How to Clean Hair Brushes

Are you not one of those people who prefer to clean hairbrushes regularly? Then, you should know that it is essential to clean the brush daily. As per the statement of Alex Brown, a Chicago-based celebrity hairstylist, regularly cleaning the Hairbrush helps to remove dirt and product residue. In addition, you should know that if you do not clean your brush, oil from the scalp usually builds up on the bristles. So, cleaning your hair brush regularly can help you to get rid of this.

Therefore, if you use an unclean comb, all that dirt, oil, and gunk will return to your Hair. In addition, if product residue, dead skin cells, and loose Hair build up daily in your hair brush, it will look filthy and harm your freshly washed Hair. Remember, only a clean hair brush helps to smooth strands and detangle Hair.

Try to clean it by investing some time. So, if you want the hair brush to perform its work properly, you need to make sure that you are cleaning it appropriately. So, now, let's learn how to quickly clean hair brushes at home.

Why is it important to clean your Hairbrush?

It doesn't matter how often you use the comb, as it can act like a sponge. This means that the brush has the ability to trap all kinds of residues in the bristles, from Hair and environment.

Generally, we use different products for hair care, such as leave-in conditioners, gels, or hairsprays. These may build up on the Hair and can get stuck in the brush's bristles. Besides, you should know that dead skin cells build up in the brush over time. Therefore, it gets transferred back to your Hair whenever you use it.

You definitely know that Hair sheds daily. The American Academy of Dermatology said that 50-100 hair is normally shed daily. Therefore, you can get to see a lot of this shedded Hair accumulated at the base of the comb. Moreover, the brush can soak particles such as soot, dust, and other grime, which can gradually build up in the comb. When the bristles get coated in oil or sticky hair products, these particles can stick to the brush.

If you don't clean your Hairbrush regularly, all this residue will get deposited in your Hair every time you use the Hairbrush. Therefore, for a dirty brush, it's harder to perform its work.

How often should you clean your brush?

In this regard, you should know that there is no hard rule regarding how often you need to clean the comb. Because it totally depends on the types of products you are using on your Hair and how often these are used.

Suppose you use styling creams, gels, or hairspray daily. Then, you should clean the comb once a week. Whereas if you are using these products sparingly in your Hair, you should clean the brush every two to three weeks.

If you are willing to clean the brushes easily, remove the accumulated Hair from the bristles every couple of days.

What Should You Use to Clean Your Hair Tools?

Clarifying Shampoo: This product is mainly manufactured to eliminate oily residue and grime from the scalp. Besides, it can help to clean the hair brushes.

Liquid Soap: You can use castile soap so that you can dissolve the debris from the brush. Remember that these soaps don't contain any chemicals.

Baby Shampoo: This is a good alternative for cleaning hair tools, including combs and brushes.

Baking Soda: You can add one tablespoon of baking soda to your shampoo before cleaning the hair brushes. You should know that baking soda is non-toxic. Besides, it is an excellent home remedy for dirt removal.

Disinfectants: These are used in parlors and salons as they use hair tools extensively. However, nowadays, the UV light-based hair brush sanitizing device is used to get rid of microbes.

How to Clean Hair Out of a Hairbrush:

You can easily remove lint and strands of Hair from a hairbrush.

What You Need:

• Scissors

• Hairbrush cleaning tools (optional)

Step 1) Pull Hair from Brush:

Your first task is using your fingers or a comb to pull the hair out of the comb gently.

Step 2) Cut Strands away from Hair:

If you use a round brush and want to clean it, you should loosen the hair wound around your brush. After that, your task is to use two scissors so that you can cut away the strands carefully.

If you want to follow the advanced cleaning process, then you can get such tools which are manufactured mainly for cleaning combs.

How to Clean a Hairbrush:

Before knowing how to clean a brush, you must know which kind of Hairbrush you should use. If you are looking for such brushes which are the simplest to clean, then you should choose brushes with synthetic (plastic) bristles and handles. On the other hand, if you want natural-bristle or wooden-handled brushes, remember that you need to put effort into cleaning these.

What you will need:

• Pintail comb 
• Tweezers 
• Toothbrush 
• Gentle shampoo without added conditioners 
• Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) 
• Disinfecting spray 
• Baking soda 
• Sink or bowl 
• Towel

Hairbrushes With Synthetic Bristles and Handles:

Follow these steps if you use such brushes that come with synthetic bristles and handles. However, you can follow this process for cleaning cushioned and paddle brushes.

Remove the Hair: First, you need to use your fingers, the end of a pintail comb, or tweezers to remove the accumulated Hair from the bristles.

Wash the brush: You need to fill a large bowl with hot water. Then, you have to add about two teaspoons of shampoo. Then, your task is to swish the brush into it to make some suds.

Let it soak: Allow the brush to get soaked for ten minutes. Then, you need to take the help of a clean toothbrush so that you can scrub between the bristles rows and around the handle.

Scrub with baking soda: Have you found the buildup of hair products in the hair brush? In this case, you need to dip the damp toothbrush in the dry baking soda, and then you need to continue scrubbing. In this case, the soda will work as a gentle abrasive so that it can remove the gunk.

