To clean a hairbrush, pull out hair, wash the base with soapy water, then rinse and dry bristles-down.
Dirty bristles drag on strands, shift scalp oil back onto hair, and seed flakes right where you do not want them. A quick scrub restores glide and keeps styling predictable. This guide lays out a clear routine for plastic, wood, and mixed-bristle tools, with tweaks for round barrels and paddle designs. You’ll see what to use, how long to soak, what to skip, and how to keep the brush in shape for the long haul.
Cleaning A Hair Brush At Home: Step-By-Step
Grab Simple Supplies
You don’t need a salon setup. A bowl or sink, mild shampoo or dish soap, a spare toothbrush, cotton swabs, a tail comb, small scissors for dense tangles, and a towel handle almost everything. For deeper sanitizing on non-porous parts, keep 70% isopropyl alcohol or a salon disinfectant ready. Wood handles and natural bristles need a lighter touch, so plan short, shallow contact with water.
Remove Trapped Hair First
Use the tail of a comb to lift the matted layer, then snip through knots. Pull the bundle away from the pins. Clearing hair now lets cleanser reach the base, which is where product film hides. For round barrels, roll the brush while you lift, working in small sections so the core doesn’t grab again.
Make A Cleaning Bath
Fill a bowl with warm water. Add a squeeze of shampoo or a drop of dish soap. Swish to make light suds. This mild mix loosens oils, sprays, and dust without stripping finishes. Keep water below near-hot for plastic and rubber pads; high heat can warp or loosen glue.
Wash The Base, Not The Whole Handle
Dip just the bristles and the base. Hold the handle up so it stays dry. Scrub the base with the spare toothbrush in short strokes. Work row by row. For paddle styles with a cushioned pad, keep the soak brief and favor brushing action over dunking. For round metal barrels, let the bristles sit in the bath for two to three minutes while you scrub.
Rinse And Dry The Right Way
Rinse under a gentle stream until suds run clear. Shake once to release trapped water. Set the brush on a towel with bristles facing down. Airflow matters here; a bristles-down rest lets moisture drain from the base so no musty smell builds. Give dense barrels more time than combs.
When To Disinfect
Everyday washing removes residue. Disinfecting targets microbes on non-porous parts after illness or when tools get shared. Wipe plastic and metal with 70% isopropyl alcohol and let them air dry, or use a labeled salon disinfectant mixed and timed per its directions. Avoid long chemical contact with wood and natural bristles.
Brush Types And Safe Cleaning Methods
Different builds need slightly different care. Use this matrix to match tool and method.
| Brush Type | Best Cleaning Method | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic Paddle (Cushion) | Short scrub with sudsy water; quick rinse; bristles-down dry | Long soak that floods the vented pad |
| Round Metal Barrel | 2–3 minute bath; toothbrush between rows; full rinse | Boiling water that warps glue or finish |
| Boar-Bristle On Wood | Damp cloth on base; a few drops of shampoo on bristles; wipe clean | Immersion that swells wood or loosens knots |
| Mixed Nylon/Boar | Light suds and careful scrubbing; brief contact | Harsh solvents on the bristle bundle |
| Vented Detangler | Full suds flush through vents; easy rinse | Heat that bends flexible pins |
| Combs (Hard Plastic) | Soak in soapy water; optional alcohol wipe | Abrasive powders that scratch teeth |
Deep-Clean Moves For Stubborn Gunk
Break Down Spray And Dry Shampoo Film
Sticky film clings near the base. Add a teaspoon of shampoo to the brush head, then scrub with the spare toothbrush. For metal barrels, suds the core and rotate as you scrub. Rinse until water runs clear. If residue lingers, repeat with fresh suds rather than piling on cleanser.
Lift Lint From A Cushioned Pad
Lint packs into tiny holes on paddle pads. Press the pad to flex it, then swipe with cotton swabs. Follow with a quick dip and rinse. Let the pad face down on the towel so trapped drops can exit through the vents.
Deal With Odors
If a musty smell shows up, the base stayed wet too long. Wash again, then spritz the non-porous parts with 70% isopropyl alcohol and let air dry. Leave wood handles out of this step; use a damp cloth only and finish with a dry cloth.
Speed Routine For Busy Mornings
- Pull out shed strands with a tail comb.
- Dip the bristles only in warm, sudsy water for 30–60 seconds.
