How to Clean a Hairbrush (and Why It's Important)

Woman cleans pulls hair out of a wooden hairbrush — You probably remove hair from your hairbrush, but that's not enough to protect your clean hair from remnant oils on the brush (especially if you have fine hair). Aleksandr Zubkov / Getty Images

Learning how to clean a hairbrush might seem like a trivial task, but it's a crucial step toward maintaining your hair's health and shine.

Think about it: Every day, you brush your hair, a simple act of grooming, yet your hairbrush is silently collecting a cocktail of dead skin cells, product residue and dust.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Clean Your Hairbrush

When it comes to cleaning your hairbrush and removing all the hair trapped within the bristles, your approach might differ depending on the kind of brush you use. But mostly, you'll follow the same steps whether you use natural bristle brushes or a plastic brush.

Gather Your Supplies

The cleaning process doesn't require too many tools. Gather:

Two brushes: You'll need the brush you're cleaning and a helper brush, like a clean toothbrush.
Pointy-ended comb: Choose a pointy-ended comb (like a rat tail comb) to help remove excess hair trapped in your brush.
A cleaning liquid: You can use a gentle shampoo, body wash or dish soap. For a wood or boar bristle brush, choose a sulfate-free shampoo.
A bowl: Whether you're cleaning a round brush or paddle hair brush, pick a large enough bowl.
Warm water: You can let your comb or synthetic brush soak in warm water.
Clean towel: You'll need a clean towel at the end of the process.
Scissors (optional): Scissors can help you remove hair.

Remove Hair From Your Brush

Before you do a thorough cleaning, remove as much hair as possible from the brush bristles. Use the pointy end of a comb to loosen and lift the hair. For stubborn strands, you can use scissors.

5 Deep Cleaning Steps

Prepare the cleaning solution. Mix warm water with a few drops of gentle shampoo or dish soap in a large bowl. For natural bristles and wooden handles, avoid hot water to prevent damage.
Start a brush soak. If you have synthetic brushes, let them soak in the soapy water for a few minutes. For brushes with wooden handles or natural boar bristles, only the bristles should touch the water, and only briefly.
Perform a gentle scrub. Use your helper brush or toothbrush to gently scrub the bristles. Pay special attention to the base of the bristles, where oil and product residue accumulate.
Rinse thoroughly. Rinse under lukewarm water, ensuring you wash away all soap.
Dry properly. Shake off excess water and lay the brush bristle-side down on a clean towel. Allow it to air dry completely.

Another option is to use baking soda for stubborn residue. Mix with water and cover the bristles for 30 to 60 minutes.

Special Case: The Lice Scenario

If you suspect your brush has been exposed to head lice, follow these additional steps.

Remove hair. As before, clear all hair from the brush.
Disinfect. Soak the brush in rubbing alcohol or a lice-killing medicated shampoo.
Rinse and dry. Rinse thoroughly and let it air dry.

When to Clean Your Hairbrush

How often should you clean your hairbrush? It depends on your usage and hair type. A good rule of thumb is to clean your hairbrush once a week. However, if you use lots of styling products, have long hair or have a scalp condition, you might want to clean it more frequently.

5 Tips for Maintaining Your Hairbrush

A well-maintained hairbrush not only keeps your hair clean but also ensures its longevity. Regular cleaning is vital, but there's more to hairbrush care.

Assess crush type. Different brushes require different care. Paddle brushes, plastic brushes and synthetic bristles can handle more water, while wooden brushes and natural or combination bristles need a gentler approach.
Avoid excess water. For brushes with wooden handles or natural bristles, avoid submerging in water to prevent damage.
Remove lint and residue. Use a toothbrush to gently remove lint and residue from the base of the bristles.
Air dry completely. Always let your brush dry completely before using it again to prevent lingering moisture and bacteria growth.
Replace when needed. Over time, bristles wear out, and the brush loses its effectiveness. If you notice bent bristles, a worn-out pad or it just doesn't feel right, it might be time for a new brush.

The Dirty Truth About Your Hairbrush

Your hairbrush is more than a styling tool. It's a magnet for dead skin cells, natural oils and remnants of hair products. This buildup doesn't just affect the brush; it can transfer back onto your hair and scalp, potentially hampering scalp health.

Ever noticed your hair lacking that shine, even after a fresh wash? Your dirty brush might be the culprit.

Another thing that can help is ensuring you don't let anyone else use your hairbrush. Sharing is caring, but not when it comes to hairbrushes. Communal brushes can become breeding grounds for head lice and bacteria. A clean brush is a line of defense against these pesky invaders.

We updated in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.