amount of hair oil to each weft to ensure the hair remains manageable and silky smooth after drying is a trick to preventing frizz.
If you must blow-dry your extensions, use a heat protectant spray prior to blow-drying to ensure that your hair extensions last as long as possible. The most important thing is to make sure you’re blow-drying your hair in a cool setting to avoid heat damage and that you don’t brush it until it’s 90 percent dry. When blow-drying, begin by concentrating on the root of the weft and working your way down to the ends. Blow-dry your hair downwards to not only smooth the cuticle but also to keep it from becoming tangled as it is blown in so many different directions.
Step #8: Comb Each Weft
Combing wet hair is usually not recommended because this is when the hair is at its most fragile; however, you can make an exception to ensure that your extensions dry straight. Brush a wide-tooth comb gently through each weft from bottom to top.
Clip-in hair extensions allow you to achieve your desired look quickly. Protect them from damage and help them last longer by providing them with the care and attention they require and following the steps outlined in this guide. This way, you can not only ensure that they are clean, but also that their moisture and shine are restored.
