Tips For Cleaning Your Hairbrush

Do you know how to clean your hairbrush? It is normal for this tool to start gathering strands of hair every time you use it. Some of them break off or fall out in the process to make way for new hair.

Either way, hair isn’t the only thing that starts to build up in your brush, so it’s important to clean it regularly. Carrying out this cleaning and disinfection process will undoubtedly prevent your hair or scalp from being affected (Spanish link).

This is because dust particles, oil from the products we use (or from the skin of the head), bacteria and contaminants from the environment build up in our brushes. We want to share with you some tips that will make the cleaning process easier and prevent dirt from building up and damaging your hair with each use.

Why is cleaning your hairbrush important?

As we mentioned, hair brushes can become a source of dirt, bacteria and mold. Studies have even shown (Spanish link) that the hair on the head, eyebrows and beard harbor various microorganisms from the environment.

Washing your hair and cleaning your brush is therefore essential to prevent these microorganisms from spreading. Ideally, you should be doing both at the same time, as combing clean hair with a dirty brush will only bring the bacteria you just washed off back into your hair.

How often should you clean your hairbrush?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (English link) , we lose between 50 and 100 hairs every day. Most of them get tangled in our hair brushes. So do the math: how many hairs can accumulate per week or month? Quite a lot, right?

We therefore recommend performing the cleaning process regularly. Although there are no rules for cleaning the hairbrush, it could look like this:

• Once a week if you apply a lot of products to your hair, especially hairspray or no-rinse treatments.
• If you normally wear your hair clean once every two weeks and use only a few products, treatments or oils.
• Either way, you can get rid of the excess hairs that get stuck in the brush every day.

Tips for cleaning your hairbrush

Cleaning and disinfecting your brush or comb is very easy, does not take long and you can use natural ingredients such as baking soda, which do not change the pH of your skin (Spanish link).

In fact, it helps regulate it and won’t damage or mishandle your brush. Let’s take a look at the step-by-step instructions for cleaning your hairbrush effectively.

1. Remove Excess Hair

If you haven’t already removed any loose hairs from your brush, this is the first thing to do. Depending on the type of brush and how much excess hair you have, it can be difficult to do it with your hands alone. If so, use a pointed comb to help.

You can also use a different type of stiff-bristled comb, scissors, or another pointed element. Do this step carefully so you don’t hurt yourself.

2. Soak the brushes to remove dirt

Even if there are no more visible hairs, soak the brush in warm water with shampoo or baking soda to remove the microorganisms and dirt trapped in the spaces you can’t see. You do this as follows:

• Put some warm water in a plastic container.
• Add the shampoo or baking soda and stir it so that it dissolves well.

• For a more efficient effect, use the shampoo and baking soda together.
• If the brush is completely plastic, submerge it completely and give it a shake. Then let it stand for five minutes.
• For brushes with dust on the handle or other area, do not allow it to come into contact with the solution. In that case, submerge the brush upside down and let the water level be just high enough to soak the bristles.
• The previous point also applies to brushes with wood.

3. Remove dirt particles with a toothbrush

If you notice that certain dirt particles are still attached to the brush during soaking and shaking, you should remove them with a toothbrush. To do this, remove the brush from the solution mentioned above, shake it to remove excess water and begin to comb the bristles with a toothbrush.

If a lot of dirt comes out, you can dip the brush back into the warm water to remove it. Keep doing it until you are satisfied.

4. Disinfect the brush

This extra step to disinfect the hairbrush is optional. All you need for this is a bowl of warm water and some white vinegar and then proceed as follows:

• Mix half a cup of white vinegar in a cup of water (Spanish link).
• Soak the brush for about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Take into account the recommendations of the first point, depending on the materials from which it is made.
• Continue to the next step.

5. Dry the brush

When the cleaning process is complete, rinse the brush with a little cold or warm water. Shake it and place it upside down on a dry cloth. Let it dry and you have a completely clean hairbrush!

Enjoy a clean hair brush

Now you know how to clean and disinfect your hairbrush! Remember to do this at least twice a month. That way you eliminate any threat that could harm the health of your hair and scalp.