As beauty tools go, your hairbrush gets really gross, really fast. Humans lose an average of 50 to 100 hairs per day, many of which get stuck in your brush with a buildup of hair care products, dead skin cells, and dust (an environment conducive to bacterial and fungal growth). If you don’t keep your brush clean, this dirt can end up in your hair, not only making it dirty and increasing the risk of tangling and damage, but can also exacerbate scalp problems like dandruff or dermatitis. seborrheic.
If your brush looks like it needs cleaning, it certainly do. You should remove hair from your brush as it builds up (every day or so) and do a deep clean once a week if you use styling products, like gel or hairspray ( or every two to three weeks if you don’t). .
How to clean your hairbrush
First things first: remove the bristles from your brush bristles. Start by using your fingers, but if there are any clumps that get stuck, you can dig them out with a sharp object such as a chopstick, toothpick or the end of a pointed comb or cut them off with scissors. Again, do this regularly to avoid any buildup.
Next, you need to wash the brush:
- Fill a clogged sink, trash can, or bowl with warm, soapy water. You can use dish soap or a mild shampoo to wash synthetic brushes (plastic and rubber), but if your brush is natural (wood or boar bristle), opt for a sulfate-free shampoo. You can also add one to two teaspoons of baking soda.
- Soak your synthetic brush, including bristles, for 10 minutes. For natural brushes and cushioned brushes, dip the bristles in water but do not submerge them. This softens any rough bits to make them easier to remove.
- Remove the brush, shake it out, and re-dip it if there is a lot of buildup remaining.
- Use your fingers to remove any dirt from the individual bristles.
- Use a clean, spare toothbrush dipped in soapy water to scrub around the base and over the bristles. Rub anywhere there is buildup.
- Rinse your brush under cold running water, wring out or shake off any excess, and place it face down to dry.
Cleaning your hairbrush regularly will prolong its life, but there will come a time when it is best to replace it, such as when bristles are broken, bent or missing as well as cracks. Inspect your brush regularly.