Explore how to wash clip-in hair extensions the expert way. Be gentle with them; wash them with care in lukewarm water using sulfate-free shampoo, and let them air-dry.
How to Wash Clip-In Hair Extensions Properly
Now that you have your very own set of hair extensions, you need proper clip-in extensions care to keep them looking and feeling shiny and silky all year round. They can stay for three to six months, or even a year or more, if they receive the proper care. You do not need to wash your extensions as frequently as your own hair, since they don’t receive the same natural scalp oils.
Your extensions will therefore last longer if you wash them less. In this article, we’ll be walking you through the best ways to wash and clean your hair extensions and restore their shine and moisture.
When to Wash Your Extensions
Although clip-in hair extensions are made of 100% human hair, they don’t need to be washed as frequently as your own hair, because they don’t get the same natural oils from the scalp. Therefore, your extensions will last longer if you wash them less frequently. We advise washing them only when there is a noticeable amount of product buildup, but you are free to choose how often to wash them.
If you find it harder to style your extensions, it’s an indication of product buildup, and they need to be cleaned. We advise cleaning them once a month or every thirty wears.
What You Will Need
Specific hair extension care products are needed to maintain their health, as they lack a natural hydration source. Some important products include moisturisers formulated for dry hair, such as argan oil, coconut oil, and castor oil, while strictly avoiding sulfate and alcohol-based items that strip natural oils. Key recommended products are:
- Heat protectant to shield hair from damage and help maintain moisture.
- Dry Shampoo prevents extensions from slipping during wear.
- Hair Oil is Important for hydrating extensions.
- Hair Mask/Deep Conditioner, ideally alcohol and sulfate-free, left on for extended periods for maximum effectiveness.
Step-by-Step Washing Process
How to wash extensions is a source of misunderstanding. To make your hair feel and look brand new, follow our detailed, easy instructions below for cleaning clip-in extensions.
1. Prepare your hair extensions
Washing your hair extensions is simple, just make sure to brush or comb them to remove any tangles beforehand. Start by gently brushing from bottom to top with a wide-tooth comb or a soft-bristle hairbrush. To make this step easier, bundle the wefts.
2. Fill your sink with warm water
Clean your sink and fill it with warm water, and add 2 or 3 pumps of moisturising shampoo. Hold this portion while washing the lengths so that the clips do not get wet. Keep the extension length submerged in water, and then remove the hair from the water.
3. Shampoo and condition each weft
You may now wash and condition your extensions. Apply your preferred shampoo to the hair while holding your clip-in extensions at the top. Gently massage the shampoo into the lengths of each weft to fully clean them. After that, rinse it out and place each weft aside on a towel before applying your conditioner from root to tip.
4. Rinse your extensions
Rinse your extensions properly so all the shampoo and conditioner are removed. If your extensions still feel slick, it means the product has not been removed thoroughly, which can cause the hair to look oily after drying. Rinse your extensions with warm water until the water runs clear. Use cold water to lock in the moisture and make the hair softer and shinier.
5. Detangle and brush
Use a microfibre towel to press out any remaining water from root to tip gently. Never use a towel to pat them dry, as this can damage the hair or cause tangles. Use a wide-tooth comb or brush. After it has completely dried, this will keep it free of tangles. To give your hair more softness before it dries, you may also apply a leave-in conditioner.
Drying Your Extensions
The best way of drying clip-in extensions is to first squeeze out excess water without rubbing with a towel. This will help you to avoid extreme damage. Air-dry whenever possible by hanging on a hair extension holder or hanger and use a micro-fibre towel for longevity. You only need to apply a small amount of hair oil or serum to each weft to prevent frizz and maintain silkiness.
If blow-drying is necessary, use a heat protectant spray to help prevent heat damage and reduce drying time. Finally, remember to blow-dry on a cool setting, prioritising the roots before the ends, and always blow-dry downwards to minimise tangling.
Mistakes to Avoid
Here are the best extension care tips to avoid, which will improve longevity and safety.
- Washing too often
- Washing without brushing first
- Using hot water
- Applying harsh sulphate shampoos
- Washing all of the wefts together
- Rubbing the hair aggressively
- Not rinsing thoroughly
- Skipping conditioner
- Blow-drying on high heat
- Brushing while soaking wet
- Rubbing with a regular cotton towel
- Using heavy or sticky styling products
- Not hanging or laying the wefts flat to dry
- Forgetting a cool rinse
Conclusion
To sum up, your clip in hair extension care is simpler, and the best way to achieve it is to wash it less often than your natural hair. However, they need to be cleaned and maintained regularly to preserve their durability and quality. To keep your clip-in extensions looking aesthetic and beautiful, incorporate these step-by-step strategies into your routine and refer to our guide when needed. Invest in your hair, you wear it every day!
