How to Clean Oil & Hair From Brushes

Clean your hairbrush on a routine basis to avoid oil and hair buildup.

With regular use, a hairbrush inevitably comes into contact with oils and loose hair strands. Over time, the oil and hair can build up on the brush, lessening its performance and creating a magnet for lint. You can solve the problem of a oily, hair-tangled brush with basic soap and water and a tool to untangle the hairs, or you can take the task a step further and disinfect it.

Things You'll Need

• Trash can
• Wide-toothed comb
• Warm water and soap
• Toothpick
• Sink
• Shampoo
• Clean, old toothbrush (optional)
• Clean towel

Instructions

1. Hold the hairbrush, with the bristles at a downward angle, over a trash can and pull a wide-toothed comb down through the length of the bristles to collect the hairs. Pull the hairs from the comb and deposit them in the trash. Repeat until the comb no longer collects hairs. Clean the comb with soap and warm water.

2. Use a toothpick to loosen any remaining hairs from the bristles, and pull the strands out with your fingers. Deposit the hairs into a wastebasket.

3. Fill the sink with warm water and add 1 or 2 drops of shampoo. Agitate the water with your fingers to mix it up, place your hairbrush in the water and allow it to soak for 10 to 15 minutes.

4. Use an old, clean toothbrush to scrub the areas between the bristles if the bristles are spaced in rows. If not, hold the brush by the handle and swish it around in the water for 2 to 3 minutes.

5. Pull the clean, wide-toothed comb back through the bristles one more time to remove any remaining hairs and rinse the brush under lukewarm water from the sink tap.

6. Tap the handle of the brush on the edge of the sink, with the head of the brush over the sink basin, to remove any excess water. Wipe the handle and casing of the hairbrush with a clean towel, and lay the brush, bristles down, with the head over the edge of the sink, to dry. Allow several hours for the bristles to completely dry.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a brush with plastic bristles, you can disinfect it by soaking it for one hour in one quart of hot water with 2 tablespoons of bleach added to it. Don't use bleach on delicate brushes as it may damage them.

• Check your brush for split bristles. Replace your brush if it contains damaged bristles as they can get snagged on and rip your hair.

References

• Bella Sugar: How to Clean Your Hairbrush
• Free Library.com: How to Clean a Hairbrush