How to Store Hair Extensions Properly: Prevent Tangling, Matting & Shedding

Let’s be honest—good hair extensions don’t come cheap. They’re an investment in your look, your confidence, and let’s face it, that “main character energy” you feel when you step out the door. But here’s the catch: even the highest-quality Remy extensions won’t last if you don’t know how to store hair extensions and just toss them in a drawer or leave them in a messy pile on your vanity (don’t worry, we’ve all done it).

This is why properly storing hair extensions is such a game-changer. Take care of them the right way, and your butterfly weft, clip-ins, tape-ins, or wefts will stay silky, smooth, and photo-ready for far longer than you expect. Ignore it, and you’re signing up for tangling, matting, and shedding—the kind of nightmare that makes you want to toss out the whole set.

So, let’s keep it real and go step by step—no boring textbook tips, just practical advice you can actually put into action tonight when you take your extensions out.

Table of Contents

1. Why Should You Store Hair Extensions Properly?
2. How to Store Hair Extensions Properly: 5 Step Routine
   • Step 1: Always Detangle First
   • Step 2: Keep Them Dry and Clean
   • Step 3: Choose the Right Storage Method
     • Clip-in Extensions
     • Tape-in Extensions
     • Wefts & Bundles
   • Step 4: Store Them Away from Heat & Sunlight
   • Step 5: Keep Them Separate
3. How Proper Storage Extends the Life of Your Extensions
4. Daily Habits That Help Store Hair Extensions Without Tangling or Shedding
5. Wrapping It Up

Key Takeaways

• Always detangle and dry extensions before storing to prevent knots and damage.
• Store clip-in hair extensions properly in a silk pouch, storage box, or hanger.
• For tape-ins, use flat pouches or sleeves to prevent matting and shedding.
• Keep extensions in a cool, dark space away from heat and sunlight.
• Consistency is everything—just a couple minutes of care each night makes extensions last months longer.
• High-quality brands like Joice Hair not only look better but also hold up longer with the right storage routine.

Why Should You Store Hair Extensions Properly?

Think of your extensions like a luxury dress. You wouldn’t ball it up and shove it into the corner of your closet, right? Same principle applies here. Hair extensions—especially Remy extensions—are real human hair. That means they’re delicate, prone to environmental damage, and need some TLC to stay fabulous.

Bad storage can cause:

• Tangling – when strands twist together like headphones in your bag.
• Matting – when tangles compact into a messy knot that feels like Velcro.
• Shedding – when hair fibers loosen or break because of friction and poor care.

The fix? A few smart habits that don’t take more than two minutes of your nightly routine.

How to Store Hair Extensions Properly: 5 Step Routine

Step 1: Always Detangle First

Here’s the golden rule before you store clip in hair extensions properly: brush them out.

It might sound obvious, but a lot of people skip this part when they’re tired at night. A gentle detangling with a wide-tooth comb or a special extension brush ensures knots don’t form while they’re sitting in storage.

Think of it like brushing your teeth—skip it once, and you might not notice. Skip it often, and the damage adds up.

Pro tip: Always start brushing from the ends and work your way up. Tugging from the top down just rips through the hair and causes unnecessary shedding.

Step 2: Keep Them Dry and Clean

Moisture is the enemy when it comes to storage. Even slightly damp extensions can become a breeding ground for bacteria, not to mention they’re more fragile when wet.

So before you put them away, make sure your extensions are completely dry. If you’ve just washed them, let them air dry overnight on a hanger. No shortcuts with heat styling here—the less direct heat, the better.

And yes, that means don’t throw them into a bag straight after a night out (I know, I know… we’ve all been there).

Step 3: Choose the Right Storage Method

This is where most of the magic happens. Depending on the type of extensions you own, here’s how to store them properly:

Clip-in Extensions

These are the easiest. After brushing, either:

• Storage box: Lay them flat in the box they came in, or a small shoe box lined with silk.
• Hair extension hanger: If you like quick access, hang them in your closet like an outfit.

Both methods help prevent tangling Remy extensions storage nightmares.

Tape-in Extensions

These need a little extra care since the adhesive base can attract lint or bend if squished.

• Flat silk pouch: Keeps them smooth and prevents matting.
• Plastic sleeve or binder sheets: A fun hack I’ve seen—slide tape-ins into clear sheet protectors and store in a binder (yes, like old-school Pokémon cards). Works like a charm.

That’s your matting shedding tape-in storage advice in a nutshell: keep them flat, covered, and out of humidity.

Wefts & Bundles

Wefts are best braided loosely before storage. This keeps them neat and reduces friction. Slip them into a satin bag, and they’ll stay fresh until your next install.

Step 4: Store Them Away from Heat & Sunlight

Hair doesn’t like extremes. Just like your skin, direct sunlight can dry out extensions, fading their color and making them brittle. And if they’re near a heater or hot appliance? Double the damage.

Your safest bet: a cool, dark drawer or closet. Think of it as their beauty sleep zone.

Step 5: Keep Them Separate

Mixing your extensions with other accessories—like jewelry, bobby pins, or random hair ties—almost guarantees tangling and matting. Give your extensions their own space. A simple satin pouch or box dedicated just for them works wonders.

It’s like giving them their own apartment instead of forcing them into a messy dorm room.

The Secret to Making Extensions Last

Even with perfect storage, extensions won’t last forever. But proper care can stretch their lifespan from a couple months to nearly a year (sometimes more for high-quality Remy). That’s the difference between constantly repurchasing and actually enjoying your investment.

And here’s where I’ll sneak in something important: choosing the right brand matters. With Joice Hair, for example, you’re not just getting strands of hair—you’re getting ethically sourced, silky-smooth extensions that are designed to withstand daily wear and still look stunning. Honestly, caring for them feels less like a chore and more like keeping a beauty secret alive. Extensions like that deserve good storage, don’t they?

Daily Habits That Help Store Hair Extensions Without Tangling or Shedding

• Wash only when needed (every 15–20 wears).
• Use silk or satin—not cotton—storage bags to minimize friction.
• Label your extension sets if you switch colors often (trust me, it saves confusion at 7 AM).
• Never sleep in clip-ins. You wouldn’t sleep in your jeans, right? Same deal.

Wrapping It Up

Learning how to store hair extensions isn’t rocket science—it’s more about consistency than perfection. Brush them, dry them, tuck them into a safe little spot, and they’ll reward you with fewer tangles, less shedding, and way more good hair days.

The cool part? Once you make it a routine, it takes less than two minutes. Seriously, storing extensions properly is like putting your phone on the charger at night—it’s just one of those “non-negotiables” you’ll thank yourself for later.

So tonight, when you take out your extensions, ask yourself: are they going into a silky little home, or are they about to suffer the fate of the messy drawer monster? Your future self (and your gorgeous hair) already knows the answer.