Rinse thoroughly: You should use warm water to rinse the brush. Then, you are required to shake out the excess water. Now, you have to place the brush on a towel keeping the bristles down to dry.

Sanitize the brush: Ensure that you have mixed isopropyl alcohol and water equally. Now, you need to dip your brush in the solution. Next, you are required to place the brush on your towel to let you dry in the air.

Natural-Bristle Hair Brushes:

These brushes are more costly. Besides, these brushes can make your Hair smoother and shiner compared to synthetic bristles. People usually consider Boar bristles the best. These brushes usually come with a wooden handle.

Remove the Hair: You should start removing Hair with the help of the end of a pintail comb, your fingers, or a tweezer from bristles.

Wash the bristles: Take a shallow bowl where you can easily submerge the bristles. But remember that you should not submerge the handle. Then, you have to mix warm water and one teaspoon of gentle shampoo. Then, you need to place the brush over your bowl in such a way so that only the bristles will get submerged. You need to wait for ten minutes to let the bristles soak. Then, you have to remove your brush. You need to use your hands so that the mixture can reach between the bristle rows. Make sure that you are getting down to the base.

Rinse the brush: Use warm running water to rinse your brush. Afterward, you need to place the brush on a towel so that it can get dried overnight.

Sanitize the brush (optional): Do you think that your brush needs to be sanitized? You should use a disinfecting spray in this case. For instance, Lysol can be used for killing bacteria. You must not use isopropyl alcohol as it helps to dry out natural bristles. However, in this regard, you should know one thing: this step is optional.

Hairbrushes with a Wooden Handle:

This kind of hair brush usually comes with synthetic, natural, or a mixture of bristles. In this case, you should remember that you must not allow the brushes to get soaked in water. If these brushes get soaked in water, the wood will deteriorate, and the bristles will loosen. If the wooden brush gets wet, ensure you are not using the high heat of a hairdryer to dry it. If you want to dry it, you need to use cool air or let the wood dry in the air.

If you see that the handle has too much hair product buildup, you need to dip a toothbrush in soapy water. After that, your job is to scrub it so that you can remove any residue. After that, your task is to use a clean towel to wipe the handle. Then, you are required to place the brush with the bristles down on a towel for air-dry.

How to Clean a Hairbrush with Lint:

As soon as the tangled Hair is removed from the bristles, you can see a lot of lint or dust stuck to the brush's base. Also, you may find it more challenging than removing the Hair as it is mixed with scalp oils and the residue of the hair products.

If you see any lint after cleaning bristles, ensure that you use a toothbrush so that the lint can be swept out. Although you need to move the toothbrush both horizontally and vertically through the bristles' row.

You must rinse the hair brush properly. After that, let the brush dry in the air with the bristles down.

How to Clean a Hairbrush if You Have Dandruff:

You should know that dandruff is a skin condition where human skin flakes off the scalp. As a result, it leaves visible flakes on Hair and clothing. However, you can control this easily using medicated shampoos. Although it can make your Hairbrush look filthy. Those who have dandruff need to clean their Hairbrush weekly to prevent skin flakes from getting redeposited into the Hair.

What are the mistakes that you should avoid when you clean your Hairbrush?

• Never skip daily cleanings of the hair brush. Each brush must undergo the cleaning process at least monthly. In addition, you must clean the comb more frequently if you have long hair and use many hair products. Besides, those who have any dandruff issues or other scalp conditions need to clean the Hairbrush more frequently. 
• You must not soak a hairbrush that comes with a wooden handle. If you soak a brush with a wooden handle, it may cause the wood to split. As a result, the bristles might get loosen. 
• Never use extremely hot water to clean or dry your Hairbrush. Because due to high temperatures, the synthetic bristles can get melted. Besides, high heat can destroy the oils that remain in natural bristles. 
• Never use alcohol to sanitize natural bristles. For example, if you use Isopropyl alcohol, it may dry the natural oils in boar bristles. 
• You must not forget to clean the handle and brush's head.

When is it time to replace your Hairbrush?

It is true that if you maintain the cleaning routine of your brush, you can keep it in good shape. But after a time, you need to replace your old hair brush. Remember that a good quality hairbrush can last for years. But when the bristles get worn down, you need to buy a new one.

The bottom line:

If you want your Hair to look best without dirt or unnecessary oils, try thoroughly cleaning your brush daily. This article discusses a few procedures that will let you know how to clean your hair brush. Still, if you have queries, let us know via comments.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. How often should you replace your wet brush?

Remember that if you use your wet brush frequently, it may shorten its lifespan. Generally, replacing the Hairbrush every six months to a year is essential.

Q. Can old brushes cause dandruff?

Yeah. If you use a dirty or old brush, it can lead to hair breakage. Besides, it can make your scalp itchy.

Q. Can a dirty hair brush cause greasy Hair?

The extra dirt and oil will stick to your Hair if you do not clean your brush daily. So, if you use the same unclean brush regularly, it can make your Hair greasy.