How to Clean a Hairbrush

Your hairbrush is a fundamental item in your daily routine, specifically when it comes to your hygiene. Nonetheless, many people neglect it; thus, it accumulates dirt and grime. This guide helps you step-by-step commercial cleaning get rid of all that, so read until the end.

Why You Should Clean Your Hairbrush

Your hairbrush is an essential item you need to keep your hair free of tangles, but it also acts like a sponge, regardless of how often you use it. In other words, it absorbs dirt and many other residues from your hair and the products you use.

The brush, for example, absorbs all the dead cells your hair sheds. Additionally, the gels, shampoo, conditioner, and any other product you use also stick to the hairbrush’s bristles.

Everyone sheds hair – it’s completely normal. Thus, it can accumulate in your brush as well. Other particles from the environment like dust and all kinds of dirt can settle in your hairbrush, especially if you’re already used to using products for oily hair since it makes it easier for the particles to stick there.

If your brush is dirty, it means one thing: it probably can’t do its job right. Therefore, keeping it clean is essential. Brushing your hair with a dirty hairbrush might mean that all the dirt in there is sticking to your hair as well, and you definitely don’t want that.

How Often Should You Clean Your Hairbrush?

It all depends on the products you use, the type of hair you have (oily, dry, long, short, etc.), and on how often you use them.

People who use a lot of gels, hairspray, styling creams, etc., should prioritize cleaning their hairbrush at least once a week. These products are often oily or contain ingredients that stick to the brush and make it easier for grime and dirt to settle at its base as well.

If you don’t use gels or hair products regularly, then you could clean your brush every two weeks. At the same time, removing the hair that settles at its base is an essential tip to keep the brush clean, and you can do that every two or three days.

Guide to Clean Your Hairbrush Step by Step

Cleaning your brush is a very straightforward process and it doesn’t take much time. Consequently, once you learn how to do it, you can do it again by yourself.

To begin, you need water (preferably in a bowl, but you can use the sink in your bathroom as well), some shampoo (a gentle one), an old toothbrush, and scissors. Optional items include baking soda and a rat tail comb.

Some people might wonder if the method is different depending on the type of brush they have. If your brush is made of wood or plastic, for example, you may ask yourself if the process varies.

Even though it has certain variations, the method to clean your brush is essentially the same. Therefore, once you have the previously mentioned items, you can get started. Follow the next steps to get rid of all the dirt in your hairbrush:

Remove Hair

Firstly, you have to remove all the hair that has accumulated there. In this step, you have to use the rat tail brush – tug from the base to the top and get rid of the hair.

If you don’t have a rat tail brush, you can use any pointed object, for instance, a pencil or a pen. It doesn’t really matter as long as it serves the same purpose.

In some cases, you might have trouble removing tangled hair. Therefore, you can use the scissors to cut it off, and then grab your rat tail brush or your pointed object to get it off the brush.

Dip the Hairbrush, then Shake it

Grab your bowl and fill it with warm water (complete this step in the sink if you don’t have a bowl nearby). Add a couple of drops of your gentle shampoo. If you want a more powerful mix, add one or two teaspoons of baking soda.

Stir the mix well, and then dip your hairbrush in it. If you have a plastic brush, you can completely submerge it, but if it’s made of wood, don’t do that because it can damage it. Instead, submerge the bristles and make sure you’re keeping the pad dry.

Once you’ve submerged the brush for a few seconds, get it out of the water and shake it. Then, repeat the process a few times.

When your brush is not that dirty, this method can help get rid of most of the oils and dust that settle in its base.

Use a Toothbrush

Sometimes, your brush may be extra dirty. If that’s the case, no need to fear – grab an old toothbrush and gently rub it against the hairbrush’s base to remove the accumulated dirt or grime.

In this step, you must start at the base and go upwards from there. The most important aspect is to guarantee you’re cleaning each bristle because if you’re not, then parts of your brush may still be dirty once you finish.

Rinse the Brush and Dry it

You can rinse your brush with cold water once you finish cleaning it. Alternatively, you could spray some water on it, or sprinkle the hairbrush with water at its base before you let it dry down.

Place the brush with the bristles facing down, preferably on top of a towel or a clean cloth, and leave it to dry.

If you’ve done all the steps correctly, this should be enough to guarantee your brush is completely clean. It shouldn’t have hair or particles stuck to its base, so examine your hairbrush as soon as you can and try to check if you missed something.

Keynote Takeaways

Cleaning your hairbrush is essential since this item keeps your hair tangle-free – it’s a crucial part of your hygiene.

Although neglecting this item is easy, you should clean it regularly to guarantee that oils and dirt don’t stick to its base.

About the Author