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Hair Brush Cleaning 101: How to Deep Clean your Hair Brush

6 Min Read
Hair Brush Cleaning 101: How to Deep Clean your Hair Brush - TELETIES

How to Clean a Hair Brush: Step-by-Step Guide for Cleaner, Healthier Hair

When was the last time you washed your hairbrush?

Products, hair oils, and dandruff can build up on your favorite hairbrushes over time, so it’s important to know how to clean hair brushes effectively.

But how do you wash a hair brush? TELETIES Hair Brushes come with a built-in removable cleaning pick at the bottom of the brush handle, allowing for easy cleaning and regular maintenance. 

But sometimes, your brush needs a deeper clean, so here’s our step-by-step guide on how to clean a hair brush at home! 

The Quick & Easiest Way to Clean a Hair Brush

Sitting there thinking, “Hmmm. How to clean my hair brush?” Here’s how to clean a hair brush quickly and easily in just a few minutes.

Step 1: Remove All Hair From the Brush

When it comes to how to deep clean hair brushes, start by removing any hair trapped in the bristles. You can use your fingers or a fine-toothed comb to do this.

If some hairs are tightly knotted and difficult to remove, try cutting them with scissors first.

Step 2: Mix a Gentle Cleaning Solution

This is the most important step in hair brush cleaning! Create a gentle cleansing solution for your hair brush in your bathroom sink or a large bowl by filling it with warm water, then mixing in a few drops of dish soap and shampoo.

Step 3: Wash the Hair Brush Bristles

How do you clean a hair brush once you have your cleaning solution?

Start by slowly dipping your brush’s bristles into the cleaning mixture. Once the bristles are coated, use an old toothbrush — or just your fingers — to gently scrub in between them.

Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly

Once you’ve given your brush a good scrub, rinse the bristles under clean running water until all of the soap is gone.

Step 5: Dry Your Brush Properly

To dry your brush, lay out paper towels and place the brush on top. Make sure to place the brush bristle side down to help it dry thoroughly.

Cleaning Different Types of Hair brushes

If you’re looking for the best way to clean hair brushes, it’s a good idea to consider the type of brush you need to clean. Here are our top tips for how to clean brushes based on their material.

Boar Bristle & Natural Bristle Brushes

Wondering how to clean boar bristle hair brushes? Follow these simple steps.

Step 1: Prepare Mild Shampoo Water

The best way to clean a hair brush with natural bristles is to mix warm water with a small amount of your favorite gentle shampoo.

Step 2: Dip Only the Bristles

When cleaning boar-bristle or natural-bristle brushes, keep the base of the brush dry. Gently dip the bristles of the brush into the cleaning mixture, without getting the rest of the brush wet.

Step 3: Gently Scrub

Since these hair brushes are more delicate than other brushes, it’s important to scrub them gently. Use your fingers or a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently remove oil and product residue from the brush.

Step 4: Lightly Rinse

Lightly rinse the brush with clean water. Just be careful not to soak the brush.

Step 5: Pat Dry and Air Dry

It’s drying time! To dry a boar or natural-bristle brush, gently pat the bristles dry with a towel. Then, leave it to air-dry completely before using the brush again.

Detangler Brushes, Wet Brushes, Vented Hair Brushes

A detangler hair brush or wet brush is our go-to for hair-washing days. Vented hair brushes are perfect for quick, smooth styling. 

Finding yourself thinking, “How can I clean my hair brush made for wet hair?” Well, here are our top tips for how to clean a wet brush.

Step 1: Remove All Hair From the Bristles

If you have a detangler, wet hair brush, or vented brush that’s due for a clean, start by pulling out any hair from between the bristles.

Step 2: Soak the Brush Head

How do you clean hair brush heads designed for wet hair? Mix warm water and a gentle soap solution, then leave the brush head to soak for five to ten minutes. 

This works great on your vented brush as well. 

Step 3: Scrub Between Bristles

Detangler, wet brushes, and vented brushes are normally quite strong, so you don’t need to be as gentle when scrubbing. You can use an old toothbrush to clean between the flexible bristles.

Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly

Rinse the brush under warm running water. Do this until all the soap is gone and the water runs clear.

Step 5: Air Dry Face Down

To dry the detangling brush, leave it lying bristle side down. This will help drain any remaining water.

Pat your vented brush dry, to remove excess water before laying it bristle side down to dry completely. 

How to Clean a Wooden Hair Brush

How do you clean a wooden hair brush? Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be good to go!

Step 1: Avoid Soaking the Brush

When cleaning hair brushes made of wood, avoid getting the handle or body of the brush wet. This can cause the brush to swell or warp over time.

Avoid soaking the entire brush and just focus on cleaning the bristles.

Step 2: Scrub the Bristles With a Damp Tool

You can start by dipping a cloth or soft toothbrush into a soapy water mixture. Then gently scrub the bristles and the base of the brush.

Step 3: Wipe the Brush Clean

After you’ve finished scrubbing, use a damp cloth to carefully wipe away any leftover soap or debris on the brush.

Step 4: Dry the Brush Immediately

You should pat the brush dry with a towel immediately after washing. Then lay the brush with the bristles facing down and leave it to dry completely.

How to Deep Clean Hair Brushes With Vinegar & Baking Soda

Wondering how to clean hair brushes with vinegar and baking soda? You’re in the right place.

Step 1: Prepare the solution

Mix one cup of warm water, 1 tbsp of baking soda, and 1-2 tbsp of white vinegar. This will be your cleaning solution.

Step 2: Soak the Bristles

Soak the bristles of your brush in the solution for around five to ten minutes.

Step 3: Lightly Scrub

After soaking, you can easily remove any loose residue from the brush with an old toothbrush.

Step 4: Rinse and Dry

Finish by rinsing the brush well and laying it out to dry with the bristles facing down.

How to Sanitize and Disinfect Hair Brushes with Alcohol Solution

Looking for tips on how to disinfect hair brushes? Or wondering how to sterilize hair brushes effectively? Follow these simple steps to learn how to wash a hair brush with an alcohol solution.

Step 1: Apply Alcohol Solution

Begin by spraying the bristles of your brush with a mixture of water and 70% rubbing alcohol.

Step 2: Let it Sit

Leave the solution to sit on the brush for approximately five to ten minutes.

Step 3: Wipe and Air Dry

You should be able to easily wipe away any residue. Once you’ve done this, leave the brush to fully air dry.

And that’s it! Now you know how to sanitize hair brushes like a pro.

Why is it Important to Clean Your Hair Brush?

So, now you’ve learned our easy cleaning hair brush tips. But why is it so important to clean your hair brushes?

Cleaning hair brushes helps prevent lint, dandruff flakes, and product residue from building up in the bristles of the brush. If you don’t remove this buildup, it can easily transfer to freshly washed hair and can affect the lifespan of your brush. And nobody wants that!

Now you know how to clean hair brushes, why not pair that squeaky-clean feeling with some fun, stylish hair accessories? Explore the TELETIES hair accessory collection today.

How to Clean a Hair Brush FAQs

Why does my hair brush get white stuff on it?

Finding dandruff in your hair brush? White stuff on a hairbrush is usually a result of product buildup over time. The best way to address this is to clean your brush regularly.

Why is there gray and white fuzz on my hair brush?

Lint in hair brushes — which looks like gray and white fuzz — is likely to be a combination of product buildup and hair oils.

How do I stop my brush from collecting so much buildup?

Clean your hair brush regularly to avoid product buildup over time. You can wash hair brush bristles with a mixture of warm water and mild soap.

Can I use Dawn dish soap to clean my hair brush?

Yes, dish soap is the best way to wash hair brushes. Just be sure to let your brush dry afterward to prevent mold on your hair brush.

How often should I clean my hairbrush?

If you’re wondering how to properly clean hairbrushes and how often you should clean them, aim for a deep clean at least once a month. You should also try to remove loose hair weekly, if possible.