Clean Hairbrushes and Combs: a Complete Guide (2024)

This site is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through links.

Ready to take control of your haircare routine? Learn how to clean hairbrushes and combs effectively with our complete guide.

Say goodbye to dirty brushes and hello to a healthier scalp and luscious locks. Discover the best techniques for cleaning:

• Synthetic bristles
• Natural bristle brushes
• Wooden handles
• Synthetic combs
• And even removing lint from your tools.

Don’t let bacteria or buildup ruin your hair game – follow our expert tips for maintaining clean and hygienic hairbrushes and combs today!

How Often to Clean a Hairbrush or Comb

Clean your hairbrush or comb regularly to maintain hygiene and ensure optimal performance.

However, if you use heavy products like petroleum-based styling gels or oils, it may be necessary to clean them more frequently – perhaps every other week or even daily.

If you notice visible buildup on your brush or comb, that’s a clear sign that it needs cleaning sooner rather than later. In this case, aim for at least a bi-weekly cleaning schedule to prevent excessive residue from accumulating.

Remember that regular maintenance after each use is also crucial for keeping brushes and combs clean between deeper cleanses. By removing any trapped hairs immediately after styling sessions with these tools can help minimize dirt accumulation over time.

Overall, finding the right balance between cleanliness and convenience will depend on individual factors such as personal preferences regarding hygiene levels and usage habits.

How to Clean Hairbrushes With Synthetic Bristles and Handles

To clean hairbrushes with synthetic bristles and handles, start by removing any excess hair from the brush.

Then, fill a sink or basin with warm water and add a few drops of mild shampoo or dish soap.

Swirl the brush around in the soapy water for about 30 seconds to loosen dirt and oils.

Rinse thoroughly under running water, making sure to remove all traces of soap.

Finally, pat dry with a towel or leave it out to air dry completely before using again.

Washing the Brush

To properly clean your hairbrush with synthetic bristles and handles, begin by washing the brush to remove any dirt or buildup that may have accumulated.

Use hot water and dish soap or shampoo to thoroughly cleanse the brush.

Soaking the Brush

To properly clean your hairbrush with synthetic bristles and handles, continue by:

• Soaking the brush in a solution of warm water and shampoo.
• Let it soak for about 15-30 minutes to loosen any gunk or dirt.
• Avoid using hot water as it can damage the brush.

Scrubbing With Baking Soda

Start scrubbing your hairbrush with baking soda to effectively clean synthetic bristles and handles.

The grittiness of baking soda helps remove dirt and buildup, while its hardness provides gentle scrubbing action.

Its cleaning power eliminates odor and its abrasiveness ensures a thorough clean.

Rinsing Thoroughly

After scrubbing the hairbrush with baking soda, thoroughly rinse it using lukewarm water to remove any remaining residue.

Dry brushes on a towel and don’t store them in the bathroom to prevent bacterial growth.

Sanitizing the Hairbrush

Why then should you sanitize your synthetic hairbrush after washing and rinsing?

Use rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or your dishwasher’s sanitize cycle to kill germs.

How to Clean Natural Bristle Hairbrushes

When cleaning natural bristle hairbrushes, you’ll need to focus on:

• Washing the bristles.
• Cleaning the wooden brush handle (if applicable).
• Thoroughly rinsing the brush.
• Considering sanitizing the brush (as an optional step).

These materials require a gentle touch to avoid damage during cleaning. Be sure to let the brush air dry completely before using it again.

Washing the Bristles

When cleaning your natural bristle brush, you’ll want to start by working some shampoo into the bristles to break up and wash away any oil and product buildup.

• Use shampoo
• Use vinegar
• Use baking soda

Cleaning the Wooden Brush Handle

You’ll want to:

• Wipe the wooden handle with a soft cloth dampened with a small amount of dish soap to clean residue without damaging the wood.
• Use vinegar or baking soda to sanitize the handle.
• Avoid using water, as it can warp the wood over time.
• Make sure to wipe it completely dry before storing your brush.

