If you’ve found your hair getting more greasy more quickly for no conceivable reason, the answer may lie in your hairbrush hygiene.
For the sake of our luscious locks, knowing how to clean a hair brush is a crucial part of our haircare routine. As Anabel Kingsley, certified trichologist at Philip Kingsley, explains, "Hairbrushes become coated in the products, bacteria, environmental pollution, sweat, oils and dead skin cells that are found on your hair and scalp."
Brushing your hair is not only supposed to get tangles out, but it distributes sebum which ensures your scalp’s pH balance is maintained. If your brush is filthy, you’ll be throwing the pH balance totally off.
So, to avoid inflammation, irritation and dandruff, here’s an expert-approved guide on how to clean your hairbrush correctly.
How often to clean your brush
Kingsley recommends you clean your brush every two to four weeks. "You clean your make-up brushes regularly to remove grime, and you should be doing this with your hairbrush too," she says.
"If you use a dirty brush to comb or style your hair, you will be transferring dirt etc back onto your strands and scalp."
If you’re someone who uses hot hair tools often, celebrity stylist Michael Douglas recommends washing your brush every 20 blow dries.
How to clean your brush
If you’re starting to worry that you’ve been inadvertently damaging your hair for years, here’s Kingsley’s step-by-step guide on how to clean your brush:
Comb it: Use a wide-tooth comb and/or your fingers to remove any strands of hair from your brush.
Wash it: Mix your regular shampoo with warm water, or 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 2 cups of warm water, in a container or your sink. Submerge your brush and leave it to soak from 10-15 mins. If your brush is wooden, you should quickly dip the prongs into soapy water and remove it – do not soak it.
Scrub it: Using a toothbrush, gently scrub between the prongs.
Rinse it: Wash it well and shake out excess water. If you are washing a paddle brush, make sure to gently squeeze any excess water out of the base.
Leave it to air dry (don’t blow dry): Leave your brush to dry completely on a hand towel or on your dish rack. Blow-drying it can warp the prongs and damage the shape. Air drying it can take anywhere from 12-24 hours.
If you’re using a barrel brush, Douglas recommends using a separate slim comb. "Comb up through the bristles along the length – not width – of the barrel and pull up the strands in one long motion. This will pick up and remove any strands of hair that are tightly wrapped around the barrel of the brush."
