How to Clean Hairbrushes Gently and Thoroughly

Have you ever wondered what’s the best way to clean a hairbrush? You want it clean for your scalp, but you don’t want to damage the bristles. What’s the best option?

Over time, hairbrushes build up not only hairs, but dirt, oils, and product build-up. This can keep them from working their best, and it’s also unhygienic.

And that means regular cleaning of your family’s hairbrushes is an important task that we often overlook. So here’s a  step-by-step guide on how to clean hairbrushes effectively.

Why It Matters

You might think what can it matter? If you don’t share your brush, then it’s just your germs, right? That’s true, but you’re not immune to your own germs, especially if they’ve had a while to grow.

And if you use any kind of styling product, you’re rubbing that back into your hair every time you use a dirty brush. So if you’ve got teenagers who think it can’t matter, here are some points for them to think about.

Hygiene: Hairbrushes can harbor bacteria, dead skin cells, and product residue. Failure to clean them regularly can lead to scalp infections and other hair-related issues.

Improved Hair Health: Dirty hairbrushes can transfer oils and dirt back into your hair, making it look dull and greasy. Cleaning your brushes will help maintain the health and shine of your tresses.

Better Styling Results: A clean brush with properly aligned bristles will glide through the hair effortlessly, resulting in smoother, more polished hairstyles.

Materials

You won’t need all these things every single time you clean brushes, especially if you do some basic cleaning frequently. These are examples of tools you might use.

1. A Comb: Using a comb will help remove any tangled hair from the brush before cleaning it.
2. Scissors: You may need scissors to cut through any stubborn hair strands that are difficult to remove.
3. Shampoo or Liquid Soap: Mild shampoo or liquid soap will effectively remove dirt and product build-up from your brushes.
4. Warm Water: Warm water is ideal for cleaning hairbrushes as it helps to dissolve oils and debris.
5. A Small Bowl or Sink: You’ll need a small bowl or sink to soak your brushes in the cleaning solution.
6. A Toothbrush or Cleaning Brush: A toothbrush or small cleaning brush will be handy for scrubbing the bristles and removing any stubborn residue.

Start by Removing The Remove Hair

The first step in cleaning your hairbrush is removing any trapped hair. Here’s how to do it:

1. Use the comb to gently lift and remove any tangled hair from the bristles. Start from the base of the brush and work your way up.
2. For stubborn knots or tangled hair, use a pair of scissors to carefully cut through them. Be cautious not to damage the bristles or cushion of the brush.
3. Dispose of the removed hair in a trash bin to prevent it from clogging your drains.

Prepare the Cleaning Solution

Once you’ve removed the hair from your brush, it’s time to prepare a cleaning solution:

1. Fill a small bowl or sink with warm water.
2. Add a few drops of mild shampoo or liquid soap to the water. Mix it gently until it forms a soapy solution.
3. Ensure the water is not too hot as it can damage the bristles or cushion of the brush.

Soak the Brush

Now that you have your cleaning solution ready, follow these steps to soak your brush:

1. Submerge the hairbrush into the soapy water. Make sure the bristles are fully covered.
2. Allow the brush to soak for approximately 10-15 minutes. This will help soften any product build-up and loosen dirt particles.
3. If you have multiple brushes, repeat this process for each one individually.

Scrub and Rinse

After soaking your brushes, it’s time to scrub and rinse them clean.

1. Take a toothbrush or small cleaning brush and gently scrub the bristles, base, and cushion of the brush. Pay close attention to hard-to-reach areas where dirt tends to accumulate.
2. Continue scrubbing until all dirt, oils, and product residue have been removed.
3. Rinse the brush thoroughly under warm running water to remove any remaining soap or debris.
4. Use your fingers to reshape the bristles if needed.

Dry Your Brushes

How you dry brushes can be as important as how you wash them.

1. Shake off any excess water from the brush.
2. Place the brush on a clean towel or paper towel with the bristles facing down. This will allow any remaining water to drip off without damaging the cushion or bristles.
3. Leave the brush to air dry completely before using it again. Avoid using heat sources such as hair dryers as they can warp or melt certain brush materials.

Additional Tips

1. Clean your brushes at least once a month or more frequently if you use styling products regularly.
2. Avoid storing brushes in damp areas as moisture can promote bacterial growth.
3. If you have natural bristle brushes, be cautious when cleaning them as excessive moisture can cause them to lose shape or become damaged.
4. Consider investing in a brush cleaner tool specifically designed for removing hair from brushes easily.
5. Regularly replace old or worn-out brushes to maintain optimal performance and hygiene.