Rinsing the Brush

After washing the bristles and cleaning the wooden brush handle, rinse your natural bristle hairbrush thoroughly with:

• Cold water
• Conditioner or vinegar to remove soap residue
• Running water for 2-3 minutes until water runs clear

This ensures no dirt or cleaning solution remains on the brush before drying.

Sanitizing the Brush (Optional)

You’d optionally sanitize the natural bristle hairbrush by letting it soak in rubbing alcohol for a couple minutes after thoroughly rinsing it to kill germs.

Use 70% isopropyl alcohol and fully immerse the brush for 2-3 minutes. This disinfects the brush, preventing buildup and spread of dandruff or hair product residue when multiple people share brushes at home or the salon.

How to Clean a Synthetic Comb

When cleaning a synthetic comb, you’ll want to focus on scrubbing and sanitizing.

• Use an old toothbrush and dish soap to gently scrub at the teeth to remove any built up residue.
• Then soak your comb in rubbing alcohol or a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water to kill bacteria.

Scrubbing Your Comb

To clean a synthetic comb, start by scrubbing the comb with warm soapy water and an old toothbrush. This helps remove any buildup of oils, dirt, and debris caught between the teeth.

• Dip comb in a bowl with 2 parts warm water, 1 part white vinegar. Scrub with toothbrush.
• Make a paste of baking soda and water. Gently scrub comb with paste.
• Rinse comb thoroughly until water runs clear.
• Allow comb to air dry completely before use.

Sanitizing Your Comb

Prior to storing your comb, sanitize it by:

• Soaking the comb in rubbing alcohol for a couple of minutes.
• Using vinegar as a natural sanitizing agent.
• Boiling water and immersing the comb for about 5-10 minutes to disinfect it thoroughly.
• Baking soda mixed with warm water can also be used as a cleaning solution for combs.
• Hydrogen peroxide is another option that effectively kills bacteria and fungus on combs when soaked for several minutes before rinsing off.

How to Clean a Wooden Comb

When cleaning a wooden comb, you’ll want to:

• Wipe it dry after rinsing to prevent warping.
• Sanitize it by spraying with rubbing alcohol and allowing it to fully dry.

Taking these extra steps keeps your wooden comb looking its best for longer.

Wiping It Dry

After sanitizing the wooden comb, pat it dry with a clean towel to remove excess moisture.

Avoid heat and harsh chemicals that can damage the wood.

Let it air dry completely before storing.

Store the comb with its bristles down to prevent any bending or misshaping of the teeth.

It’s recommended to replace your wooden comb every 6 months for optimal hygiene and functionality.

Sanitizing, if Needed

A Complete Guide’:

Why might you need to sanitize your wooden comb after wiping it dry?

If the comb has been used by multiple people or on unclean hair, sanitizing ensures full disinfection.

Mix a solution of one teaspoon bleach per quart of water.

Submerge the comb for 10-20 minutes.

Rinse thoroughly afterwards. This kills bacteria and prevents the transfer of germs or parasites to your scalp.

However, take care not to over-sanitize, as this can damage the wood over time.

Doing this monthly provides adequate comb hygiene.

How to Remove Lint From a Hairbrush

To remove lint from a hairbrush, you can use a toothbrush or another small brush with firm bristles.

Start by gently brushing the bristles of your hairbrush in the opposite direction to loosen and lift any trapped lint.

Once most of the lint has been removed, give your brush another rinse under lukewarm water to ensure it’s clean and ready for use.

Using a Toothbrush

You can use an old toothbrush to scrub the bristles and remove any lint or residue from your hairbrush.

Dip the toothbrush in a cleaning solution of warm water, baby shampoo, and baking soda.

Gently scrub the bristles, cushion, and handle of the brush. The abrasiveness loosens debris while the baking soda deodorizes.

Rinse thoroughly afterwards.

Alternatively, create a paste with baking soda and vinegar. Apply it to the bristle area using the toothbrush. Let it sit briefly before scrubbing. Rinse completely. Repeat if needed. Both methods freshen up hairbrushes.

