How to clean a hairbrush: tips and tricks

Do you remember when was the last time you properly cleaned your hairbrushes? If you can’t remember, then now is probably the right time to take care of that. And do you actually know how to clean a hairbrush? If the answer to that question is also no, you are in the right place! In this article we are going to tell you what happens to your hair when you use dirty hairbrushes and combs, how often should you deep clean them, and what are the best methods to do so. Leave your brushes on stand-by and read along:

Sitting at your vanity and brushing your hair is like a daily therapy session

Taking proper care of your hairbrushes also means taking care of your hair  

In this article

• Is brushing your hair good for you?
• Can a dirty hairbrush cause hair loss?
• How often should you brush your hair?
• Should you brush your hair wet or dry?
• How often should you clean and replace your hairbrush?
• What are the different types of hairbrushes?
• What is the best way to clean hairbrushes?
• Why is there lint in my hairbrush & how should I get it out?
• How to deep clean hairbrushes and combs with baking soda and vinegar

Is brushing your hair good for you?

Most of us brush our hair to keep it soft and detangled. What we don’t think about is that the action of brushing our hair is way more beneficial than the actual tangle-free hair. What do we mean by that? The action of brushing your hair is like a head massage that stimulates your scalp, which encourages blood flow and hair growth, respectively. Moreover, glands located on your scalp produce natural oils that are very important for the condition of your hair. When you are brushing the hair, you help distribute these natural oils from the roots to the ends of the hair. This lubricates your hair and keeps it healthier and shinier. Lastly, daily hair brushing helps remove loose hair. It is completely normal to shed up to 100 strands of hair each day, and brushing your hair helps you get rid of those sheds.

Brushing your hair daily is a must for shiny and healthy locks

Can a dirty hairbrush cause hair loss?

Your hairbrush accumulates bacteria and dirt with every use. What’s even worse is that once the bacteria and dust attach to your hairbrush, you cannot simply remove them. Using hair products regularly is another reason to deep clean your hairbrushes regularly. Mousse, hair setting spray, dry shampoo, and wax are just some popular hair products that leave a residue on your brush or comb. These substances create a build-up on your brush that you constantly put through your clean hair. Moreover, people who suffer from dandruff often return it back to their clean hair when brushing it. Plus, using a hair comb or brush for a longer period of time, might compromise its quality and functions, which can lead to even more hair damage and split ends. And no one wants that.

Keeping your hair combs and brushes clean is a must if you care about the condition of your hair

How often should you brush your hair?

According to researchers, brushing your hair a couple of times a day can cause hair loss and breakage. What’s more, vigorous hair brushing even if done only once a day can harm your hair way more than it can help. So what is the ideal situation? Research shows that brushing your hair gently twice a day is the healthiest option- once in the morning and once at night.

Keeping your hair soft and tangle-free without overdoing it- that’s the key to a healthy scalp and hair

 Flipping your head upside down when brushing can increase blood flow to the scalp, which can promote hair growth

Should you brush your hair wet or dry?

That depends. If your hair is naturally straight, then brushing it wet is a big NO! Wet hair is somewhat weaker and more fragile than when in a dry state. This means that brushing your hair wet increases your chances of breakage and damage. When your hair is dry, it is not that elastic, so it is much less prone to damage. That is the reason why straight hair requires dry brushing. On the other hand, things are different for naturally curly hair. Although hair is somewhat weaker when it is wet, it is much easier to brush curly hair when it is wet. Wet curls are weighed down and looser, which allows you to remove all the tangles with almost no effort. A good tip for both hair types is to condition generously with a hair mask or to use a hair detangling product on wet hair, so the hair becomes softer and easier to comb through. And be always gentle when brushing!

Straight hair calls for the dry brushing technique as it is more prone to breakages when wet

Curly headed girls are advised to brush their hair when it’s wet for easier detangling

How often should you clean and replace your hairbrush?

Generally, it is good to wash your brushes once a week if you are using a lot of hair styling products. They build up faster, and your brush becomes dirtier for a shorter period of time. If you are not relying on such products, then you can give your brush a wash every 2-3 weeks. When it comes to changing your hair bush, it is good to replace it once you see some bristles change their original shape or fall off. That is an indication that your brush is starting to age, and it is time for a new one!

Once you see bristles bending and falling off your hairbrush, it is time for a replacement

Combs are more durable than bristle hairbrushes, so their life span is longer 

What are the different types of hairbrushes?

Where should we start? There are brushes and combs for every type of hair and every purpose. For example, the wide-toothed comb is perfect for gently detangling the hair, the round brush is used for styling, and the teasing brush is used for well…. teasing the hair. In order for you to find the perfect brushes for you, we suggest researching online and seeking advice from people with the same hair type and goals as you.

Using the right brushes for your specific hair type can make all the change in the world for your hair 

The Afro picks allow for the roots to be stretched into the desired shape using a picking motion

What is the best way to clean hairbrushes?

No matter the shape, size, or type of your brush, experts agree that generally, the same cleaning method applies to all. What’s more, cleaning your hairbrushes is 10 times easier than cleaning your makeup brushes, for example. Keep reading to find out what you will need for your long-overdue brush cleaning spree:

If your brush looks something like this, it is a sign that it is time for a deep clean

Why is there lint in my hairbrush & how should I get it out?

Have you ever wondered why is there lint and fuzz on your favorite hairbrush? That gray lint residue around the bristles is actually dead skin cells, old hair, dust, and hair product residue. Pretty disgusting, right? What’s even worse is that once this fuzz forms, it becomes easier and easier for bacteria and dust to get trapped in it and for your brush to become more and more contaminated.

Here is how to remove it:

Start by removing all the accumulated hair and fuzz on the bristles. You can use a comb, a toothpick, and a pair of scissors to “comb through” the bristles and clean them thoroughly. (this method works for both lint and fallen hair, and is generally done before every deep cleaning) See the pictures below:

Use a toothpick to pull out all the hair and lint trapped around the brush bristles 

A wide-toothed comb is another great solution for removing trapped fuzz and fallen hair from your brush

How to deep clean hairbrushes and combs with baking soda and vinegar

Using baking soda and vinegar is a great way to disinfect and deep clean your hairbrushes once every few weeks.

Cleaning your brushes regularly will prevent them from accumulating large amounts of dirt and fuzz

What you will need:

• baking soda
• distilled white vinegar
• shampoo
• an old toothbrush
• a bowl or a container (big enough for your brushes)
• a comb or a toothpick (to remove hair and dirt)

Method:

1. First, start by removing all the fuzz and dead hair from your brush. Use a comb or a toothpick, as we showed in the pictures above.
2. After you are done, fill up your bowl or container with warm water. Add some baking soda and white vinegar. (there are no exact measurements, so you can’t do anything wrong)
3. Swirl your dirty brushes into the mixture and after that leave them to soak.
4. After 30 minutes, take the brushes out of the mixture.
5. If you see some leftover dirt, add some shampoo to the mixture and dip the old toothbrush into it.
6. Start scrubbing your brushes until they are squeaky clean.
7. Finally, rinse your brushes in some running water and plop them on a towel to air-dry.
8. You are done!

A toothbrush can easily reach and clean all the unreachable places 

Soaking your combs and hairbrushes is key to ensuring a deep and thorough disinfection 

Take a look at these hairbrushes and combs and their cool designs: