How to Store Wigs and Toupees the Right Way

“How to store wigs” is a common query in the mind of men and women who are new to wigs (or hair systems, hairpieces, toppers, toupees). Unlike real scalp hair, human hair wigs can’t produce natural oils to protect the strands from damage caused by prolonged sun or dust exposure.

That's why taking care of wigs and storing them properly is important to retain their styling and make them look great for a long time. Since a lot of men and women don’t know how to store their best hair replacement systems the right way, we decided to share tips and ideas related to the same.

Keep these tips and ideas in mind to increase the lifespan of wigs and retain styling for a long time. Since some of you might be in a hurry to learn about how to store wigs when not in use, here’s an FAQ version of the blog.

How to prepare wigs and toupees for storage?

Consider these tips to prep human hair units before putting them away at home:

Wash using gentle wig-friendly shampoo
Condition properly
Let them dry naturally or use a hair dryer at low heat.
Detangle using fingers or a wide-toothed comb

What are different ways to store wigs at home?

Here are popular wig storage options to consider in 2022:

Wig headstand
Hanging wig stand
Satin wig bag
Shoebox (not recommended)

Should we place hair wigs or toupees under direct sunlight while storing them?

No, it is advised not to place hair wigs or toupees under direct sunlight or near any other heat source. Direct exposure to the sun over a long period of time can affect color and also make the hair fibers weak and brittle.

Now that we are done with the TL;DR version, let’s learn how to store human hair wigs in detail. But before we talk about that, our readers must understand how to prepare their wigs before storing them in a cool, dry place.

How to Prepare Wigs and Toupees?

Preparing wigs and toupees before storing them is as important as washing new clothes before wearing them. It will also prevent the hair replacement system from losing its original shape. But the question is ‘how do you prepare your wigs and toupees?’

Well, consider these tips to prep hairpieces for men and women before putting them away at home:

#1 Wash the hair wig

Real hair strands get moisturized by oils produced by the scalp but human hair wigs don’t have this advantage. They get dry and stubborn after consistent exposure to dust, sun, wind, and other natural elements. So, the first and foremost thing that men and women should do is wash their hair units the right way.

Don’t use regular shampoo as it could contain harsh surfactants like Sulfates and Parabens. They can leave the wig dry, dull, and increase the shedding rate drastically. Instead, use a gentle wig-friendly shampoo and conditioner.

Done with washing? Gently work fingers through the hair. Skip ruffling to prevent hair toupee from matting. Follow this regime to remove dust and buildup, making the unit super soft and more manageable.

how to store wigs

#2 Dry the hair wig

Human hair wigs need to be dried after washing. That’s because they don’t clutch on to their styling after being washed with shampoo and conditioner. Also, storing damp wigs can cause further damage to real hair fibers, making them shed even more. Even worse, they can become a breeding ground for molds and also absorb harmful chemicals.

The best way to dry a human hair wig before storing it at home is to leave it to air dry. Another option is to use a stand to hold up a human hair unit and blow-dry it before putting it away. Just make sure to apply a heat protectant first. It will pare down the hair damage caused by heat coming out from the blow dryer.

A complete guide on making human hair wigs look new again

#3 Detangle the hair wig

Here’s another important thing to do before storing human hair wigs at home. After cleansing a hair wig with shampoo and conditioner, rinsing it out, and letting it dry, it’s time to detangle. Why? Because shampoo lifts the cuticle of the wig's hair. Put simply, it causes friction and produces tangles.

Detangling a hair wig or toupee before storing it will stop them from losing their styling and form. Women can either use a wide-toothed brush or fingers to detangle their hair units and avoid breakage. Follow the top-down movement in a single motion.

How to Store Wigs and Toupees at Home?

Now that you have prepared your wigs for storage, it’s time to put them away in an appropriate way. There are multiple methods to store hair wigs and toupees when not in use.

Here are some popular wig storage options to consider in 2022:

#1 Wig headstand

We believe most of our readers are already aware of this wig storage method. For those who don’t know, a wig head stand is a tripod-like stand made of metal with high strength and durability. Often used by stores for displaying wigs, it has a mannequin or styrofoam wig head on the top that is constructed like a human head. All one has to do is place the hair unit on the head.

Lightweight and portable, this wig storage option is popular amongst wearers who want to remove their wig at night. Plus, toupees on a styrofoam wig head stand are easier to clean and style. Women can minimize the chances of tangling by using this wig storage idea. What more can you ask for?

how to store wigs at home

#2 Hanging wig stand

Don’t have enough room to store mannequins or styrofoam wig heads? No problem! This store-wigs-at-home idea will reduce your wig storing stress to bare bones. Storing hair units on hanging stands will help keep them away from tangling and losing their original shape.

Also known to be perfect for drying up wet hair wigs or toupees, hanging wig stands are easy to assemble and convenient to hang anywhere. All they ask the wearers is to place their hair units on them like clothes and hang them in the closet.

Hanging wig stands can fit different types of wigs (long, short, mono, French, or any other) and help in saving more counter space.

#3 Satin wig bags

We all remember using satin bags as a thank you wrap for guests on special occasions but do you know that they can also be used for storing wigs and toupees? Yes, you read it right! Silk wig bags are chosen over cotton storage bags because of their capability to preserve moisture.

Easy to carry and open, each satin silk bag can hold more than one hair unit at a time. It can also help in preventing wig friction and static which can do serious damage to hair fibers.

Hair system maintenance and care tips for men and women

#4 Shoe rack storage

Another common method of storing old hair wigs when not in use at home. Shoe racks are widely used for putting away hair toupees and wigs that are no longer valued. Here’s how to store your wig or hair integration system:

Gently fold the wig and place it into the pocket. Label hair units to have an exact idea of what hair wigs and toupees are being put into shoe rack shortage.

how to store wigs without a wig head

How to Store Hair Wigs: Final Words

No matter where and how you decide to store your wigs at home, just make certain they are not placed under direct sunlight or any other heat source as it can make the hair wigs lose their shine and make the hair fibers weak as well as brittle. Always store your hair wigs and toupees in a cool, dry area.

We told you everything about how to store wigs at home when not in use. By using the aforementioned wig storage methods, you will be able to get the most out of your hair units.

Got any queries to ask? Send them to support@lordhair.com and have them answered by our hair wig experts.