The Importance Of Cleaning Your Hairbrush

When it comes to maintaining a healthy scalp and beautiful, healthy head of hair a clean hairbrush is crucial. But when was the last time you cleaned your hairbrush, as in REALLY cleaned it? Do you even know how to properly clean it? If you’re like most people you probably don’t. You may not have even realized that your brush needs cleaning beyond pulling loose hair out of it, but it’s just as important to keep your hair styling tools clean as it is to keep your hair clean. With just a few steps you can keep your hairbrush clean and be on the road to a healthier scalp and healthier hair.

Why A Clean Hairbrush Is Important

Your hairbrush collects oils and sweat, dead skin cells, debris like lint and dust, and all kinds of styling products from your strands every time you brush. Over time this builds up and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi which are then redistributed throughout your mane every time you brush. Have you ever had an itchy scalp? You probably never thought your hairbrush could be to blame, but if you aren’t cleaning your brush regularly it very well could be the culprit.

How Often Should Your Hairbrush Be Cleaned?

Shed hair should be removed from your brush every time that it’s used. This alone can help prevent a lot of unnecessary tugging and snagging as you brush and prevent some breakage. Then roughly once per week you should thoroughly wash and dry your brush to remove and prevent buildup. It should only take about 10-15 minutes and will extend the life of your brush as well as improve the health of your hair. And you don’t need any special products to do it. You already have everything that you need in your home.

Hairbrush Cleaning 101

Cleaning your hairbrush is simple and easy. Here are the steps to follow to get your brush properly cleaned. This applies to all types of brushes whether they have synthetic or natural bristles.

1. Remove all of the shed hair. You can use your fingers, a wide-toothed comb, or even a fork to get down deep in the bristles to pull out all of that loose hair. Be careful not to damage the bristles. Those hairs can sometimes be pretty tightly intertwined. It might take some finessing to get them out.
2. Soak or scrub the dirt away. How to do this will depend on whether your brush is plastic and synthetic or wood and natural.
3. For plastic brushes- fill the sink or a bowl with warm water and add a few drops of your favorite shampoo. We really like Cezanne Clarifying Shampoo for removing buildup. Allow the brush to soak for about 10-15 minutes. Then remove any loosened debris with your hand. You can also use a toothbrush or stiff-bristled paintbrush to give it an extra scrub. If you start this just before your shower it should be ready by the time your shower is finished.
4. For natural wood brushes- do not soak them in water. It can soften the adhesive holding the bristles and deteriorate your brush over time. Instead, run the brush under hot water, apply a few drops of shampoo and then scrub between the bristles with a toothbrush.
5. Rinse and dry. Give your brush a good rinse to make sure all of the shampoo and dirt are removed. Shake out any excess water and then lay it face down on a clean, dry towel in a well-ventilated area to dry. It’s important that the bristles be facing down so that excess water can drip out.

That’s it! Your brush is now clean and ready to use. If you can’t seem to get all of the gunk out of the bristles or if the brush is losing bristles it’s probably time to get a new brush. A damaged brush can damage your hair. If you need a new brush the Zenagen Brush is great for detangling. It has a blend of synthetic and boar bristles to give you the best of both worlds.

There is more to healthy hair than finding the right hair products. It’s just as important to find the right tools and keep them clean and in good condition. If you find your tresses in need of a little tender loving care come to see the haircare experts at Anna’s Salon Elite for a trim and conditioning treatment to give your strands the healthy reset they need. You can find us at 2616 Brodhead Road in Aliquippa, give us a call at 724.375.8511, or for your convenience, visit our website to book an appointment online.