All of us are pretty conscientious when it comes to cleaning our hair. We invest in the best products. Be it shampoos, conditioners, oils, or expensive salon treatments. But is all of this enough to keep our hair healthy and beautiful?
An often overlooked aspect of hair care is clean hairbrushes. It is pretty obvious, but we tend to forget about it. After all, we do use our hairbrushes every single day. If they are not clean and in good condition, then that is impacting our hair health directly. All those treatments and products might as well be money down the drain if we don’t focus on keeping our hairbrushes clean.
Dirty brushes can become a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast due to the amount of oil, hair, and dirt they accumulate over time. This means each time you are brushing your hair after a fresh wash, you are bringing more dirt and germs right into your clean hair! Nobody wants to picture that.
Please keep reading to find out how often you should clean your hairbrushes, the different cleaning techniques that hairbrushes require, some tips and tricks to aid in the process, and when it is time to get a new one. Keeping your bathroom and house clean is great for the objects, like hairbrushes.
How Often Should You Clean Your Hairbrush?
It is recommended that you clean your hairbrush at least once a month, but some experts say otherwise. It’s better to clean them more than once a month, depending on the hair products you use or your hair type.
If you have curly hair and you like them to stay natural and healthy, then cleaning your hairbrush once a month might suffice. But if your hair is oily and prone to build-up, you will need to clean it more regularly. Using oil-based products can also increase oil residue in your hair and subsequently your hairbrush. Moreover, dirty brushes are home to yeast and bacteria and can cause irritation, dandruff, clog hair follicles, and even swelling. You can avoid all these problems if you use clean hairbrushes instead.
Hence, it is essential to pay heed to the products you are using so that you can set up a cleaning regimen accordingly.
How to Clean Your Brushes
Hairbrushes come in a variety of styles. They are composed of different materials, so that each type will require a slightly modified cleaning process. But before we delve into each method, you should remove any hair that may get stuck in the bristles at least once a week. You can make use of scissors, tweezers, bamboo skewers, or a thin comb to do this!
Plastic Brushes
This method works best for plastic brushes. So, make sure you can correctly identify your brush type. You will require the following materials:
- Hot water
- Shampoo
- Baking soda
- Toothbrush
Mix the shampoo, baking soda, and hot water in a large bowl. Let your brushes soak for about 20 minutes to an hour. This procedure lets the shampoo and soda chemicals do their magic and remove all the grime and dirt that may have built up on your brushes over time.
Next, you’ll need a toothbrush to thoroughly scrub the bristles and base of the brush to remove any remaining dirt that the shampoo or soda wasn’t able to remove. Lastly, rinse the brush with clean water and let it air dry.
Metal Brushes
You can use this method for metal as well as plastic brushes. It’s similar to the one described above, using the same starting materials but with a minor adjustment.
Mix shampoo and baking soda in a bowl or cup and dip your toothbrush in the mixture. Make sure it picks up enough cleaning mixture. Scrub the toothbrush on the bristles and base of your hairbrush. You don’t have to scrub with all your might; make sure you rub the brush gently across the surface to avoid damaging the base. If your brush has a soft base, try not to get it too wet as water may seep in and damage it.
Once you’re satisfied with the cleaning, dip your toothbrush in clean water and rinse to remove any soap that might have stayed behind. Leave the brush to air dry with the bristles facing down. You can also use a towel to dry the brush.
Wooden Brushes
Wooden hairbrushes are becoming a favorite among hair care enthusiasts. They’re environmentally friendly as they’re made of bamboo, which is biodegradable. Furthermore, they distribute your hair’s natural oils evenly, giving your hair a shiny look without being too greasy. They are anti-static and massage your scalp, which improves blood circulation and hair growth.
To clean hairbrushes made of natural materials such as wood, you will need to adopt a gentle cleaning routine. This method will clean your brush without damaging the delicate material. You will need the following products:
- Tea tree oil
- Hot water
- Toothbrush
Add hot water to a bowl or cup and mix 5 – 6 drops of tea tree oil. Dip the toothbrush in and gently scrub over the base, bristles, and handles to clean away build-up. Try not to use a lot of water and avoid hard scrubbing as these will damage the wood. Dry the brush with a clean, dry cloth and let it dry with its bristles facing down.
Tips & Tricks
Clean hairbrushes are not impossible to achieve, but following these simple hacks will make your life easier!
- Avoid paddle brushes or hair tools. These have a tendency to trap water under their base which can be a separate task on its own to remove. If the water stays trapped, it can cause mold to build up which will lead to some nasty infections. Either follow manufacturer guidelines for proper cleaning, or just use tweezers to remove excess hair and avoid washing altogether.
- The kinds of products you apply to your hair significantly affect how often you will need to clean hairbrushes. Use more natural products as they don’t cause build-up, which becomes difficult to remove.
- Plastic brushes are sturdy and the easiest to clean. They can withstand water, dry properly afterwards, and are more durable than other materials.
- Use a clarifying shampoo to clean hairbrushes as it is designed to remove oil and residue.
In case you need help cleaning your home, you can book cleaning services online. It’s easy and fast, you should try it!
When it is Time to Replace Your Hairbrush?
It’s time to finally let go of your hairbrush when you find it impossible to remove all the dirt and debris from the bristles. However, if you invest in a high-quality brush, it can last for years. Taking care of the brush is also useful in improving its longevity. Just like you would clean other hair tools, cleaning your hairbrush can not only make it last for longer but also add to your hair’s health and shine.
Paying close attention to the bristles will also give you a fair idea if it’s time to get a new hairbrush. If they appear separated and melted, then you should replace your brush. Looking for help in how to clean your bathroom? We discussed that on a previous post.
The Final Word
Your hairbrush bristles can be home to all kinds of nasty things. Cleaning your hairbrush should be an integral part of your hair care routine, as clean hairbrushes will lead to beautiful, strong, and healthy locks. Be sure to follow the methods explained in this article to keep your hairbrushes germ- and dirt-free and last for as long as possible.
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