Fill a basin with cool water, add a teaspoon of synthetic wig shampoo, submerge the wig and gently swish without scrubbing, rinse thoroughly under cool running water, apply a wig conditioner spray, blot with a clean towel, and air dry completely on a wig stand. Never use hot water, regular shampoo, or a blow dryer on high heat. Do not brush until fully dry. This process takes about 15 minutes of active time and 4 to 8 hours of drying time.

What You Need Before You Start

• Synthetic wig shampoo - not regular shampoo, baby shampoo, or dish soap
• Wig conditioner spray - not regular conditioner
• A clean basin or sink large enough to submerge the wig
• A clean microfiber towel for blotting
• A wig stand or mannequin head for drying
• A wide-tooth comb or wig brush for detangling after drying

Do not start without synthetic wig shampoo. Regular shampoo - including baby shampoo - strips the factory coating from synthetic fibers and causes dulling and frizzing that shortens the wig's lifespan. Synthetic wig shampoo is available at beauty supply stores and online for under $10 and lasts many washes.

Step-by-Step: How to Wash a MoTown Tress Wig

1. Detangle before washing. Place the wig on a wig stand and use a wide-tooth comb or wig brush to gently detangle from ends to roots. Remove any tangles before the wig gets wet - wet tangles are much harder to remove without causing damage.
2. Fill a basin with cool water. The water should be cool to lukewarm - never hot. Hot water permanently alters synthetic fiber structure, causing frizzing that cannot be reversed. Fill the basin deep enough to fully submerge the wig.
3. Add synthetic wig shampoo. Add about a teaspoon of synthetic wig shampoo to the water and swirl gently to distribute. Do not pour shampoo directly onto the wig - diluting it in the water first ensures even distribution.
4. Submerge the wig. Hold the wig by the cap and lower it into the water. Allow it to soak for 3 to 5 minutes - this loosens product buildup and scalp oils from the cap without requiring scrubbing.
5. Gently work the shampoo through the hair. Use a gentle squeezing motion to work the shampoo through the hair from root to tip. Do not scrub, rub, or twist the fibers against each other - this causes tangling and frizzing. Work in one direction only - downward from root to tip.
6. Rinse thoroughly under cool running water. Hold the wig under cool running water and rinse until the water runs completely clear. Any shampoo residue left in the fibers causes buildup and dullness. Rinse longer than you think you need to.
7. Apply wig conditioner spray. While the wig is still damp, apply a light wig conditioner spray over the fibers. Hold the bottle 10 to 12 inches from the wig and apply a fine, even mist. Allow to absorb for 2 to 3 minutes - do not rinse out.
8. Blot with a clean towel. Gently blot excess water from the wig using a clean microfiber towel. Do not rub or wring - rubbing causes frizzing and tangling. Squeeze gently from root to tip to remove excess water.
9. Place on a wig stand and air dry. Put the wig on a wig stand or mannequin head and allow to air dry completely in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Do not use a blow dryer on high heat - use the cool setting only if you need to speed up drying.
10. Detangle and style once completely dry. Once the wig is fully dry - this takes 4 to 8 hours depending on length and density - use a wide-tooth comb or wig brush to gently restore the style, working from ends to roots. The pre-set style should return as the wig dries on the stand.

How Often to Wash a MoTown Tress Wig

Wash every 7 to 10 wears for daily wearers - roughly every 1 to 2 weeks. For occasional wearers, every 4 to 6 wears is sufficient.

Overwashing strips the factory coating and shortens the wig's lifespan. Underwashing allows product buildup, sweat, and oils from the cap to accumulate in the fibers, which dulls the hair and can cause odor. Find the right frequency for your wear pattern and stick to it consistently.

Signs your MoTown Tress wig needs washing: the hair looks dull or flat, there is visible product buildup at the roots, the wig has an odor, or the fibers feel rough or sticky.

What Not to Do When Washing a MoTown Tress Wig

These are the mistakes that damage MoTown Tress wigs during washing - most of them are irreversible.

• Hot water: permanently alters synthetic fiber structure, causing frizzing that cannot be fixed. Always use cool or lukewarm water only.
• Regular shampoo: strips the factory coating that gives synthetic fibers their sheen and softness. Use synthetic wig shampoo only.
• Scrubbing or rubbing: causes tangling and frizzing. Always use a gentle squeezing motion and work in one direction only.
• Regular conditioner: coats synthetic fibers with ingredients they cannot absorb, leaving a greasy residue. Use wig conditioner spray only.
• Brushing while wet: wet synthetic fibers are at their most fragile. Brushing while wet causes frizzing that cannot be reversed. Always wait until fully dry.
• Wringing or twisting: distorts the cap shape and causes tangling. Always blot gently with a towel and squeeze from root to tip.
• Blow drying on high heat: high heat damages synthetic fibers. Use the cool setting only, or air dry completely on a wig stand.
• Drying flat: drying a wig flat on a towel or hanging it distorts the cap shape and the style. Always dry on a wig stand.

How to Restore the Style After Washing

One of the advantages of MoTown Tress synthetic wigs is that they hold their pre-set style through washing - the style returns as the wig dries on the stand. For most styles, no additional styling is needed after washing and drying.

If the style needs a light refresh after drying, use these methods - no heat required for standard synthetic MoTown Tress wigs.

• Finger styling: use your fingers to gently reshape curls, waves, or volume after drying. This is the safest method for all synthetic styles.
• Wide-tooth comb: for straight or wavy styles, gently comb through from ends to roots once fully dry to smooth and restore the style.
• Wig conditioner spray: a light spritz of conditioner spray after drying adds softness and reduces static, which helps the style settle naturally.
• Shake and go: for curly or wavy styles, a gentle shake of the wig after drying often restores the volume and curl pattern without any additional tools.

If your MoTown Tress wig is a heat-resistant style, you can use a flat iron or curling iron on a low setting to restyle after washing - always check the product label to confirm heat resistance before applying any heat.