An essential part of healthy, beautiful hair is not only washing and styling, but also cleaning hair brushes to keep your hair healthy.

A dirty brush can affect the health of your hair and scalp, leading to breakage, frizziness, and other ailments. Cleaning hair brushes does not take long, but it helps to know how to do it correctly. 

So, to get the job done fast, learn everything you need to know about how and why it is essential to keep your hairbrush clean here.

Why Cleaning Hair Brushes Is Important

Hair brushes get dirty with frequent use due to product residue, dead skin cells, broken hair, and oil. Dust mites can also accumulate on brushes, making them less effective and potentially causing scalp damage.

When you use a dirty brush, the dirt is redeposited into your clean hair. Regularly cleaning your brush will make your hair less frizzy, oily, and tangled.

Another problem is that a dirty hairbrush can harbor bacteria and yeast, which contribute to dandruff and scalp conditions such as infections.

How Often Should You Clean Your Hairbrush?

For most hairbrushes and types, cleaning them once a month is sufficient, but this depends on how often you commit to upkeep.

If you are active, the best thing to do is clean your hair brushes once a week, especially if you use styling products or have oily hair.

The same applies if you have dandruff; cleaning your brushes weekly will remove dead skin flakes and prevent them from being redeposited into your hair after washing it.

You can wash your hairbrush every two weeks and use fewer products for dry hair. We recommend removing loose hair from the brush daily to prevent buildup between deep cleanings.

4 Tips For Cleaning Hair Brushes

Cleaning hair brushes is crucial for maintaining hair and scalp health, and it helps extend the life of styling tools. Here are some tips and steps to ensure your hairbrushes and combs are clean.

1. How to Disinfect Hair Brushes

An effective way to clean hair brushes before washing them is to make a cleansing solution. You can opt for the following, depending on the type of brush you have:

• To soak plastic or synthetic brushes, use a few drops of liquid soap or mild shampoo mixed with warm water in a bowl.
• You can use a mild sulfate-free shampoo mixed with warm water to clean a wooden brush or one made of natural materials. The main difference is that you need a toothbrush to clean between the bristles. Do not let the brush soak in water to prevent damage.

Trick: Add a teaspoon of baking soda for cleaning power if buildup occurs.

2. Remove Hair and Buildup

The next step is to remove the trapped hair from the bristles before placing the brush in the cleaning solution. You can use a pointy object, such as chopsticks, a pen, or fingers, to finish the job.

3. Cleaning The Brush

Once the hair is removed, soak your plastic or synthetic brush in water for 30 minutes to loosen the dirt. Then, remove the brush and use an old toothbrush to clean between the bristles.

Use a small brush or toothbrush dipped in soapy water to scrub between the bristles of your wooden brush.

Do not submerge the brush, as it can cause warping. Adding baking soda helps dissolve oils and eliminate bacterial buildup.

4. Rinse And Leave to Dry

Rinse your brush well under running water to remove any soapy residue. The brush material does not allow water to soak into the base or cushions.

Then, squeeze out the excess water and give it a good shake. To help with drainage, place your brush with the bristles facing up on a towel in a well-ventilated area.

Before using your brush, ensure it is completely dry to prevent the growth of mildew and mold.

How to Clean Hair Brushes by Type: Quick Comparison Table

Different brushes need different care. Here’s a quick chart to guide you based on what type you use.

Brush Type	How to Clean	Soaking Allowed?	Drying Tip

Plastic / Synthetic

Remove hair by hand or with a comb. Soak in warm water + clarifying shampoo for 5–10 minutes. Scrub bristles with a toothbrush. Rinse well.

✅ Yes (5–10 min)

Air-dry bristle-up on a towel.

Boar Bristle

Remove hair. Mix warm water + gentle shampoo. Dip only the bristles; scrub gently with fingers/toothbrush. Rinse quickly.

⚠️ Partial (bristles only)

Dry the bristles overnight.

Round Brush

Use a tail comb to pull out hair. Mix warm water + shampoo or baking soda. Scrub thoroughly around metal barrel.

✅ Yes (short soak)

Stand upright to prevent rust.

Paddle Brush

Clean like a plastic brush, but gently rinse around the padded cushion. Don’t soak the cushion directly.

⚠️ Limited (avoid cushion)

Air-dry bristle-up on a towel.

When To Replace Your Brush

We recommend replacing your hairbrush every six to 12 months.

But it does depend on the brush’s condition and use. If your brush is broken, missing bristles, or bent, it is time to replace it.

The same applies if you are unable to remove the buildup or if it has an unpleasant odor. A damaged brush is ineffective in helping detangle your hair and can lead to scalp irritation over time.

Wrap-Up: Clean Hair Brushes Lead to Healthy Hair Care

As important as it is to visit your salon regularly, it is just as essential to keep your hairbrush clean weekly or monthly. 

A clean hairbrush prevents the buildup of oil, hair, dead skin cells, dirt, and product residue from re-depositing into the hair.

The process is simple: use soap and water, and dry it well after washing. If you notice any damage to the brush or bristles, it’s a good time to have them replaced.

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