For combs and brushes, remove hair, soak in warm soapy water, scrub, rinse, and dry bristles-down to prevent trapped moisture.
Clean tools glide better, last longer, and keep buildup off your scalp. This guide shows clear steps for every common tool—plastic combs, cushioned paddles, round barrels, boar bristles, and wooden handles—plus safe disinfecting after illness or lice, drying tips, and a quick schedule you can stick to.
Cleaning Combs And Hair Brushes: Step-By-Step
Start with the basics. Get a small bowl or sink, mild shampoo or dish soap, an old toothbrush or nail brush, a toothpick or tail comb for the lint ring, a microfiber towel, and a rack or edge where the tool can dry bristles-down. Unplug hot tools nearby. Keep water warm, not scalding, unless you’re following a lice-specific hot-water step later in this guide.
Before You Wash: Fast Prep
- Pull out shed hair. Use your fingers, a pen cap, or a tail comb to lift clumps from the base. Aim to do this after every few uses.
- Break the lint ring. That gray fluff is oils, dust, and product. Tease it up with a toothpick, then sweep with a dry toothbrush.
- Check the body. Look for cracked seams, lifted pads, rusty pins, or loose vents. If parts wobble or snag, plan to replace.
Wash Steps By Tool Type
Use the table below as your quick map, then jump to the detailed steps.
| Tool | What To Use | Safe Soak Time |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic Comb | Warm water + a drop of shampoo or dish soap | 10–15 minutes |
| Paddle Brush (Plastic/Cushion) | Soapy water; keep water below cushion vents | 5–10 minutes (partial soak) |
| Round Barrel (Plastic/Metal) | Soapy water + toothbrush for barrel vents | 5–10 minutes |
| Boar-Bristle | Spritz of diluted shampoo; wipe clean | No full soak |
| Wood Handle | Damp cloth with suds; avoid soaking | No soak |
| Detangler With Cushioned Base | Soapy water; keep base mostly dry | Quick dip + scrub only |
Plastic Combs
- Drop the comb in warm, soapy water for 10–15 minutes.
- Scrub between teeth with a toothbrush; run the brush along the spine.
- Rinse well. Hold at an angle so residue flushes out.
- Pat dry, then stand the comb on its edge to air-dry fully.
Paddle Brushes With Cushioned Bases
- Remove hair and lint first.
- Fill the sink with a few inches of warm water and a small squeeze of shampoo.
- Hold the handle and dip only the bristles. Keep the cushion vents above water.
- Scrub bristles and base with a toothbrush. Work in rows.
- Rinse under a gentle stream with bristles pointing down.
- Shake off water and set bristles-down on a towel so liquid drains away from the cushion.
Round Brushes (Plastic Or Metal Barrel)
- Pick out hair with a tail comb. Twist gently to free knots near the core.
- Soak the barrel and bristles in soapy water for 5–10 minutes.
- Brush through vents and the core with a toothbrush.
- Rinse from the handle toward the tip. Spin the brush to flush vents.
- Dry bristles-down on a towel. Rotate once during drying to speed things up.
Boar-Bristle Brushes
- Remove hair and lift the lint ring.
- Mix a cup of warm water with a pea-size shampoo in a spray bottle or bowl.
- Lightly spritz or dip just the bristles. Keep the base as dry as possible.
- Massage with a toothbrush from root to tip. Wipe the base with a damp cloth.
- Blot with a towel, then dry bristles-down.
Wood Handles And Vented Bases
- Dust the handle and base with a dry cloth.
- Wipe with a cloth dipped in sudsy water and wrung out well.
- Spot-clean sticky areas with a cotton swab.
- Dry right away to protect the finish.
Why Clean Hair Tools Regularly
Hair, oils, residue, and dust collect fast. That buildup transfers back to strands and scalp, leaving a dull look and uneven styling. Routine cleaning also stops odor, keeps bristles springy, and keeps cushion vents from clogging. If you’ve had a bout of lice at home, a hot-water step for combs and brushes is recommended by public health guidance, covered later in this guide.
Deep Clean Steps With Product Buildup
Soak And Scrub For Heavy Residue
- Plastic tools: Add a teaspoon of baking soda to the soapy bath to lift hairspray and waxy film. Rinse well.
- Metal barrels: Use only a soft brush. Skip abrasives that scratch the finish.
- Natural bristles or wood: Avoid long soaks. Work with a damp cloth and a small amount of shampoo, then wipe dry.
Target The Lint Ring
That gray ring sits where bristles meet the base. Sweep it out with a toothpick, then run a dry toothbrush around the base. A clean base keeps the next wash easy.
Safe Disinfecting After Illness Or Lice
If someone in the home had lice, follow a simple hot-water step for combs and brushes. Public health guidance says to soak them in water at at least 130°F (54°C) for 5–10 minutes. See the CDC head lice treatment page for the exact temperature and timing. This targets lice on tools that touched an infested scalp. Do not boil plastic parts; keep to the temperature range listed.
