How to Dye a Mohair Wig
The first doll to sport a mohair wig of which we have written history comes from Germany around 1880, and was introduced by the company Alt, Beck and Gottschalk. Mohair is still the choice of quality doll producers and hobbyists today who make the dolls' hair by hand. This process involves dying the hair; a project you can also do at home. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Mohair soap with a pH of 7
- Large plastic container
- Water
- Mohair conditioner
- Large stainless steel pot
- Mohair wig dying kit
- Mild dish detergent
- Wooden spoon
- Towel
- Drying rack or counter
Instructions
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1
Untangle the wig as well as possible. If the strands of mohair are entwined, the dye will not permeate the entire wig.
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2
Add a capful of the mohair soap to a container with hot water. Do not boil the water, but rather use hot tap water. Let the wig soak in the water for about 45 minutes.
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3
Rinse the soap out of the wig by running warm water over the wig until the water runs clear. If the wig still feels or looks dirty, repeat Step 2. If there are still tangles, use the mohair conditioner.
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4
Fill the pot about half way with water and add ¼ tsp. of dye for every once of mohair you are dying. Add the correct additive from the kit in the correct amount to stabilize the color you have chosen. The stabilizers come with the kit and vary according to color.
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5
Add 1 tsp. of the liquid detergent and turn the heat on to high beneath the pot. Allow the water to come to a rapid boil. Turn the heat to medium and immerse the wig into the water.
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6
Let the wig sit in the pot and keep the water at a low simmer for about 45 minutes. Stir the water every five minutes with a wooden spoon. Remove from the heat and allow the water to cool.
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7
Rinse first in warm water and then again in hot water. Allow the wig to soak in warm water with a few tablespoons of mohair conditioner mixed in. Rinse after about a half hour.
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8
Lay the wig on a towel to absorb excess water. Move to a drying rack or counter and let dry for at least 24 hours.
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9
Make sure the wig is totally dry before attempting to separate the strands of the wig. Separate each lock by hand and style the way you want.
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Tips & Warnings
Do more than one wig at a time to save wasting the dye.
Do not omit any steps of the process and do not let dye come into contact with metal, as this could cause unevenness of the dying.
