How to Clean Your Hairbrush: Expert Tips for Healthier Hair
Transform your haircare routine by mastering the simple steps to thoroughly clean every type of hairbrush and promote scalp health.
How to Properly Clean Your Hairbrush: The Expert-Approved Guide
Your hairbrush is more than a styling tool—it collects hair, oil, styling product, dust, and even bacteria, all of which can be redeposited onto your clean hair and scalp. If left unchecked, this can contribute to buildup, irritation, and lackluster hair. Regularly cleaning your hairbrush is a crucial—but often neglected—step in any beauty regimen. This guide details why it matters, how often to clean your brush, steps for every brush type, and answers to the most common questions.
Why Cleaning Your Hairbrush Matters
- Removes hair, oils, product residue, and dead skin, preventing buildup and transferring unwanted gunk back onto your scalp.
- Reduces bacteria and prevents skin irritations that can lead to scalp problems.
- Promotes a healthier scalp and can improve the performance and lifespan of your hairbrush.
Every time you brush your hair, styling products, sebum, and particles from your scalp get transferred to the bristles. Over time, this collects as visible residue and invisible bacteria. Simply put, a clean brush equals cleaner hair and a healthier scalp.
How Often Should You Clean Your Hairbrush?
- Weekly: Recommended for most people, especially if you use heavy styling products or have long hair.
- Every two weeks: Sufficient for those with short hair, minimal product use, or if hair is washed less frequently.
- Immediate cleaning: If you notice sticky residue, unusual buildup, or strands tangled in the bristles.
According to haircare professionals, cleaning your brush almost weekly is best if you want to maintain scalp health and optimal styling results.
Tools and Supplies You’ll Need
- Tweezers or a pointed comb: Removes tangled hair from bristles.
- Shampoo or mild soap: Dissolves oils and product residue.
- Vinegar (optional): Breaks down stubborn buildup.
- Baking soda (optional): Adds extra cleaning power.
- An old toothbrush or small dish brush: Scrubs bristles and base.
- Cotton swabs and towels: Cleans handles and crevices.
- Isopropyl alcohol (optional): Sanitizes plastic or metal brushes.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Clean Any Hairbrush
Step 1: Remove Hair and Debris
Start by picking out all hair entwined in the bristles. Use your fingers, tweezers, or the pointed end of a comb. For stubborn tangles, snip gently with scissors so you don’t damage the brush.
Step 2: Prepare Your Cleaning Solution
- Standard solution: Mix warm water with a few drops of regular or clarifying shampoo.
- For stubborn residues: Add one teaspoon of baking soda.
- For extra degreasing or if dealing with dried, sticky buildup: Mix equal parts water and vinegar (or vinegar plus baking soda).
Tip: Make sure your bowl is large enough to fully submerge the bristles.
Step 3: Soak & Scrub
- Plastic or metal brushes: Submerge bristles for 10-15 minutes to loosen grime and residue.
- Wooden or natural bristle brushes: Avoid soaking the entire brush. Dip just the bristle area in water briefly and wipe the handle with a damp cloth.
What others are reading
After soaking, use a clean toothbrush or small brush to scrub between the bristles and along the base. Re-dip and repeat as needed until buildup disappears.
Step 4: Clean the Handle
- Wipe the handle with a damp towel to remove residue from products and hands.
- Use cotton swabs for hard-to-reach grooves or crevices.
- For wooden handles, avoid excessive water contact to prevent warping.
Step 5: Rinse and Dry Thoroughly
- Rinse: Hold the brush under running water until all soap and debris are gone.
- If the brush has a cushion base: Squeeze gently to eliminate trapped water and prevent mold.
- Dry: Lay bristle-side down on a clean towel, allowing any water to drain away. Air dry completely before next use.
Proper drying prevents bacterial growth and helps preserve the integrity of your hairbrush.
How to Remove Sticky Buildup & Heavy Product Residue
For brushes exposed to lots of styling products, hairsprays, or sticky residue:
- Fill a bowl with warm water and add a clarifying shampoo or mild dish soap.
- Add a teaspoon of baking soda for increased cleaning power.
