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Hair care products like leave-in conditioners, gels, or hairsprays can build up on your hair and stick to the bristles of your brush. Your brush also contains dead skin cells and sebum which can transfer back to your hair every time you use your brush. Also, hair sheds every day. So you’ll love to deep clean hair brushes by the end of these tricks
❤️ Why You’ll Love to Deep Clean Hair Brushes
Cleaning your hairbrushes regularly offers several benefits that can enhance your hair care routine and overall hygiene. Here are some reasons why you’ll love cleaning your hairbrushes:
Regularly cleaning your hairbrush removes accumulated hair, oils, and product residues that can transfer back to your hair and scalp, leading to build-up and potential scalp issues.
A clean hairbrush helps prevent the spread of dandruff and reduces scalp itchiness caused by accumulated debris and bacteria.
Watch more about how to deep clean your hair brushes on my Instagram!
🧽 Deep Clean Hair Brushes: Materials
Fill a bowl or sink with warm water. Add a few drops of mild shampoo or liquid soap to the water. For extra cleaning power, you can add a tablespoon of baking soda.
🧼 Deep Clean Hair Brushes: How to Do
Don’t forget to soak the brushes and combs! Soaking them for at least 20 minutes (or more, if you have the time…sometimes I soak overnight!) releases the product build-up. This will make it easier to remove!
Watch me deep clean my hair brushes on Instagram!
🪄 Tips and Tricks
For stubborn stuck-on hair, use scissors to cut and pull the hair off the brush and/or comb!
🗒 Variations
Wooden Brushes: If your brush has a wooden handle, avoid soaking it in water for long periods to prevent the wood from swelling or cracking. Instead, dip the bristles in the soapy water and scrub without fully submerging the handle.
Boar Bristle Brushes: These may need extra care. Use a small amount of conditioner on the bristles during the cleaning process to keep them soft and pliable.
Vent Brushes: Pay attention to the spaces between the vents, as they can accumulate a lot of debris. Use the toothbrush to get into these tight areas.
🗒 Substitutions
You can also soak your hair brushes in Castile soap. It’s important to dilute the soap properly to ensure effective cleaning without wasting soap. Here’s how you can dilute Castile soap for soaking hair brushes:
Water: 1 quart (4 cups or about 1 liter) of warm water
Castile Soap: 1-2 tablespoons of liquid Castile soap
🫙 How to Store
Storing your hair brushes properly is important to maintain their condition and hygiene. Here are some tips on how to store your hair brushes effectively:
Clean and Dry:
- Always make sure your hair brushes are clean and completely dry before storing them. Moisture can lead to mold and bacteria growth, while dirt and oils can attract dust.
Designated Storage Area:
- Drawer or Cabinet: Store hair brushes in a designated drawer or cabinet in your bathroom or bedroom to keep them dust-free and organized.
- Storage Container: Use a container, such as a plastic bin, a basket, or a drawer organizer, to keep your brushes neatly stored and separated from other items.
Brush Holders:
- Vertical Holders: Use a brush holder or stand that allows you to store brushes vertically with the bristles facing up. This prevents damage to the bristles and keeps the handles dry.
- Wall-Mounted Holders: Consider using wall-mounted holders or hooks to save space and keep brushes easily accessible.
Protective Covers:
- Use protective covers or caps for your hair brushes to shield the bristles from dust and damage. This is especially useful for travel or if you store your brushes in an open area.
Avoid Overcrowding:
- Store brushes in a way that prevents them from being squished or deformed. Avoid overcrowding the storage space to maintain the shape and integrity of the bristles.
Separate by Use:
- If you have multiple hair brushes for different purposes (e.g., detangling, styling, blow-drying), consider organizing them separately to make it easier to find the right brush when needed.
🤔 Common Questions
Deep cleaning hair brushes removes hair, dirt, oils, product buildup, and bacteria, which can all affect the cleanliness of your hair and scalp. Regular cleaning helps maintain the brush’s performance, prolongs its lifespan, and ensures better overall hair health.
It’s recommended to deep clean your hair brushes at least once a month. However, if you use a lot of hair products or have long or thick hair, you may need to clean them more frequently, such as every two weeks.
Shake off excess water and blot the brushes with a towel. Lay them bristle-side down on a dry towel to air dry completely. Avoid using a hairdryer as the heat can damage the bristles and handle.
Deep Clean Hair Brushes
Ingredients
- Castile soap, liquid or bar
- A bowl or sink
- Warm water
- A comb or scissors
- A toothbrush or small brush
- A towel
Instructions
Remove Hair from the Brush:
- Use a comb or your fingers to pull out as much hair as possible from the brush. For stubborn hair, use scissors to cut through and remove it.
Prepare the Cleaning Solution:
- Fill a bowl or sink with warm water.
- Add a few squirts of liquid Castile soap to the water. If you are using a bar of Castile soap, you can grate a small amount into the water and stir until it dissolves.
Soak the Brushes:
- Submerge the hair brushes in the soapy water. Let them soak for about 10-15 minutes. This will help to loosen dirt, oils, and product build-up.
Scrub the Brushes:
- After soaking, use a toothbrush or a small brush to scrub the base and bristles of the hair brushes. Pay special attention to areas with heavy build-up.
- If the brush has a cushioned base, avoid fully submerging it to prevent water from getting trapped inside.
Rinse Thoroughly:
- Rinse the hair brushes under running water to remove all soap and residue. Make sure to rinse until the water runs clear and there are no soap suds left.
Dry the Brushes:
- Shake off excess water from the brushes.
- Use a towel to blot them and remove as much water as possible.
- Lay the brushes bristle-side down on a dry towel and allow them to air dry completely. This might take a few hours to overnight, depending on the brush type.
This worked exactly as written, thanks!