- Scrub the base with a toothbrush; quick rinse.
- Shake once; set bristles-down on a towel.
This two-minute reset prevents drag and keeps styling smooth even when time is tight.
How Often To Wash A Brush
Frequency depends on hair type, product use, and tool style. Daily dry-shampoo users and heavy spray users need more maintenance than minimalists. Use the schedule below as a starting point, then adjust based on buildup and feel.
| Usage Pattern | Suggested Frequency | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Styling With Sprays | Every 7–10 days | Quick midweek rinse keeps drag away |
| Light Product, Short Hair | Every 2–3 weeks | Pull hair from pins every few days |
| Curl Care With Creams | Every 10–14 days | Use shampoo, not dish soap, on bristles |
| Rare Use Or Travel Brush | Monthly | Store bristles-down after rinsing |
Safety Notes And When Heat Matters
Skip boiling water. High heat can soften glue, bend pins, and crack a finish. Warm water and soap clean well without damage. When you need sanitizing for non-porous parts, rely on alcohol wipes or a labeled salon disinfectant and let the item air dry fully. Wood and natural bundles call for minimal moisture and no harsh chemicals.
What To Do After Illness Or Lice
During cold season or after a shared tool moment, clean and then disinfect non-porous parts. If lice are in the picture, soak combs and non-porous brushes in hot water near 130°F for 5–10 minutes, then dry. Porous items that can’t be safely soaked should be cleaned and set aside or replaced. For step-by-step lice tool care, see the CDC head lice treatment page.
What Not To Use
- Bleach on bristles or pads. It’s harsh, tough to rinse, and can weaken fibers.
- Oven heat, boiling, or a hairdryer on the bristle tips. High temps bend pins and loosen glue.
- Abrasive powders. These scratch plastic teeth and invite more buildup later.
- Long disinfectant soaks on wood or natural bundles. Moisture swells wood and can loosen knots.
Drying, Storage, And Care That Extends Life
Dry Bristles Facing Down
This single habit prevents water from sitting at the base. A face-down rest also keeps dust off the tips. Leave dense barrels overnight; slim combs dry fast.
Store In A Ventilated Spot
A closed drawer traps steam from the bathroom. Pick an open shelf or a caddy with airflow. If the tool rides in a gym bag, let it dry at home before packing it again.
Mind The Finish
Wood gains character over time, but it doesn’t love a soak. Wipe with a damp cloth, then a dry cloth. If rough patches appear, a tiny bit of mineral oil on the handle (not the bristles) keeps the surface neat.
Product Choices That Actually Help
Most of the time, mild shampoo cleans best. Dish soap is handy when styling wax and sprays pile up, but use it sparingly on natural bundles. Isopropyl alcohol works for non-porous parts after illness. Salon disinfectants are designed for combs and tools; follow the label for mix and contact time. If you want specifics on timing for immersion and wipes used by salons, review Barbicide infection control best practices.
Quick Troubleshooting
Bristles Feel Stiff After Cleaning
That means residue stayed behind. Wash again with shampoo, not dish soap, then rinse longer. For mixed bundles, scrub from two angles so suds reach the base.
Brush Smells Sour
Moisture is trapped. Rinse once more, shake out water, and rest bristles down on a clean towel in a breezy spot. Skip hairdryer heat on the bristles.
Pad Squeaks Or Flexes Oddly
Water likely filled the cushion. Let it dry for a full day. Next time, shorten dunk time and rely more on a toothbrush scrub than a soak.
Metal Barrel Feels Rough
Spray film is still stuck between rows. Apply a pea-size drop of shampoo with the toothbrush, rotate, and scrub each channel. Rinse and dry face-down.
Natural Bristles Look Frizzy
They stayed wet too long. Clean with minimal water next time and skip alcohol. A drop of gentle shampoo with a quick wipe is enough for routine care.
When A Replacement Makes Sense
Tools wear out. If pins lean, tips chip, or the pad splits, the brush can scratch the scalp and snag hair. If a wood handle cracks or a metal barrel rusts, retire it. New tools glide better and keep styles tidy with less effort.
A Simple Routine You Can Repeat
Pull shed strands after each session. Give the head a sudsy scrub every week or two. Rinse well and dry bristles down. Disinfect non-porous parts when sharing or after illness. Treat wood and natural bundles gently. This rhythm keeps tools fresh and hair happy.