Having options is one of the best aspects of wigs. Not only can you style them in a variety of ways, but you can also bleach and dye them. Human hair wigs are particularly a great option when it comes to these customizations. Since they are made of real human hair, you can easily bleach them just like your natural hair.

We don’t recommend bleaching synthetic hair wigs. Because synthetic wigs are made of a variety of different manufactured fibers. It may take heavy chemicals to alter a synthetic wig. In this post we will be focusing on bleaching human hair wigs and lace wigs.

Whenever you want to give your human hair wig a lighter shade, you will most likely require the use of a bleaching agent.

It is common knowledge that bleaching can damage human hair wigs and it is true. Most bleaching agents available on the market use Clorox which is hard on hair strands. Their use can lead to problems like frizzy-looking, brittle, dry hair that are prone to breakage. The good news is, there are safer alternatives available.

Before You Start Bleaching Your Wig

Because your wig is an investment, its always good to prep and prepare before bleaching.

We recommend building a station of shampoos, conditioners, oils and other hair protectants before starting the wig bleaching process. Unfortunately, you don’t always know how the hair will react to the hair bleach. So its good to be prepared with, your hair protecting tools. Most of the products you use on your own hair will work great for your wig as well.

Tip: Most hair dye kits come with small packets of these conditioners and hair restorative oils. We sometimes buy a box of hair dye to add color after bleaching. This works great because were able to use the sample shampoos that come with the kit, win win!

Can You Bleach a Hair Wig with Clorox?

Most households have bleach or a cleaning products with bleach in it. While using bleach to lift your wigs hair color may seem like an affordable alternative, we don’t recommend it. There are quite a few options on the market that are safer and still affordable.

Exposure to some on the main ingredients in household bleach are known to cause skin, eyes and lung irritation. Because a wig is worn on your body for long periods of time, this may not be the best option for some who are especially sensitive to chemicals.

While there are many Youtube videos and reels on this topic. Knowing the safe amount to use on your particular wig is something that has not been confirmed.

Clorox-Free Product Recommendations for Wig Bleaching

Now that we clarified Clorox is harmful for your human hair wig and will be just fine cleaning your dishes only. Next, well look for Clorox-free options. There are plenty of such products available on the market.

Here are some recommendations:

PRAVANA Pure Light ULTRA Lightener

PRAVANA is a popular brand that offers variety of hair care products. The Pure Light ULTRA Lightener features ReUnite Mending Technology that can bleach the wig properly without causing any damage. It can lift the hair up to nine levels in just a single session, allowing you to go from dark hair to light blonde in a quick and efficient manner.

Clairol Professional BW2 Lightener

This developer and powder set can quickly bleach and lighten dark human hair wig to create an elegant golden-brown shade. It offers an even overall result with balanced lightening. The bleach is Clorox and dust free.

Bleaching human hair wigs is possible and there are many products that can help you easily accomplish this task. When it comes to bleaching wigs, it is recommended that you stay away from Clorox as it is harmful and simply not a good option. For safer, better alternatives, use any of the above-listed natural hair bleaching components or Clorox-free products.

Manic Panic Flash Lightning

This is one of the most popular bleach kits available on the market. Made to bleach dark hair, it can lift the hair up to five levels. Free from Clorox and other harmful chemicals, the product is capable of bleaching and lightening the hair wig evenly without causing any damage. The formula is cruelty-free and vegan.

Or use all three ! Yes, after some practice you may be able to use different lifting products for a highlight and low light effect.

Looking to bleach your knots only ?! -> Read our Step by Step process on Bleaching Your Knots Here

Recommended Natural Bleaching Components

There are many natural bleaching components that you can use to give your human hair wig a lighter shade. The following components are used around the world to bleach natural hair and hair wigs because of their effectiveness:

Honey

Known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, honey also contains a natural bleaching agent that allows it to be used to lighten your human hair wig several shades without worrying about any harmful side effects. Follow these instructions:

  1. Mix enough apple cider vinegar or water with honey to create an applicable mixture.
  2. Apply the mixture from root to tip on all of the hair via an application brush. You can apply it no matter whether the wig is dry or wet.
  3. Next, cover the hair with a plastic cap and leave for about an hour.
  4. Finally, rinse out with shampoo.

Lemon

Lemon works miracles for bleaching a wig thanks to its natural bleaching agent, i.e. citric acid. However, it is important to note that lemon can cause dryness so be sure to use with caution. You can combine it with moisturizing ingredients, e.g. honey, to minimize the drying effect. Follow these instructions:

  1. Squeeze two or three lemons into a spray bottle along with lukewarm water (about 1/4th liter is sufficient).
  2. Spray the mixture on the dry wig.
  3. Brush through the hair so that the mixture is distributed evenly.
  4. Leave in for a couple of hours before rinsing.

Chamomile

Chamomile is one of the most widely used ingredients for nourishing blonde hair. It is well-known for its bleaching properties. It can also produce golden highlights and reflection in brown hair wigs. Here’s how you can take advantage of it:

  1. Put a few chamomile tea sachets in boiling water. You can also use the raw chamomile flowers if they are available.
  2. Infuse for about ten to fifteen minutes then let it cool.
  3. First, shampoo your human hair wig and then use this infusion as rinsing water on clean strands.

Vinegar

Not only is vinegar an excellent natural cleaning agent, but it is also great for bleaching hair. Its lightening effects are very noticeable even after a single application. It also gives hair a healthier shine. Follow these instructions to use vinegar to bleach your human hair wig:

  1. Mix a 1:1 combination of water and apple cider vinegar. This is necessary to help prevent hair dryness.
  2. Apply the mixture over all through the hair and then let it sit for about 20 minutes.
  3. Thoroughly rinse out the hair.