Because your extensions deserve better than a harsh shampoo
Forked out a pretty penny on a set of human hair locks? First of all, same. Second of all—please don’t go throwing just anything on them. Your extensions deserve better than a squeeze of leftover hotel shampoo or that ancient 3-in-1 lurking at the back of your shower shelf.
Washing extensions is a whole different world, girl. You’re not just cleansing—you’re preserving. The bounce, the blend, the magic of a flawless install all comes down to how you treat them on wash day.
And spoiler: the wrong product can turn silky strands into dry, tangly chaos real quick.
So what should you be using? That’s where we come in.
From ultra-gentle shampoos that don’t strip, to conditioners that hydrate without the slip-n-slide mess, we’ve rounded up the best products for washing hair extensions—plus the safest way to actually do it.
Because if you’ve gone full glam with a set of real-deal extensions, you deserve to keep that luxury feeling for more than one selfie.
Oh, and we may or may not have included our favs (not biased, just obsessed).
How to wash hair extensions (without wrecking them)
So you’ve spent your paycheck on a gorgeous set of human hair extensions, huh? Clip-ins, halos, sew-ins, tape-ins—we love them all. But the quickest way to ruin your dreamy strands? Using the wrong products and treating them like your old high school synthetic ponytail. Extensions need TLC, not whatever 3-in-1 bottle is collecting dust in your beauty cabinet.
The good news: keeping them clean, soft, and long-lasting isn’t rocket science. You just need the right technique—and a few standout products made for extensions. Here's exactly how to wash hair extensions without drying them out, tangling them into oblivion, or wrecking their bond.
Step 1: Gently detangle before getting them wet
This is non-negotiable. Before you even think about running water through those strands, you need to brush them out. Use a wide-tooth comb or a loop brush made for extensions, and start at the ends, working your way up slowly. If you feel resistance, hold the weft or base of the extension with your hand to avoid pulling.
Why this matters: extensions don't have the benefit of scalp oils to protect them from friction, so knots can quickly turn into breakage if you rush this step.
Step 2: Rinse with lukewarm (never hot) water
Temperature matters, A LOT. Rinse your extensions with lukewarm water to loosen up product buildup and prep them for shampoo. Hot water can cause dryness, while cold water won’t effectively cleanse. Let the water flow in the direction of the hair—top to bottom—and avoid bunching, swirling, or flipping the hair around in your hands.
If you're washing clip-ins, do it in a sink or tub and let them lay flat. For bonded or sewn-in extensions, simply tilt your head back in the shower.
Step 3: Use a sulfate-free shampoo made for extensions
This is where the magic starts—or ends, if you pick the wrong formula. Harsh shampoos (anything clarifying or sulfate-heavy) can strip your extensions, weaken bonds, and make your hair feel dry, crunchy, or tangled.
Instead, go for something gentle and hydrating. Our favorite? Our Extension Shampoo (of course)—specifically formulated to cleanse without drying. Apply from mid-lengths to ends and gently lather with your fingertips. Don’t rub or scrub the hair. Just let the product do the work, then rinse thoroughly.
Step 4: Condition carefully, and avoid the roots
Conditioning extensions is a must—but you have to do it strategically. Use a lightweight, nourishing conditioner (we love our Extension Conditioner) and apply it to the mid-lengths and ends only. Avoid the root area completely, especially with tape-ins or bonded extensions. You do not want anything interfering with the adhesive.
Let the conditioner sit for 3-5 minutes before rinsing with cool water to help seal the cuticle. This boosts shine, smooths the hair, and prevents frizz.
Step 5: Pat dry with a microfiber towel (no rubbing allowed)
Once your extensions are clean and conditioned, gently squeeze out excess water with your hands. Then, wrap them in a microfiber towel or an old soft t-shirt to soak up moisture—without causing frizz or friction. No rough towel-drying. No rubbing. No twisting.
If you're working with clip-ins, lay them flat on a clean towel to air dry. For permanent extensions, let them hang freely and dry naturally whenever possible.
Step 6: Always use heat protectant if you’re styling after
Extensions can handle heat—but only if you prep them right. Before using a blow dryer, flat iron, or curling wand, spritz with a lightweight, alcohol-free heat protectant. (Tip: Look for one with added moisture, since extensions don’t get natural oils like your scalp hair does.)
