How to Care for Your Hair Extensions: Washing, Drying, and Maintenance Tips

Hair extensions are a great way to add volume and length, but they require proper care to keep them looking fresh, tangle-free, and long-lasting. I have a whole bundle of extensions, and after being stored for a while, they need a little love before they’re ready to wear again. I originally bought these extensions back when I was losing my hair during chemo. I really fought it hard and didn’t want to shave my head right away, so they helped me through that time.

Now, I want to share how I take care of my extensions—how to properly comb them, wash them, and dry them so they stay soft, manageable, and beautiful. Let’s get started!

Combing Your Extensions the Right Way

Before washing your extensions, you need to detangle them properly. Here’s how I do it:

1. Always hold your extensions at the top. Never try to hold them in the middle or by the ends while combing—this will cause unnecessary pulling and shedding. Instead, fold the extension at the top and hold it securely.

2. Use a wide-tooth comb. I always use my trusty wide-tooth comb for all my wigs and extensions. It’s an absolute necessity for keeping them smooth without causing damage.

3. Start at the bottom and work your way up. Be very gentle as you comb, working from the tips up to the top.

4. Keep combed and uncombed sections separate. Once you finish combing a piece, put it in a separate section from the ones that haven’t been combed yet—otherwise, everything can tangle up again. Trust me, I’ve been through that mess before!

5. Always comb before washing. This is a must! If you don’t detangle before washing, you’ll end up with a matted mess.

Washing Your Clip-In Extensions

Now that all of your extensions are combed out, it’s time to wash them. Since I have a lot of hair, I use two full packages of extensions, and I wash them in small sections.

I’m just using Pantene shampoo from Costco—yes, I probably need to invest in a sulfate-free shampoo or something fancier, but honestly, this one works well for me. It doesn’t cause buildup, and it smells really good.

1. Use lukewarm water. Hot water can dry out the hair, while cold water won’t cleanse properly.

2. Wash 2-3 extensions at a time. Never throw all of them in at once—extensions tangle easily, and the more you wash together, the harder it is to separate them later.

3. Hold the extension by the top and gently lather. Work the shampoo through the hair carefully, folding the edge and washing from top to bottom.

4. Rinse thoroughly. Make sure all the shampoo is out before setting them on a towel. You can either rinse each one as you go or wash all of them first and then rinse them together. I prefer rinsing little by little so they don’t get tangled up.

Drying Your Extensions

Once your extensions are washed, drying them the right way is important so they stay smooth and ready to wear.

1. Lay them flat on a towel. After rinsing, spread them out in a single layer.

2. Wrap them gently in the towel. Fold the towel over and gently press to remove excess water.

3. Let them air dry. You can place them on a drying rack, inside a drawer, or near a vent for quicker drying. Sometimes I let them dry right on top of the vent, and it works great.

4. Avoid direct heat. Don’t use a blow dryer—human hair extensions are delicate, and too much heat can damage them over time.

5. Check for tangles after drying. Once they are completely dry, you can go back through with your wide-tooth comb to make sure they’re smooth.

Final Tips for Keeping Your Extensions Looking Fresh

• Always wash extensions before using them if they’ve been sitting in a bag or stored away for a while. Hair extensions can collect dust, and you don’t want to risk any germs or buildup.

• Store them properly. Extensions can get matted if left loose, so keep them neatly folded or inside a protective bag.

• Be mindful of styling tools. While human hair extensions can be straightened or curled, excessive heat will shorten their lifespan.

• Handle with care. Hair extensions are finicky—if you leave them sitting in a pile for too long, they can become a tangled mess.

Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing some tips on placement and styling extensions, so stay tuned for that! Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you in the next post!