Even if you have one of the best hair brushes, knowing how to clean a hairbrush is very important for maintaining healthy hair.
You may not have thought about it before, but your hairbrush gets dirty pretty quickly. When you brush your hair they soak up the oil, dirt, dust, and excess product. When you use an unclean hairbrush or comb, all that dirt, oil, and gunk can get back into your hair. This can be worse with hair brushes for thick hair too.
Not cleaning your hairbrush can lead to germs and bacteria being passed onto your hair and scalp, and this can leave your hair looking not only greasy but also limp and lifeless. Hair stuck in the bristles can also damage the hair on the scalp, by pulling out more clumps and causing hair thinning, (you then have to get a whole different brush for thin hair to help prevent more damage).
To keep your hair and your hairbrush at their best, cleaning your brush regularly is essential.
How to clean a hairbrush:
1 - With your fingers and then with a comb, remove all of the hair from the brush.
2 - Put to soak in a sink of hot (not boiling) water, one tablespoon of washing-up liquid and one tablespoon of white vinegar.
3 - Allow to sit for at least an hour. You'll see the water change colour as all the grease and grime comes out of the brush.
4 - Rinse with water and leave to air dry. You can also use this cleaning method for combs and hair clips – although avoid soaking a brush with a wooden handle as this could damage it, instead fill a bowl with warm water and gently swirl the brush head in the water. Add a few drops of shampoo to the brush head and carefully agitate with your fingers.
Tips for cleaning your hairbrush
• If you have long hair, scissors may make it easier to remove loose strands from your brush.
• You can use a toothbrush on combs and plastic clips to give them a good scrub, but avoid on bristled hairbrushes as it could damage them.
• A cotton swab can help get into any little grooves where grime can build up.
• Soaking in a solution of baking soda and water for an hour will also help remove grime.
• For an extra deep clean, use a sanitising spray after soaking – either make your own with 50/50 rubbing alcohol and water, or you can buy beauty tool cleansing sprays.
How often should you clean your hairbrush?
If you regularly use styling creams, gels, or hairspray, a good rule of thumb is to clean your hairbrush once a week. If you don't use much product in your hair, try to make a habit of cleaning your brush every two to three weeks.
Always remove loose hair from your brush before using, either with your fingers or with a comb. Tapping it on the back over a bin will remove smaller bits you can't reach.
When should you replace your hairbrush?
How often you should replace your hairbrush can vary depending on the type of brush and how you care for it, but a general rule of thumb is about every six months. Make sure you're using the right hairbrush for your hair type so they last better.
Inspect your brush when you clean it and look out for bristles that are bent, broken, missing, separating, or melted, and check the bed for cracks. Finding any of these things means it’s time for a new brush. Bristles that are bent or broken can damage your hair or even snag on strands and rip them out.
Stephanie Anthony is the Deputy Digital Editor of Yours.co.uk. Having worked across a variety of topics, from travel and food to pharmaceuticals, she also has a particular interest in mental health and wellness. She has a house full of pets with two dogs and two cats.