Keep heat settings moderate (no blasting 400°F straight on dry strands, please), and try not to over-style in one go. Give the hair time to cool between sections if you're curling or straightening.
The best products for washing hair extensions
We’re not biased... but these picks are hand-picked for your hair investment. From daily cleansers to game-changing detanglers, here's what makes each one a must-use.
1) Extension Shampoo – The Lauren Ashtyn Collection (AKA, us)
This one’s a no-brainer. Specifically formulated for human hair extensions, this shampoo is gentle, sulfate-free, and ultra-nourishing. It cleanses without stripping moisture, so your strands stay soft, shiny, and frizz-free. Plus, it’s been tested (and loved) on our own premium extensions.
What we love: EVERYTHING. This sulfate- and paraben-free shampoo is made specifically for human-hair extensions. It cleanses gently, delivers hydration, and protects against environmental damage and aging.
Key features:
- Protects and preserves the extension bond
- Hydrating yet gentle—ideal for regular wash every 6–12 weeks
- Crafted to maintain color vibrancy and softness
Why it stands out: Unlike harsh clarifying shampoos, this one resets without stripping. It’s salon-level clean meets everyday luxury, and we’re obsessed.
2) Extension Conditioner – The Lauren Ashtyn Collection (Again, us)
Pairs perfectly with the shampoo and works like a deep treatment in disguise. This conditioner is rich enough to hydrate without weighing hair down, which is key when your extensions need bounce, not buildup. Bonus? It helps prevent tangling and makes post-wash detangling WAY easier.
What we love: Rich in emollients and proteins, this conditioner detangles, smooths, and adds shine—without making extensions slip at the bonds.
Key features:
- Targets mid-lengths and ends—no root slippage
- Vegan, cruelty-free, organic ingredients
- Helps reduce dryness and extend wear-time
Why it stands out: Keeps texture soft and lived-in without weighing down your hairpiece or causing adhesive issues.
3) Beauty Works Pearl Nourishing Conditioner
Don’t let the luxe packaging fool you, this one’s not just for show. Formulated with argan oil and milk proteins, it smooths, softens, and revives tired extensions like a post-glam nap.
What we love: Packed with shine-boosting oils and strand-strengthening proteins, this conditioner brings your extensions back to life—fast. It's especially fab for mid-week refreshes when your hair’s feeling a little blah.
Key features:
- Enhances manageability and gloss
- Sulfate-free, color-safe, protein-rich
Why it gets the hype: Instantly revives dull extensions, making them look freshly installed.
4) Matrix Length Goals Sulfate-Free Shampoo
When your extensions cost more than your rent (kidding… kinda), you want a wash that’s actually made for them. This one? Co-created with extension specialists, so it gets it.
What we love: It doesn’t just clean—it preserves. With plant peptides and ultra-gentle surfactants, it keeps your hair fresh without stripping away what matters (like adhesive bonds or your gloss finish).
Key features:
- Sulfate-free, lightweight lather
- Extension-safe and tape-in friendly
- Infused with peptides to boost hair resilience
Why it’s smart: Designed specifically for extensions—especially tape-ins and bonded sets—it tackles grime gently while helping your style last longer between installs. Like a bodyguard for your blowout.
5) Color WOW Color Security Shampoo
One of the OG faves in the salon world, Color Wow’s shampoo is color-safe, sulfate-free, and made without any waxes, parabens, or silicones—basically everything extensions hate. It rinses clean and doesn’t leave any buildup behind.
What we love: Sulfate-free with a lightweight formula, this shampoo boosts shine and color preservation while avoiding buildup. Boujie, but definitely worth the few extra bucks.
Key features:
- Enhances shine and protects dyed strands
- No residue, silicone-free, bond-safe
Why it works: It’s a clean, glamorous cleanse that keeps extensions vibrant and lustrous—without interfering with adhesive.
6) Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo
Extensions feeling like straw after a hot tool spree? This cult-favorite swoops in with salon-level rescue.
What we love: Loaded with argan oil, keratin, and fatty acids, it brings dry, stressed strands back from the brink—without weighing anything down. It’s rich but never greasy, which is key for keeping that lightweight, bouncy feel.
