Tip #1: Using the back end of a spoon (or our eye changing tool), you can gently pry up an old wig by first lifting all the edges around the wig around the outside hairline. Once enough of it is lifted up and separated from the head, you can then dig into the middle and pull up on the wig to completely remove it from the head. Note that this method is tedious and requires much strength. It is possible that pieces of the old wig will remain stuck to the head and that the outside wig may rip in places. It is also possible that hair that got stuck during gluing will completely come out so this method is one we only recommend if you are not saving your old wig. Dolls with old glue will come off easier, dolls with newer glue or that were glued with super glue will be a lot more difficult.

PRO's: Some people like pieces of the old wig stuck to the head to use it as friction for putting on a new wig and it not sliding out without gluing it. CON's: A silicon cap will work to keep non-glued wigs on rather than using this method, and you are likely to damage the wig using this method. Only recommend if you don't care about the current hair.

Tip #2: Using a blow dryer about 1" away from your doll, heat the edges of the wig. Do not get too close as the air is hot and depending on what kind of doll you have you don't want to melt the hair. Once the edges get hot use the back end of a spoon (or our eye changing tool) to pry up the edges of the wig. This should go easily as the glue will be heated and sticky again and you have to do less pulling and tugging. That glue is hot, so make sure you are careful not to burn yourself on any hot glue. This method preserves the original wig and is less likely to damage it or rip it during removal. Often times you will be able to keep the wig completely in tact and end up with a fairly smooth head with no wig wefts stuck to the head.

PRO's: You end up with your wig in tact and a smooth head when you are through CON's: Holding that blow dryer is tedious and hot and if you get too close you could melt hair if you aren't paying attention, and watch for hot glue when pulling off. This is the most effective method if you are trying to save the old wig.

Tip #3: Set out a towel on your kitchen counter. Boil a pot of water and stick the doll's head in there once it starts boiling. If it's still attached to a body you'll need to hold it upside down for about 5 minutes dipping it in and out. Transfer the doll, once it's been heated in the water to the towel and then using your back end of a spoon (or our eye changing tool) to pry up the edges of the wig on the hairline and remove the wig. The water will have loosened the wig completely and it will come off really easily. Note that this is an effective method for getting off old wigs that you do not plan to re-use or sell. Dipping hair in the boiling water will remove all curl from the wig and/or any styling.

PRO's: Easy and fast to remove a wig. Probably the easiest and fastest of all methods. CON's: If you had beautiful styling on your wig, it's all gone with this process and you have to completely re-curl or restyle the wig you removed. This is only applicable if you want to save the old wig. Otherwise this is the best method to get off an old wig and throw it in the garbage!