How to wash your BHB piece

May 01, 2026

Taking care of your wig or hair topper from The BHB doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right approach, you can keep your piece looking fresh and natural for longer. Whether you’re new to alternative hair or just want to tweak your routine, here’s a simple guide, full of advice from our stylists on washing your wig or topper properly at home.

Just like biological hair, our human hair wigs and toppers will collect oils, product buildup, and residue from the environment around you over time. Regular washing helps maintain their appearance, prevents tangling, and extends their lifespan, meaning you can get the most out of your piece.

Before you even begin washing, the most important rule is to use salon-quality products.

Hydrating, professional-grade shampoos and conditioners are essential for maintaining the integrity of the hair. Lower-quality products (like many supermarket or chemist brands) can dry the hair out and shorten the lifespan of your piece.

For best results, choose products recommended by our team, which you can pick up in-store or order through our website. Our favourite brands are EVO, Wella, and V&M Spa!

When wearing it, you’ll be able to recognise really quickly when it needs a wash, but we tend to follow this general rule of thumb:

Daily wear: Every 1-2 weeks / Occasional wear: Every 2-3 weeks

We’d also recommend that, between washes, you clean the inside of the cap with a baby wipe to remove any oil buildup from your scalp. This helps keep your piece fresh without over-washing, which you don’t want to do, as this can cause dryness.

Follow these steps to get salon-quality results at home:

For the easiest washing process, remove your piece and wash it in a sink filled with lukewarm water. This gives you better control and ensures a more even cleanse.

1. Detangle First
Always start by gently brushing your wig or topper with your soft-bristle brush from The BHB. Begin at the ends and work your way up to avoid damage to the knots and shedding.

2. Shampoo Twice
Squeeze a 50-cent-sized amount (per shampoo) of a hydrating, salon-quality shampoo and wash the hair twice. This ensures all product buildup, oils, and residue are properly removed.

3. Condition Thoroughly
Apply conditioner or a treatment mask, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends - avoid the roots as best as you can, as moisturising products can soften and loosen the hairs knotted into the cap. Once you have applied it, brush it through gently, avoiding creating tension on the hair, then leave it in for a few minutes. Dip your piece into the sink until fully saturated, then rinse well.

4. Dry Gently
Pat the hair dry with a towel - never rub, as this can cause damage or frizz. Using products from the Haircare Bundle, apply your leave-in treatments at this stage, such as Happy Campers or Day of Grace. Brush the hair out and then either let your wig air dry naturally (preferred) or blow dry from a distance (around 20cm) after using a heat protectant.

Our Hairdressers Top Tips:

Using purple shampoo? Instead of applying it directly to the hair, squeeze some into the sink or basin filled with water. Swish your wig or topper through the mixture and let it soak for a few minutes. This allows for a more even distribution of pigment, rather than it clinging to certain areas and creating patchiness. Keep an eye out for the tone, making sure the piece is only soaking until it has reached the shade you want.

Protect the part: Keep your thumb gently over where the hair has been parted while washing so you don’t lose it, which will make styling very difficult!.

Of course, if you’d prefer not to wash your piece yourself, our team would be happy to do it for you. Book an appointment, such as our Wig Spa Makeover, and either drop it into your closest BHB store or mail it to us!

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Also in Human Hair Wig + Topper Guide