Insider 101: How To Clean A Hairbrush In 4 Easy Peasy Steps

We know that the majority of us have to literally drag ourselves when it comes to cleaning (sorry mom). Unfortunately, we could not escape such wrath even in the beauty world. The truth is that there’s an infinite list of beauty tools that require meticulous care from soaping, and cleansing to scrubbing. Just take makeup brushes for example. Although we despise it, cleansing the beauty products has become a monthly prerequisite before we use them. With that being said, we often overlook the importance of having a squeaky clean hairbrush. In fact, how many of us have truly searched on how to clean a hairbrush? If you’re one of those few, give yourself a good pat on the back. 

We dare you to inspect your hairbrush closely and you will certainly see a pile of grimes and hair strands in between the bristles. Frankly, it can be gross but such an environment can actually proliferate the growth of bacteria and even fungus. Thereby causing inflammation, especially in those with existing seborrheic dermatitis and scalp conditions like dandruff. It’s time to give your hairbrush some revamp with this step-by-step guide on how to clean a hairbrush. 

How Often Should You Clean Your Hairbrush?

The frequency varies depending on the type of hair care products that you use and the amount of hair shedding. Generally, you should clean the hairbrush every two weeks. On the contrary, for those who frequently use hair styling products including cream and hairspray, it is recommended that you give your hairbrush a bath about once a week. One pro tip is to remove the excess hair strands accumulated around the bristles every few days to make sure that the cleaning process is easier. 

Step By Step Guide On How To Clean A Hairbrush Properly

Step 1: Remove The Hair 

Firstly, remove any excess hair strands that have piled up on the hairbrush. You can either use your fingers or the pointy end of the rat tail comb to pull them out manually. Do note that you can use any objects that have pointy features including a pen, pencil and even chopsticks. If you have difficulties in removing any hairs that have latched around the bristles, make sure to snip them with a pair of scissors. 

Step 2: Soak and Shake

Fill in a bowl or sink with warm water and add equal amounts of soap to create luxurious bubbles. We recommend you add a few teaspoons of baking soda and apple cider vinegar for a boost of cleaning power. For a plastic brush, you can simply submerge the bristles completely under the water for up to five minutes. 

However, if you’re using a wooden brush, it is advisable to only cleanse it with mild shampoo and avoid soaking it in the water as it can damage the brush. Instead, make sure to only dip the bristles briefly and keep the padded base dry. 

Step 3: Scrub-a-Dub-Dub

Afterwards, grab a clean toothbrush (that does not belong to anyone of course) and gently scrub the base of the brush to remove any stubborn buildup. Plus, don’t forget to clean between the bristles as well. When needed, you can dip the toothbrush in the water concoction. One tip is to start from the base of the hairbrush and work your way upward. 

Step 4: Rinse and Dry

Once you have finished scrubbing the hairbrush, proceed to rinse it under running water to remove excess residues. If possible, try to squeeze the hairbrush to remove any water that traps beneath the cushion base. Let it dry, bristle side down on a clean towel.

Will you try out this step-by-step guide on how to clean a hairbrush? Let us know in the comments. Make sure to follow Beauty Insider on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news updates.