Quick Answer
Remove trapped hair first using a comb, chopstick, or pointed end of a rat-tail comb. Plastic and metal brushes can be soaked in warm water with a little shampoo or dish soap for 15 to 20 minutes, then scrubbed with an old toothbrush. Wooden and natural bristle brushes should never be submerged, since water can warp or damage the wood; instead, dip just the bristles and scrub gently.
Removing Trapped Hair First
Before any water or cleaning solution comes near the brush, pull out as much tangled hair as possible by hand. For stubborn strands wound tightly around the base of the bristles, a pair of scissors or the pointed end of a rat-tail comb helps lift them free without damaging the bristles. Doing this weekly, rather than letting it build up, makes every future clean noticeably faster.
Making a Cleaning Solution
Fill a sink or bowl with warm water and add a few drops of clarifying shampoo, mild dish soap, or a teaspoon of baking soda for extra grease-cutting power. Swirl the water until it becomes sudsy. This solution works for the soaking and scrubbing steps across every brush type, though how you apply it differs by material.
Cleaning by Brush Type: Plastic and Metal
Fully submerge plastic or metal-bristled brushes in the soapy water and let them soak for 15 to 20 minutes to loosen oils, dead skin, and product residue. Scrub with an old toothbrush, working from the base of the bristles upward, then rinse thoroughly under running water until no suds remain.
Cleaning by Brush Type: Wooden and Natural Bristle
Never submerge a wooden-handled or natural bristle brush, since prolonged water exposure can warp the wood or damage its finish. Instead, dip only the bristles, bristle-side down, into the soapy water, agitating gently rather than soaking the base. Use an old toothbrush or a stiff craft brush to work between the bristles, being careful to keep the wooden handle as dry as possible throughout.
Cleaning Brushes With a Cushioned or Fabric Base
Brushes with a rubber or fabric-padded base, common on paddle and vent brushes, should never have that base fully submerged, since trapped moisture inside the padding is slow to dry and can lead to a musty smell. Dip and shake these brushes in the soapy water repeatedly rather than soaking, keeping the padded base out of the water as much as possible.
Reaching Stubborn Buildup Around Ball-Tipped Bristles
Brushes with small plastic balls on the bristle tips, designed to protect the scalp, are notorious for trapping product buildup just beneath the ball. A longer soak, closer to 20 minutes, combined with gently working a toothbrush around each tip, generally shifts residue that a quick rinse alone will not.
Rinsing and Drying
Rinse thoroughly under running water until the water runs completely clear and no soap remains. Shake off excess water, then dry plastic and metal brushes face down on a clean towel. Dry wooden brushes bristle-side down as well, but angle the wooden base upward, so any residual moisture cannot seep into the wood itself.
Deep Clean With an Old Toothbrush
An old, clean toothbrush is the single most useful tool for a deep hairbrush clean, since its bristles are stiff enough to dislodge residue but fine enough to fit between brush bristles without damaging them. Work it methodically across the entire base of the brush, not just the bristle tips, since oil and buildup collect most heavily at the base.
How Often to Clean
| Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Remove loose hair | Weekly |
| Quick rinse or wipe | Weekly |
| Full soak and deep clean | Monthly |
Cleaning the Handle Too
Dirt, product residue, and grime build up on brush handles just as much as on the bristles, particularly around the grip area, but this is easy to overlook. Wipe handles down with a damp cloth during the weekly quick clean, and include them in the monthly deep clean using the same soapy solution.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submerging a wooden or natural bristle brush fully, risking warping or a damaged finish
- Skipping the weekly hair removal step, which makes monthly deep cleaning far more time-consuming
- Using the brush again before it has fully dried, particularly bristle bases, which can trap moisture
- Using hot water, which can loosen glue on some brush bases over repeated use; warm water is generally safer
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I soak a wooden hairbrush in water?
No, only dip the bristles and keep the wooden base as dry as possible, since prolonged soaking can warp or damage the wood.
How often should I deep clean my hairbrush?
Around once a month, with a quick hair removal and rinse weekly in between.
What is the grey fuzz that builds up in a hairbrush?
It is typically a mix of hair, dust, and product residue, which regular cleaning prevents from accumulating.
Can I use baking soda to clean a hairbrush?
Yes, adding a teaspoon of baking soda to the soapy water boosts its grease-cutting power for tougher buildup.
Why should I use an old toothbrush instead of a regular brush?
Its bristles are stiff enough to dislodge trapped residue while being fine enough to reach between the brush’s own bristles without causing damage.