Giving the Brush Another Rinse

One should rinse the brush again after scrubbing to ensure all lint and residue is removed before letting it dry.

• Make sure all visible lint is gone from the bristles and handle
• Use cool water to rinse out any detergent or soap
• Gently wipe the brush with a towel to remove excess moisture and accelerate drying

Be sure to avoid using hot water when cleaning brushes. Dry the brush completely and store brushes in a cool place to maintain bristle shape.

Why Does Your Hairbrush Get Dusty?

Dust accumulation happens because your hairbrush sits out collecting bits of dirt and dead skin cells shed daily. Dust mites, skin cells, dandruff, bacteria, and chemicals from hair products stick to the bristles and handle of your brush.

Source of Dust	Description
Dust mites	Microscopic bugs that feed on dead skin cells and hair. Can cause allergic reactions.
Dandruff	Flakes of dead skin that cling to oily surfaces.
Hair products	Chemical ingredients leave residue on brushes.
Skin cells	Humans shed 30,000-40,000 dead skin cells daily.
Bacteria	Microorganisms that grow in dirty environments.

Keeping brushes clean means removing all that unwanted matter regularly. Allowing it to accumulate risks reapplying dirt, oil and microbes back onto clean hair.

Why is It Important to Clean Your Hairbrush?

Regularly cleaning your hairbrush is important because it helps to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of your hair, ensuring that you’re not reintroducing dirt, oils, or product buildup back into your freshly washed locks.

When you fail to clean your brushes, product residue, dead skin cells, dirt, and excess oil can accumulate over time. Using a dirty brush prevents build-up from being removed from your hair and scalp, distributes oils unevenly, and prevents damage from harsh cleaners or heat tools.

Additionally, regularly cleaning your brushes promotes hair growth, prevents dandruff, and allows for proper product application into each strand. Maintaining clean brushes optimizes scalp health and keeps locks clean, which positively impacts hair’s strength, smoothness, and manageability over time.

Committing to quick, weekly brush cleaning is a simple way to boost shine and volume while preventing breakage.

How to Clean Different Hairbrushes and Combs?

Now let’s discuss how to clean different types of hairbrushes and combs.

Flat brushes can be cleaned using the same steps as round brushes, with an additional step of using a rattail comb to remove hair from the bristles.

For combs, start by removing all visible hair before:

• Soaking them in warm soapy water for a few minutes.
• Scrubbing them with an old toothbrush or one designated for your hair.

Comb

You can clean your comb by removing any hair or debris, then washing it with warm, soapy water using an old toothbrush.

Paddle Brush

You’d be cleaning your paddle brush the same way by following the synthetic bristle cleaning steps outlined above.

Bristle Type	Cleaning Frequency	Cleaning Method
Synthetic	Every 2 weeks	Soak in warm water & shampoo for 30 mins. Scrub with toothbrush.
Boar Bristle	Monthly	Same as synthetic. Be gentle when scrubbing.
Metal Pins	Monthly	Use rubbing alcohol to disinfect.

Boar Bristle Hair Brush

Proper maintenance of your natural bristle brush demands a delicate approach to preserve the integrity of the bristles.

The boar bristle brush provides scalp stimulation and hair detangling benefits.

Gently wash the bristles in warm water with a small amount of shampoo to remove oils and buildup.

Rinse thoroughly, reshape the bristles, and allow to fully air dry before storing upright to retain the brush’s functionality.

How to Clean Lice Comb?

To clean a lice comb, first remove any visible nits or lice.

Then, soak the comb in rubbing alcohol for at least one hour to kill any remaining eggs or lice.

Use an old toothbrush and rubbing alcohol to scrub the teeth of the comb thoroughly.

Rinse with clean water afterwards.

To sanitize, soak the lice comb in a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and very hot water for 15-20 minutes after scrubbing.

This will remove any leftover gunk and disinfect.

Allow to air dry completely before using again.

Plastic combs can also be put through a hot cycle in the dishwasher after hand washing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)