How to Clean and Detangle a Doll Wig (Mohair and Synthetic)

A tangled, frizzy or grimy doll wig can make a beautiful doll look neglected. The temptation is to yank a comb through it — which pulls hair out and makes things worse. Done gently and in the right order, you can clean and restore most doll hair, including delicate mohair.

Know what you are working with

Doll hair is usually one of three types: synthetic (most modern dolls), natural fiber like human hair, or mohair (fine, soft and easy to damage on antique dolls). All three can be cleaned, but mohair especially needs a gentle touch and no heat.

The right order: detangle, wash, condition, style

The single most important rule: loosen the tangles before you wash, and never force a dry comb through matted hair.

1. Detangle

1. Saturate the matted area with a detangler and let it soak until the strands visibly loosen.
2. Start at the bottom of the hair and work up in small sections, holding each section at the base with your free hand to prevent pulling from the root.
3. Use your fingers, a pick, or a fine metal comb. Be patient — this is where the wig is saved or ruined.

2. Wash

1. Wet the hair with clear, cool water first.
2. Work a diluted doll-wig shampoo gently through the hair. Do not scrub or pile it up.
3. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.

3. Condition

1. Spray or work in a light conditioner to add moisture and gloss and to keep the hair manageable.
2. This step brings limp or brittle fibers back to life and makes styling far easier.

4. Style

1. Let the hair dry, then style. For curls, a doll-size iron on a safe setting gives the control that small heads need.
2. On mohair or fragile fibers, skip heat entirely and set the style while damp.

What to avoid

• Combing dry, matted hair — the fastest way to lose hair.
• Hot water or high heat — can frizz synthetic fibers permanently and ruin mohair.
• Human-hair products with heavy silicones — can build up and dull doll fibers.

The kit that does it all

The Heads Up! Hair Care Kit was built for this exact routine. It includes Detangler, Shampoo and Conditioner made for natural and synthetic wigs (mohair included), plus a doll-size curling iron and the brushes, comb, pins and tools you need. Everything rinses clean and is safe on delicate fibers.

Want the whole system in one box? Start with the Hair Care Kit, or shop the individual pieces in Hair Care.