Dermatology guidance also covers home care for lice and when to seek medical advice. The AAD head lice treatment page outlines options and when professional care helps.
Salon-Style Disinfectants (Optional)
Some households keep a salon disinfectant on hand. If you use one, follow the label mix and contact time exactly and rinse tools that touch skin or hair. Do not mix products. Ventilate the area and store concentrate out of reach.
Drying, Storage, And Odor Control
Dry The Right Way
- Bristles-down. Always drain water away from the base or cushion.
- Avoid direct heat. Skip radiators and hair dryers on high. Warm moving air in a room works better.
- Flip once. Midway through drying, rotate the tool to free trapped drops.
Store Clean, Keep Clean
- Keep tools in a drawer or caddy with airflow. Closed cases trap moisture.
- Separate hot tools from bristle tools so finishes don’t melt or warp.
- Traveling? Pack a light sleeve so bristles don’t bend.
Mistakes That Ruin Hair Tools
- Full submersion of cushions or wood. Water seeps in and lifts glue or swells the core.
- Bleach dips. Harsh on finishes and bristles; stick with soapy water or approved disinfectants.
- Scalding boils for plastic. Warps pins and loosens pads. Only use the hot-water lice step at the stated temperature.
- Skipping the rinse. Soap residue attracts dust fast.
- Storing wet. Leads to odor and mildew inside vents and pads.
How Often To Wash Hair Tools
Frequency depends on hair type, product use, and tool design. Use this quick guide to set your routine.
| Your Situation | Tool Type | Wash Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy hairspray, gels, or wax | Plastic combs, paddles, round barrels | Weekly |
| Minimal product use | Same as above | Every 2–3 weeks |
| Oily scalp or gym use | Any daily-use brush | Weekly |
| Boar-bristle or wood handle | Natural bristle brush | Wipe weekly; deep clean monthly |
| Home just cleared of lice | All tools used on hair | Hot-water step once (130°F, 5–10 min) |
Detailed Care By Material
Plastic And Nylon
These handle regular soaks. Use warm, soapy water for the main clean, then rinse until squeaky. If hairspray residue lingers, repeat with a touch of baking soda. Check tips of pins; if caps have snapped off, they can scratch the scalp and should be retired.
Metal Barrels
Metal vents collect lint that bakes on during blowouts. Soften debris with a 5–10-minute soak. Use a soft brush in the vent holes. If you spot corrosion, replace the tool. Rust spreads and snags hair.
Natural Bristle
Natural fibers soak up water. Keep cleaning light: a foamy spritz, a toothbrush massage, and a fast rinse at the tips only. Blot and dry bristles-down. If bristles clump after drying, they’re past their best days.
Wooden Handles
Moisture warps wood. Wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap, then dry immediately. If the finish peels or the grain lifts, replace the brush to avoid splinters.
Fast Troubleshooting
My Brush Smells Musty
That’s trapped water. Wash again, rinse well, and dry bristles-down in a breezy spot. Add a brief wipe with diluted vinegar on the handle (avoid cushions), then a clear-water wipe. Let it dry completely before storage.
Bristles Feel Sticky
Sticky pins point to hairspray or wax. Do a second soak with a touch of baking soda. Scrub each row. Rinse until the squeak test passes.
The Cushion Looks Cloudy Under The Pad
Soapy water likely seeped in. Set the brush bristles-down near moving air for a day. If cloudiness stays or you hear sloshing, retire it.
When To Replace A Brush Or Comb
- Loose pins, missing ball tips, or bent rows that pull hair.
- Cracks at the base or a cushion lifting from the frame.
- Persistent odor after a proper clean and full dry.
- Rust on a metal core or vents.
Simple Weekly Routine You Can Stick To
Two Minutes After Laundry Day
- Pick out shed hair from every tool.
- Give plastic tools a quick soapy dip while the sink is running.
- Scrub, rinse, and set bristles-down on a towel.
Once A Month
- Do a deeper soak for plastic and metal tools.
- Wipe natural bristles and wood with a light, foamy cloth.
- Check for damage and retire worn pieces.
Why This Method Works
The wash order—remove hair, loosen residue, clean, rinse, and dry bristles-down—keeps water out of cushions, protects wood and natural fibers, and clears product film. The hot-water step at the stated temperature range aligns with public guidance for tools used during lice care. Linked pages above provide the exact figures and timing for that step.
Quick Reference: Supplies List
- Mild shampoo or dish soap
- Old toothbrush or nail brush
- Tail comb or toothpick
- Microfiber towel
- Optional: baking soda; salon disinfectant (label use only)
Care Notes And Limits
This guide reflects hands-on methods used in homes and salons for non-porous tools and common natural-bristle designs. Always read the care note from your brush maker. Some premium boar-bristle brushes call for minimal moisture and a specific cleanser. If a tool includes delicate inserts, adhesives, or leather wraps, follow the maker’s page first.