Storing Wigs So They Last

Most units are ruined between wears rather than during them. A wig left on a dresser, folded in a drawer or hung on a hook loses its shape, collects dust and develops creases that take a wash to remove and sometimes do not come out at all. Storage is the cheapest thing you can do to extend a unit's life.

Stands and heads

A canvas block head or a mannequin head holds the cap in its intended shape and lets air circulate underneath, which matters after washing. A folding wire or plastic stand does the same job, costs very little and packs away. Either is better than nothing. The one caution is that a stand slightly larger than the cap will stretch it over time, so a stand that matches your cap size is worth choosing deliberately, and canvas heads come in sizes for that reason.

When a box is better

For long-term storage, months rather than days, the original box or a breathable bag protects better than an open stand, because dust and light are the slow enemies. Fold the unit gently along its length, place the hair in a hair net first so it does not shift, and store it flat rather than crushed under other things. A satin bag inside the box keeps the fiber smooth. Never seal a unit in plastic that cannot breathe, particularly if there is any moisture in it.

Dust, light and humidity

Dust settles on fiber and dulls it, and washing a unit purely because it sat out for a month is a wash you did not need to spend. Direct sunlight fades color on synthetic units over months. Humidity is the one to watch in a Michigan basement, where damp air and a stored unit produce a musty smell that is hard to remove. Store units in living space rather than a basement or an unheated attic.

Travel

Put the unit in a hair net, then fold it inside out so the cap protects the hair, and pack it in a box or a hard case rather than loose in a bag. Do not pack it damp. A folding stand takes almost no space and means you can put it on properly at the other end. Units packed loose under clothing arrive creased, and a crease in lace is not always recoverable.