Maintaining Your RiRi Extensions - How to Wash Hair Extensions Properly

Written by: Nancy Pinder

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Time to read 7 min

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!

Blonde RiRi hair extensions

Why Do You Need to Wash 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.

How Often Should You Wash Hair Extensions?

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.

Our Expert's Guide to Washing Your Clip-in Extensions

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.

1) Make Sure You've Got the Right Products!

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.
 

2) Prepare Your Hair Extensions

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.

3) Prepare the Sink

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.

4) Gently Wash the Hair

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.

5) Condition and Nourish the Hair

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.

Our expert's top tip: work the hair from ends to tips with gentle pressure to avoid tangling the hair up again.

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.

6) Allow the Hair Extensions to Dry

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.

Our expert's top tip: For faster drying, consider placing the extensions in a well-ventilated area or near a window with indirect sunlight. However, avoid placing them under direct sunlight or near a heat source, as it can dry out the extensions and make them brittle.

7) Detangle and Style Your Extensions

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

How to Wash Your Hair With Hair Extensions In

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:

1) Brush Out Your Hair

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.

2) Gently Shampoo Your Hair

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.

3) Apply a Nourishing Conditioner

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.

4) Remove Excess Water With a Towel

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.

5) Blow Dry Your Hair (Optional)

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.

Maintain Your Hair Extensions With RiRi Today

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.

FAQs

What Products Should I Use to Wash My Hair Extensions?

We recommend using products specifically designed for hair extensions. Avoid products that contain sulphates, alcohol, or ammonia. You can use the RiRi Hair Extension Shampoo and RiRi Hair Extension Conditioner, which are specifically formulated for both synthetic and human hair extensions.

How Often Should I Wash My Hair Extensions?

The frequency of washing depends on how often you wear your extensions and the type of extensions you have. If you wear your extensions daily, wash them every 2-3 days. If you wear them occasionally or for special occasions, washing them once a week should be sufficient.

How Should I Dry My Hair Extensions After Washing?

After washing, it's best to allow your extensions to air dry. Avoid using heat-styling tools directly on the extensions, as they can damage the hair fibres. Squeeze out any excess water with a microfibre towel, lay out the extensions on a clean, dry towel, and let them dry naturally.

Can I Use Heat-Styling Tools on Synthetic Hair Extensions?

No, never use heat on synthetic extensions (unless they are heat-resistant).

Can I Use Regular Hair Care Products on My Hair Extensions?

We recommend using hair care products specifically designed for hair extensions, like the RiRi Hair Extension Shampoo and RiRi Hair Extension Conditioner. Regular hair care products may contain harsh ingredients like sulphates, alcohol, or ammonia that can damage the extensions and shorten their lifespan.

Nancy Pinder

Nancy is our resident hair and beauty specialist at RiRi Hair Extensions. She advises customers daily in our Lakeside and Bluewater stores, helping them find the perfect look, length, and shade of hair extensions. 


Nancy also presents our TikTok live to thousands of viewers across the world. You can catch her on our TikTok every week!

Find Nancy on TikTok!

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