We cleanse our faces with balms and foams, we clean our bodies with shower gel, we wash our hair with shampoo yet can you tell us the last time you cleaned your hairbrush? Or even wondered how to clean a hairbrush?
The fact that you’ve clicked on this link suggests that it’s either been a while, or you’ve never done it. Beyond just good hygiene, cleaning a hairbrush can also make a big difference to the condition and look of your hair.
Below, we’ve explained how to clean a hairbrush, and listed the products you’ll need to do so. You can also check to see if you’re using the best hairbrush for your hair type in our best hairbrush guide.
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According to a study from the University of Arizona, the average hairbrush harbours almost 3,500 colonies of bacteria per square inch.
That is because your daily brushing creates a buildup of dead skin cells transferred from your scalp to the brush.
Not only is this a bit gross, but you’re effectively rubbing these cells, dead skin and bacteria through your freshly washed hair. If you have greasy hair naturally, this can make things particularly worse.
So how do you clean a hairbrush? And is it enough to simply remove the hair stuck to the bristles? Here are two methods. If you haven’t cleaned your hairbrush in a while (or ever) we recommend starting with the deep cleanse.
You can then get away with the quick clean method to keep the brush in great condition. Either way, you should be looking to wash your hair brush with warm water and mild shampoo weekly, where possible. If you’ve got long luscious locks, we recommend you do this more often.
FURTHER READING: How to clean makeup brushes and choose a makeup brush cleaner
You’ll need:
You can also substitute the baby shampoo for apple cider vinegar. It’s a great cleanser and is one of the key ingredients in Hairstory New Wash – our absolute favourite SLS-free shampoo.
In place of Dettol, you can use baking soda. It’s not quite as effective but is natural and less harsh on your hands.
FURTHER READING: Hairstory New Wash review: Can this £44 sulphate-free shampoo alternative transform our hair?
FURTHER READING: How to clean beauty blenders
You’ll need:
We then recommend spraying your brushes with a sanitiser spray. We use the Pro Hygiene Collection (£16) spray and it works for both our makeup brushes and our hairbrushes.
If you have natural hair, which tends to be thicker and curlier, it may take a little more effort to get rid of the hair and products from your brushes and we recommend that you try to wash your combs and brushes as much as you can.
The video below talks through the same processes as above but from a natural hair perspective.
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