Keeping Wigs Nice

[LadyCrow]

Is it ok to brush the wigs? If so is there a better brush?

[Evil Kimba]

There are brushes for wigs, but you need to be careful when using them. They're good for smoothing fibers, but not really for using all the time. With human wigs, I just use a brush to get rid of loose fibers as I'm cutting them.

[Karhys]

The Volks FCS dolls come with hairbrushes (or they used to, anyway) so I've always tended to use those, they're quite small and fairly gentle on the hair.

Another great suggestion that came from a friend is using a toothbrush. They're really great on the wigs! You need to get one with stiff bristles though, as soft bristles are too soft to work properly with the weight of synthetic hair.

[LadyCrow]

Thanks y'all. I didn't buy a Volks,so I don't know if they still come with the doll.I'll try the tooth brush.

[manaswam]

I agree that the Volks wig spray is amazing. Are there other products that are easier to get that would accomplish the same thing, e.g. from a wig shop? Also, would any of the sprays damage the face-up? Thank you

[PonySky]

There's a chemist in Maine who developed a line of products called Twin Pines for dolls. There might be something for wigs too. I've used his products with fantastic results. One even removed deep purple marker stains on a vintage Barbie doll's arms that had soaked into the vinyl. Truly amazing results.

[TheFontBandit]

Originally Posted by n1k1ta

Uh, has no one ever heard of wig conditioner? Doll wigs are just like human wigs (except for the fur wigs). You can go into any beauty supply shop and ask for wig conditioner. It's cheap ($6US) and works like a dream.

Originally Posted by manaswam

I agree that the Volks wig spray is amazing. Are there other products that are easier to get that would accomplish the same thing, e.g. from a wig shop? Also, would any of the sprays damage the face-up? Thank you

I have a bottle of Revlon Wig Conditioner and it works amazingly well. I picked it up at Sally's Beauty Supply. ^_^ I originally bought it to use with my cosplay wigs, but it works great on doll wigs too. I'm not sure about whether it would damage a faceup... I always condition wigs while they are not on a doll. When it's time for one of my dolls to get a new faceup and I have to remove it anyway, I'll run an experiment and post the results here.

I haven't used the Volks conditioner though, so I can't offer a comparison.

[Carolyn.S]

For long wigs I sometimes store them on soda pop bottle wig stands in a cabinet. Make sure the bottle is clean and dry then ball up aluminum foil on top (smaller than the head size so the wig can drop on easily). A soda pop bottle stand is also handy for drying a wig that you washed or straightened.

Carolyn

[Nineivre]

do the sprays and stuff "soften" the feeling of the wigs as well other than tidying it up? i've got a wig that looks pretty, but feels like straw :/

[Karhys]

Originally Posted by Nineivre

do the sprays and stuff "soften" the feeling of the wigs as well other than tidying it up? i've got a wig that looks pretty, but feels like straw :/

Yes, definitely! I have a couple of wigs that if you leave them just don't feel that nice at all to touch, but once I spray the Volks Oil Spray on them they feel sooooo much better. I use mine really regularly to keep them feeling nice to play with. (As well as looking shiny. )

[Illves]

I have used mostly fabric conditioner, and it has worked wonders. It really smoothens the wig fibres and takes away the electricity.

[a88_angel]

Thanks for all the tips! This is enormously helpful especially since I bought five wigs today and have to that I need to refurbish. If any one out there has any new tips or products to use that haven't been posted already, I would love to hear them. thx.

[thepeachpeddler]

I had no idea there was a Spray condition from Volks! I'll have to check it out! Thanks for the info!

[Alyshia S.]

I know that fabric softener works wonders on my costly wigs. You just have to soak the wig in it for a little while and it becomes very manageable.

[N2DollsNow]

Originally Posted by Alyshia S.

I know that fabric softener works wonders on my costly wigs. You just have to soak the wig in it for a little while and it becomes very manageable.

Do you have a brand recommendation? Also, do you use it full strength, or dilute it?

[hobbywhelmed]

I know someone who used fabric softener, and ill ask him what dilution he used.
Love the idea above of soda bottle for storage. Some really long wigs frazzle themselves even if in a net.

[Dahlia]

I found an interesting link about wig care.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5686698_soak...softeners.html

The problem is that every site has different dilution instructions. One said 1 part fabric softener to 7 parts water,and another said 1 part softener to 4 parts water. I'm going to try both on this old and ratty wig I have.