Buildup on brushes also includes dust mites, dead skin cells and oils. "The buildup on your hairbrush can serve as nidus for bacteria and yeast overgrowth, so there is an infection risk," warns Dr. Shah.
Hair salons and barbershops swear by Barbicide, the blue solution you see combs and brushes soaking in on the counter. The salon staple has been around since the 1940s, and luckily it's available at any beauty supply store.
Not only does hair and product build up on your hairbrush over time, but it also accumulates dead skin cells, dust mites, lint, dust, and the natural oils from your hair. If you use a hairbrush that's covered in hair, product, and other oily gunk, you'll be brushing those oils into your clean hair.
How to clean and disinfect your hair brush and combs
- Remove all hair from brushes.
- Place brushes and combs in dish big enough to hold all our brushes.
- Cover brushes with hot water (not boiling)
- Add 1 tablespoon of dish detergent and 1 tablespoon of vinegar .
- Allow to sit for one hour or over night.
- Rinse each brush under running water to remove dirt build up and soap.
Rub-a-ScrubMix baking soda, apple cider vinegar and warm water in a glass. Stir and let the baking soda react with vinegar. Pour the mixture through wet hair and massage the scalp to get the dirt out. Rinse with lukewarm water for shiny, clean hair.
Clean, good-as-new makeup brushes and sponges are just seven steps away:
- Wet the bristles with lukewarm water.
- Place a drop of your cleanser of choice into the palm of your clean hand.
- Gently massage the tips of the bristles in your palm.
- Rinse the bristles thoroughly.
- Squeeze out the excess moisture with a clean towel.
Round brushes are ideal for creating that volume and body in your hair. This is the brush you want to use when you are blow-drying your hair. Small size brushes create tighter curls, while brushes with larger barrels are known to straighten hair and create subtle waves.
Hair care experts recommend brushing your hair twice a day — morning and night — to help distribute your scalp's natural oils through your hair. It's also important to use a different approach when brushing wet hair versus dry hair.
More blood to the scalp means more nutrients and oxygen to stimulate hair follicles, making them healthier and improving their ability to grow healthy hair. Although brushing hair does not regrow hair, it does boost hair growth.
11 Ways to Get Thicker Hair, According to Hair Care Experts
- Pick a thickening shampoo and conditioner.
- Cut hair at your shoulders or above.
- Use your dry shampoo in a whole new way.
- Invest in high-quality extensions.
- Keep your hair healthy.
- Strategically tease your hair.
- Add volumizing styling products to your regimen.
To avoid unnecessary breakage, use a comb to remove tangles after washing your hair. And remember, always work out tangles starting from your ends. Brush your hair gently from the ends upwards to ease out tangles.
Read on to learn more about the best hair brushes on the market now.
- Best Overall: Harry Josh Pro Tools Detangling Brush.
- Best Budget: Conair Velvet Touch Cushion Brush.
- Best for Fine Hair: Mason Pearson Nylon & Boar Bristle Hair Brush.
- Best for Curly Hair: WetBrush Original Detangler.
During your shower, consider using a wide-toothed comb to work the conditioner through your strands. To minimize damage, Norton suggests using a comb to work out tangles from the bottom, working your way up to the roots. Bottom line: Use a brush only on dry hair and a wide-toothed comb on wet hair.
It IS dust and fibers in the air and product in your hair. It's normal for hair brushes to collect this if they have tighter bristles. The only way to clean it out is with a comb. I also boil my brushes and combs on occasion to keep them fresh.
How to clean hairbrushes withdryer sheets
- Put some warm water in a bowl.
- Add two dryer sheets.
- Put all your brushes and combs into the solution.
- Soak for approximately 2-3 hours.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Pat dry before leaving to air dry.
According to Gurl, "brushing your hair distributes the natural oils that form at the roots," therefore making your strands appear more oily. While regularly brushing your hair is necessary, doing so too often can stimulate oil production, according to Cosmo, which can be a bad thing for those of us with oily hair.
Plastic or Metal hairbrush: Wrap the hairbrush with a clean and dry towel. Wipe the water and let it air-dry overnight. Do not use the brush until it gets completely dry. Wooded hairbrush: If your hairbrush is wooded, dry it overnight only if you live around a dry climate.
Soak the BrushThe warm water and detergent will soften the dirt and debris in the hair bristles. You can also use vinegar and baking soda for cleaning hair brushes and combs. Pour half cup of vinegar in half cup of warm water and soak all your brushes and comb into it for about half an hour.
First, remove any hair from the bristles using a comb to go through the brush. Then submerge the brush in a solution of baking soda and water until the teeth or bristles are covered. Soak for at least 30 to 60 minutes, then rinse well in hot water. The gunk should be gone.
After washing the hairbrush, add a few drops of baby shampoo onto a clean toothbrush and start scrubbing each area of the bristles. It will be great if you add 2 tablespoons of shampoo and 1/4-cup of white vinegar to the bowl filled with warm water. And swish to combine with your hands to cleanse the lint.
As for how often you should replace your brush, it depends on a number of factors—the quality of your brush, how often you use it, and how much product is involved when you do—but the general rule of thumb is six months to one year, says Anthony.
Additionally, hair brushes usually are not accepted at donated facilities for reasons concerning hygiene. Though some veterinarians will accept lightly used hair brushes, the best option for getting rid of an old hair brush is to throw it away in the regular garbage bin.
While these brushes effectively remove debris, with frequent use, your brush can get filled with hair or dirt. Clean your boar bristle hairbrush every week or two.