- Soak the bristle area (avoid wood/cushion bases if possible).
- Use a toothbrush to scrub between bristles and along the base where residue collects.
- Rinse thoroughly under warm water.
- Lay bristle-side down to air dry.
For extremely stubborn buildup, especially on plastic or metal brushes:
- Dampen a cotton ball or soft cloth with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
- Wipe bristles and base, focusing on sticky or coated spots.
- Allow to sit for one minute, then scrub gently with a toothbrush.
- Rinse with hot water and air dry as usual.
Both these methods ensure maximum hygiene and help your brush perform effectively, leaving your hair cleaner and shinier.
Expert Insights On Brush Hygiene
- “Cleaning your hairbrushes is just as important as washing your hair,” says Erin Caltabiano, a professional stylist. Brushes accumulate not just hair and product, but also dead skin and bacteria which are then transferred back to your scalp if not regularly cleaned.
- “A clean brush = cleaner scalp = healthier hair,” advises Shelby Sells, another top stylist. Weekly cleaning, a soak in warm water with clarifying shampoo, followed by a thorough brush, and air-drying upside down, is her go-to method for clients.
How to Clean Specific Types of Hairbrushes
| Type of Brush | Cleaning Method | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic or Metal | Soak whole brush in soapy solution; scrub with toothbrush; rinse and air dry. | Can use isopropyl alcohol for heavy residue; fully submerge if needed. |
| Wooden Handle | Remove hair; dip bristle tips briefly; scrub gently; wipe handle with damp towel. | Never soak; avoid excess water; dry bristle-side down. |
| Natural Bristle | Pick out hair; dip only bristle tips in cleaning solution if necessary; use a toothbrush for buildup. | Do not soak; keep dry as much as possible. |
| Cushion or Paddle | Squeeze and blot cushion area after rinsing to remove trapped water; use clarifying shampoo for cleaning. | Dry thoroughly to prevent mold/mildew inside base. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I use dish soap to clean my hairbrush?
A: Yes, mild dish soap works well to dissolve oils and buildup, especially if you don’t use heavy styling products. For more intense residue, clarifying shampoo or baking soda is recommended.
Q: Is it safe to soak any hairbrush?
A: It’s fine for plastic or metal brushes; avoid soaking wooden or natural bristle brushes because water can damage them and encourage mold or warping.
Q: What if my brush has a padded or cushion base?
A: Only submerge the bristle area, squeeze gently to remove water, and always dry bristle-side down to prevent moisture buildup.
Q: How often should I replace my hairbrush?
A: With regular cleaning, most high-quality brushes last for years. Replace yours if bristles are missing or bent, the cushion is torn, or the brush feels less effective.
Q: Do I need to clean combs and hair accessories too?
A: Yes. Clips, combs, and other tools collect oils and product residue just like brushes. Clean them in the same cleaning solution at the same frequency for optimal hygiene.
Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Hairbrush and Scalp
- Remove hairs from brush after every use to minimize buildup.
- Keep brush dry and store in a clean area to prevent dust and bacteria.
- Deep clean once a week if you use lots of products; bi-weekly for lighter use.
- Regularly sanitize with isopropyl alcohol if your brush is plastic or metal, especially if you share brushes.
- Replace if the bristles start to split, stick out, or if cleaning no longer restores fresh feel.
Signs Your Brush Needs Cleaning or Replacing
- Visible matted hair stuck in bristles.
- Sticky, greasy, or gritty feel after brushing.
- Bristles discolored by residue or product.
- Unpleasant odor coming from cushion or handle.
- Loss of styling performance or increased scalp irritation after brushing.
Conclusion: Clean Brushes = Cleaner, Healthier Hair
Incorporating regular hairbrush cleaning into your beauty routine isn’t just about appearance—it’s crucial for scalp health, the effectiveness of your haircare products, and maintaining a hygienic environment. With the expert tips and step-by-step instructions above, cleaning any brush is quick and easy. Set a reminder, pick a day each week, and empower your haircare with this simple, science-backed habit.
References
Similar Articles
Read full bio of Sneha Tete
