How to Clean a Hairbrush

I have long hair, and when I find a good brush, I want to keep it as long as possible. However, even the best brush can become soiled over time. It is possible to clean almost any hairbrush. Here's how!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A dirty hairbrush
• a comb or long hairpin
• washing machine or dishpan or sink filled with tepid water
• plain shampoo or dish detergent

1. Begin by removing as much loose hair and lint as possible from the hairbrush with your fingers and a comb or hairpin. Run the hairpin or comb between the rows of bristles until you have removed all the foreign material that you can.
2. If your hairbrush has a wooden handle or boar bristles or both, add the plain shampoo or detergent to the water in the sink or dishpan and swish the brush vigorously in it until the water is sudsy.
3. Drain and replace the water, and if the brush still seems dirty, repeat the first two steps.
4. When the brush seems sufficiently clean, replace the water once again, but don't put any shampoo or detergent in it. Just swish the brush until it is completely rinsed.This may entail draining and refilling the water a few times until no more suds are produced.
5. Dry the handle carefully with an old towel, and shake the bristles outside or somewhere where the water won't damage anything.
6. The same method may be used for an all-plastic brush, but you may also prefer to throw it into the washing machine with a load of towels after removing the hair and foreign material from the bristles as much as possible. When the load has finished washing, remove the clean brush and shake it dry, as with the boar's bristle brush.

Tips & Warnings

• Let the brush dry completely before you use it again.
• Don't attempt to clean an antique brush. If it really needs cleaning, get an antique dealer to recommend someone who restores antiques.
• Avoid using heavily scented or conditioning shampoo as it will get dirty again more quickly, and it can cause the brush to deteriorate more quickly.
• Don't put a plastic brush in the clothes dryer. It might melt.