Maintaining Your RiRi Extensions - How to Wash Hair Extensions Properly

Hair extensions are the perfect solution for achieving long, voluminous hair without the hassle of waiting or committing to grow out your natural locks. But, to keep your extensions looking fresh and beautiful, it's crucial to give them the proper care they deserve.

One vital aspect of maintaining your RiRi extensions is understanding the correct way to wash them. Luckily, our team of experts has gathered all their hair extension care knowledge to help you make the most of your hair extensions!

It's important to understand that washing our natural hair is necessary to remove the build-up of natural oils and products over time.

When it comes to hair extensions, while they don't accumulate oils and dirt in the same way, they do still collect products and pollution that can impact their appearance and lifespan. So, it's crucial to ensure proper care to maintain their look and durability.

Also, washing your hair extensions helps prevent tangling and matting of the strands. This is particularly important for those who wear clip-in or tape-in extensions, as these can easily get tangled with natural hair during daily activities.

The frequency of washing your hair extensions will depend on how often you wear them and the type of extensions you have.

As a general rule, if you wear your extensions daily, it's recommended to wash them every 2-3 days.

However, if you only use them occasionally or for special occasions, then washing them once a week should suffice.

To keep your clip-in hair extensions in great condition, it's important to follow a gentle washing process that protects both the hair and clips. 

Since these extensions are easily removable, it's recommended to wash them separately. Follow these steps for the best results and to maintain their optimal quality.

If you're new to washing your hair extensions, you need to know what products to use! It's crucial to avoid any products that contain sulphates, alcohol, or ammonia, as these can damage the hair and shorten its lifespan. Instead, opt for gentle, sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners specifically designed for hair extensions.

Here's a list of the products we recommend for washing your clip-in hair extensions. These products work with both synthetic and human hair extensions.
 

• RiRi Signature Deluxe Hairbrush

• RiRi Hair Extension Shampoo

• RiRi Hair Extension Conditioner

• RiRi Hair Extension Boost

• A microfibre towel

• A clean sink

Once you've got all the bits you need, you need to prepare your extensions. 

Start by detangling your extensions by gently brush through with a soft bristle brush like our RiRi Signature Deluxe Hairbrush. Make sure the extensions are completely free of knots and tangles before washing – just as you would your natural hair.

The sink you use needs to be clean before you start – this means no make-up or toothpaste residue!

Then, simply fill it with lukewarm water, enough to completely submerge your hair extensions. Make sure the water isn't too hot, as this can be harsh on the hair, but it needs to be warm enough for the products to work properly.

Add a few pumps of the RiRi Hair Extension Shampoo to the water and mix it around.

Place your extensions into the sink and let them soak for around 5-10 minutes. Before you remove the extensions from the water, gently massage them to really work the shampoo into the hair fibres. You can also apply a few more pumps of shampoo directly onto the extensions.

Once the shampoo has been worked into the hair, gently rinse with clean, lukewarm water.

Once you've rinsed the hair, it's time to apply conditioner and other nourishing products. If you only wash your extensions every few weeks, the RiRi Hair Extension Conditioner is ideal for keeping your extensions soft and healthy.

Simply massage the conditioner into the extensions, paying extra attention to the ends.

If you wear your hair extensions every day and need to wash them more regularly, they might benefit from more intense nourishment. The RiRi Hair Extension Boost is perfect for getting your clip-in extensions back to where you want them to be.

Once the extensions have had the chance to absorb the conditioning products, give them a final rinse with clean, lukewarm water.

After rinsing, gently squeeze out any excess water from the clip-in extensions using a microfibre towel. Do not wring or twist the hair, as it can cause tangles and breakage.

Once you've removed the excess water, lay the extensions out flat on a clean, dry towel. Make sure to spread out the wefts so they can dry evenly.

Once your extensions are completely dry, remove any tangles using the RiRi Signature Deluxe Hairbrush or a wide-tooth comb.

If you're wearing semi-permanent, you might be wondering how to wash hair extensions while they're in your hair. Luckily for you, we’ve got a breakdown on that, too!

Here's our guide on how to wash your hair while wearing semi-permanent extensions:

Before you get in the shower or bath, make sure to brush your hair and extensions gently using a wide-tooth comb or the RiRi Signature Deluxe Hairbrush. 

This will make the washing experience much easier and help prevent any tangles from forming during the washing process.

Jump in the shower and use a gentle shampoo on your own hair and extensions. Make sure that the shampoo you use is free from sulphates and other harsh chemicals. 

It's possible to use shampoo for hair extensions on your natural hair – our RiRi Shampoo is great for this!

Make sure you're gentle with your hair when lathering the shampoo to avoid creating tangles and knots.

Rinse your hair and extensions until all the shampoo has gone.

Conditioner is an important step to keep both your own hair and your extensions healthy and shiny.

Again, make sure you use a conditioner that doesn't contain any harsh chemicals or sulphates that can damage the hair fibres. You can leave the conditioner on for a few minutes to act as a hair mask to provide additional nourishment.

Alternatively, you can apply the RiRi Hair Extensions Argan Oil Treatment after conditioning.

Once the conditioner has been thoroughly rinsed from your hair, gently squeeze and pat your hair with a towel to remove any excess water.

A microfibre towel is the best choice to help your hair and extensions frizz-free. Avoid rubbing your hair at all costs, as this will cause tangles and make your hair much harder to style.

You should avoid using heat to style your hair and extensions wherever possible, but we know that some hair types benefit from a brief blow-dry. 

Make sure you use a low heat setting (nothing over 180-degrees C) and always use a heat protectant.

It's important to note that hot styling tools shouldn't be used with synthetic hair extensions as they can melt or become damaged.

With proper care and maintenance, your RiRi extensions will continue to provide the stunning, voluminous look you love. 

From washing to styling, following our expert hair tips can significantly extend the lifespan of your extensions, allowing you to enjoy your gorgeous locks for longer.