Hairbrushes are an essential component of the daily grooming routine. They are used to spread conditioner, remove tangles, and make hair look cleaner.
However, hairbrushes can also be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. The bristles act as a filter for the hair and trap dirt and oil that can then be passed on to your scalp.
If you are someone who has been neglecting to clean your hairbrush, then it is time to do so. This article breaks down the reasons why to clean up the hairbrush regularly and 7 simple steps that guide you through how to clean up a hairbrush without hassle.
Why do You Need to Clean Your Hairbrush Regularly?
A dirty hairbrush is a breeding ground for bacteria and can lead to scalp infections, hair loss, and dandruff. If you have an oily scalp, this can cause the buildup of mold and bacteria on your hairbrush. The bristles can also trap dirt and oil from your scalp.
Therefore, you should clean your hairbrush regularly to avoid bacterial growth. Furthermore, long-term hair residue buildup will cause the hairbrush to lose its effectiveness as it will no longer distribute natural oils or remove tangles or knots with ease.
How Often to Clean the Hairbrush?
The best thing you can do for your hairbrush is to clean it regularly. It is recommended that you should clean the brush thoroughly at least once a month.
Some people might need to do it more often depending on their hair type and how often they brush their hair. If you have curly or wavy hair, then it is more difficult to maintain because they are prone to tangles and knots. On the other hand, if you have straight hair, then you might need less frequent brush cleaning.
However, it is always recommended to remove the hair entangled in the comb every day or two if you have long or thick hair.
What do You need to Clean Your Hairbrush?
Before you clean up your hairbrush or comb, you should prepare a list of proper tools in hand. Using the proper tools can always simplify and speed up the overall process.
What you need include:
- Hot Water
- Shampoo
- Long tail comb or hair claw
- Toothbrush
- Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
- Sink or bowl
- Dry towel
- Scissors
How to Deep Clean a Hairbrush?
A hairbrush can be made from different materials, including plastic, wood, bamboo, and metal. Depending on the material used in your hairbrush, we recommend different methods for cleaning to reach the best possible results.
Deep cleaning your hairbrush is a simple way to keep it in good condition. It will also prevent the spread of bacteria from one person’s hair to another.
1. Remove the Residual Hair on the Hairbrush
When removing hair from a brush, it is essential to perform the task very thoroughly. Start at the base of your brush and use a comb to lift away hair strands. Make sure you avoid getting too close to the base of the bristles or you can damage your brush.
You may also need scissors to cut away strands of hair that are tightly knotted in the bristles, especially when they’re in clumps.
When you’re looking to master the technique of removing hair from your brush, you must avoid applying too much force to the bristles. Otherwise, it might eventually lead to the hairbrush breaking.
2. Clean up with Hot Water and Shampoo
To start shampoo cleaning with hot water, just place a generous amount of shampoo on the bristles of your brush. Gently massage the bristles before flipping the brush down and allowing it to soak in the water. Allow any leftover hair or dirt on your brushes to be released before placing them back upright.
To clean a wooden hairbrush, you can mix a dollop of shampoo with warm water in a small bowl. Then use one of your toothbrushes to distribute the shampoo on top of the bristles. Gently brush through the bristles and shake off the bristles in the bowl water to flush away the dirty particles scrubbed. Be sure to use light circular motions and avoid water wet on the wooden base.
3. Soak The Hairbrush
If your hairbrush is made of plastic, you are allowed to leave your brushes submerged in the water overnight so they can soak up all the grimes. Grabbing them in the morning and scrubbing them with a toothbrush should clear out any leftover gunk.
Just bear in mind that the wooden and natural bristles hairbrush should never be submerged in the water. The water can damage the wooden base and loosen the bristles.
4. Wash with Baking Soda
Baking soda is very easy and handy when you’ve got stubborn grime to clean up. The baking soda reacts with the grease and soap to make a cleaning solution that breaks down the dirt. How do you clean the hairbrush with baking soda at home?
To clean your hairbrush, mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a teaspoon of shampoo. Then add warm water to a bowl and use your old toothbrush to spread the mixture between the bristles.
The baking soda and shampoo mixture will break down any oil or dirt that has been stuck in your hairbrush. Rinse off with warm water afterward, shake off the excess water, and let it dry overnight.
5. Rinse Thoroughly with Warm Water
Once you have removed all the residual hair from your brush, it is time to rinse out your brush in water. This will remove any dirt and debris that has accumulated in your brush over time.
6. Wipe with Alcohol to Disinfect Thoroughly
To keep your brushes and combs shiny and fresh, it is important to disinfect them. You can do this by wiping them with alcohol. Alcohol is a sanitizing agent that kills germs and bacteria. It can be used on surfaces to sanitize them, as well as on your body.
Wiping a comb with alcohol is a good way to sanitize it. This should be done after each use. Alcohol will kill any bacteria that might be on the comb, which may lead to an infection if left untreated.
Dip a cloth or cotton swab in 70% isopropyl alcohol and wipe the surface of the hairbrush or comb.
After wiping the surface of the comb, do not rinse. Be sure to allow it to air-dry completely before storing it away.
7. Dry with a Towel
The final step in deep cleaning is to place the hairbrush on a dry towel to absorb the water then use your fingers to comb through it.
A hairdryer is not recommended because some hairbrushes or combs are not heat resistant. Just dry off your brush with a towel or paper towel and store it in a cool dry place.
Final Thoughts
A hairbrush is an important tool for maintaining healthy and clean hair. It can be used to remove tangles and knots in the hair, which may not be easy to do by hand.
Therefore, a hairbrush can easily get dirty with repeated daily usage. Those clumps of broken hair and oil residue can easily build up on the hairbrush or comb.