Key features:
- Strengthens broken strands
- Smoothes and softens with minimal residue
- Trustworthy name for color-treated and damaged hair
Why it’s a go-to: Makes extensions easy to detangle and radiant, even after heavy styling.
Bonus must-haves
- Color WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray – lightweight frizz blocker and extension-refresh guard
- Kitsch Microfiber Towel – prevents frizz and breakage during drying
- Wide-tooth detangler – essential for combing from ends upward
Why these products made the cut
Because your extensions are not low-maintenance energy. These picks are sulfate-free, bond-friendly, and made for long-lasting, human-hair realness—aka, they’re not your drugstore shampoo’s cousin.
We scrolled the reviews, stalked salon pros, and road-tested formulas that deliver on hydration, color protection, and that silky-soft finish we all crave. Every product here knows how to treat extensions like the luxury they are.
And yes, we threw in a few of our own faves—because girl, we are the home of luxury extensions. We know what works (and what really doesn’t).
These aren’t just “extension-safe”, they’re extension-obsessed.
Wash day? Consider it handled.
Common wash-day mistakes to dodge (plus quick fixes)
1. Using your regular shampoo
We get it—you’ve got a shampoo graveyard under the sink. But extensions are not your natural hair, and most regular shampoos (even the fancy ones) contain sulfates, alcohol, or waxy buildup that can dry out, strip color, or leave your wefts dull.
The quick fix: Always go for a sulfate-free, extension-safe shampoo. Something designed to cleanse gently, without robbing your strands of moisture. Hint: scroll up for our faves.
2. Washing too aggressively
Scrubbing your scalp like you're trying to win a prize? Bad news for your bonds. Excessive tugging can loosen extensions, especially clip-ins or tape-ins, and lead to unnecessary shedding.
The quick fix: Use the pads of your fingers, not your nails. Gently work shampoo into the roots in a downward motion. For the mid-lengths and ends, think: smooth and squeeze, not scrub.
3. Skipping detangling (until it’s too late)
Brushing out knots after washing is like detangling headphone cords in a wind tunnel. It’s a disaster waiting to happen—and you’ll probably lose a few strands (and your patience) in the process.
The quick fix: Detangle before you wash, starting from the ends and working your way up. After rinsing, gently brush again using a loop brush or wide-tooth comb—only once your hair is towel-dried and conditioned.
4. Using hot water
A hot rinse may feel amazing, but it’s low-key sabotaging your extensions. Hot water dries them out, weakens the adhesive (if you’re bonded or taped), and can fade color faster.
The quick fix: Lukewarm water only. It’s gentler on the hair shaft, and helps keep moisture locked in longer.
5. Applying conditioner near the roots
This is a surefire way to loosen extension bonds or make clip-ins slip right out. Conditioner buildup = greasy scalp and extensions that won’t stay put.
The quick fix: Apply conditioner from mid-length to ends only. Never near the scalp. And let it sit for 2–3 minutes before rinsing for max hydration.
6. Skipping heat protectant
We know you’re just “touching up” with your straightener, but heat damage builds fast—especially on extensions that don’t get natural scalp oils.
The quick fix: Always (and we mean always) spritz a lightweight, extension-safe heat protectant before heat styling. It’s your invisible shield.
7. Blow-drying without sectioning
Pointing a dryer at tangled extensions and hoping for the best? That’s how you end up with frizz, breakage, or worse—matting.
The quick fix: Always divide your hair into sections and dry from root to tip, keeping the nozzle pointed down. Use a round brush or your fingers to smooth as you go.
It’s time to splurge on maintenance
You didn’t invest in dreamy, full-bodied extensions just to watch them dry out, tangle up, or call it quits before their time. With the right wash-day products, a little technique (okay, and a touch of patience), your extensions can stay looking fresh-from-the-salon every day—not just on install day.
We’re talking softness that doesn’t disappear by Tuesday, color that actually lasts, and strands that move like real hair... because, well, they are. All it takes is picking formulas that are actually made for them (and yep, we may have tossed in a couple of our own go-tos—we’re not biased, just experienced ✨).
So next wash day? Skip the generic stuff. Your extensions have standards, and so do you.
Keep them thriving. Keep them glossy. Keep them yours.
Oh—and if you’re still using your boyfriend’s 3-in-1 shampoo? Girl. It’s time.
Shop our must-have extension care picks here and give your hair the routine it actually deserves.
