Hair brushes become breeding grounds for microbes like bacteria and fungi (yeast) if we do not clean them properly. They transfer grime and germs to your hair, compromising hair and scalp health. This also results in swelling, itching, and dandruff and may lead to folliculitisi XA skin condition caused by bacteria that is characterized by itchy, sore, and inflamed bumps forming around the hair follicles. and seborrheic dermatitis. Also, the hair brush will not be effective in detangling and brushing your hair. The process of brushing might get painful, leading to hair breakage. Now that you know how important it is to clean hair brushes, let us move on to the next section for more details about the process.
How To Clean A Hair Brush
1. Remove The Hair
You stroke the hair sideways or vertically while brushing, which means matted hairi XLoose hair that twists around the attached strands and results in tangled hair that cannot be fixed easily by a brush or comb. or foreign matter will get logged in the brush horizontally. Thus, the most important step is to remove all the hair tangled from the brush or comb. Try to prong out the hair with a toothbrush, toothpick, chopstick, pen, or even the end of a rat-tail comb. A hair pick is best for cleaning wide-spaced, ball-tipped bristles. You may notice that the hair may be knotted within the bristles. Use scissors to cut the hair stuck between the bristles into smaller pieces. This will not only make hair removal easy but also protect the bristles from separating or getting damaged. You can turn the brush bristle side down and use a toothbrush to clean lint, dust particles, and grime. Note: You can use any narrow, sharp-edged item that fits between the bristles of the hair brush.
2. Wash The Brush
You Will Need
A large bowl Warm water Clarifying shampoo or baking soda An old toothbrush, towel, or napkins
Steps
Add shampoo (dime size or approximately 10 ml) to a bowl of warm water. You can also use your sink instead of a bowl. Mix thoroughly to form lukewarm sudsy water. Soak the unclean hair brushes and combs in the warm, soapy water. Depending on the type of hair brush, the soaking duration and cleaning solution will vary. Swish the hair brush around the bowl to remove debris. Scrub between the bristles gently with a toothbrush. You can also massage the bristle tips with your palms. Rinse the bristles thoroughly with warm water. Remove excess moisture by patting it dry with a towel or napkin.
Note: Do not soak the hair brushes for a long time or use harsh detergents as the glue that holds the bristles might melt.
3. Dry The Brush
This is an important step to ensure no moisture is left on the hair brush. A moist and damp environment might cause microbial growth. The hair brush will also smell damp and musty if it is not dry completely. In the case of wooden hair brushes, water also increases the risk of wood rotting. Turn the brush bristle side down on a towel or hang off the edge of the counter. Do not dry hair brushes vertically as it might loosen the bristles. Can we clean all hair brushes in the same way? Probably not! Simple tweaks will help you clean different types of brushes without damaging them. Scroll down to learn more.
How To Clean Different Types Of Hair Brushes
On average, cleaning your hair brushes once a week should suffice. However, this depends on various factors. The next section explains what they are.
How Often Should You Clean Your Hair Brush?
Excessive Hair Breakage: If you have damaged hair or are experiencing excessive hair fall, chances are your hair brush is always filled with hair. Dry and damaged hair tends to get stuck in the brush easily. This is also observed in people with naturally textured or curly hair.
Note: Remove the hair stuck between the bristles after brushing to prevent the brush from collecting more hair.
Overactive Glands: If you have a sweaty or oily scalp, your hair brush will get dirty with gunk, grime, and greasiness frequently. Clean your hair brush at least once a week to get rid of the dirt, dead skin cells, and product residue. Product Buildup: If you use hair styling products, such as styling creams, dry shampoos, gels, hair mousse, or hair sprays, clean your hair brushes and combs every time you wash your hair. This ensures that your clean hair does not get contaminated by the product residues from dirty hair brushes.
Although soap and water are enough to clean your hair brushes, there are other substitutes to keep your hair brushes squeaky clean. Check out the following section.
What Should You Use to Clean Your Hair Tools?
Clarifying Shampoo: This shampoo is specifically formulated to eliminate oily residue and grime from the scalp and will clean hair brushes easily. Liquid Soap: Use castile soap to dissolve the sticky debris from the hair brush. Castile soap is natural and free of chemicals. Baby Shampoo: Baby shampoos are gentle and a great alternative to clean hair tools, such as hair brushes and combs. Baking Soda: Add a tablespoon of baking soda to your shampoo before you clean the hair brushes. It is natural, non-toxic, and an effective home remedy for dirt removal. Disinfectants: Salons and parlors use industrial-strength disinfectants as their hair tools are used extensively. Also, a UV light-based hair brush sanitizing device has been patented recently to get rid of microbes (1).
Are you using your hair brush past its prime? It is recommended to replace your hair brushes every couple of years. We have a checklist to help you know when it is time to buy a new hair brush. Scroll down to know more!
How Do You Know It Is Time To Replace Your Hair Brush?
Check for the following aspects: If you answer yes to any of the above, go ahead and replace your hair brush. Can a dirty hair brush cause hair loss? Dirt buildup on hair brushes can affect hair and scalp health. A dirty hair brush can make your scalp dirty even after a hair wash. If this continues, both your scalp and hair can get damaged. This, in turn, results in hair loss. How often should I replace my wet brush? Frequent use of your wet brush can shorten its lifespan. In general, you should replace your hair brush every six months to one year. Can old brushes cause dandruff? Yes. When you use any old or dirty brush, it not only leads to hair breakage but also makes your scalp itchy and prone to dandruff. Can a dirty hair brush cause greasy hair? If you don’t clean your hairbrush regularly, the excess oil, dirt, and product buildup stick to your hair. Using the same unclean brush often can turn your hair greasy. Does brushing hair make it oilier? Brushing your hair distributes natural oils from your hair roots and makes it oily.
