The Right Way to Clean a Hairbrush

We’ll be the first ones to say that cleaning can be kind of a drag. From cleaning your makeup brushes to cleaning your heat-styling tools, it seems like there’s a never-ending list of things that need to be soaped and scrubbed down on a regular basis. And while adding an item to your to-do list is less than ideal, you may want to add your hairbrush to that list. 

If you’ve been going about life not knowing how to clean a hairbrush, or thinking it’s unnecessary, it’s time to change that. Below, we’re sharing what you need to know about how to clean a hairbrush, plus an easy, three-step tutorial that will leave your hairbrush looking nearly brand new. 

How to Clean a Hairbrush 

A dirty hairbrush can house dirt, oils and product buildup, which can make your hairstyle dull, flat and greasy if you put it through your strands. Needless to say, cleaning your hairbrush is important but it begs the question, how does one actually deep clean a hairbrush? Spoiler alert — it’s pretty easy. 

Follow these simple steps to rid your hairbrush of excess hair and unwanted buildup.

1. Remove Excess Hair

Of course, before you start you’ll want to remove any hair that has built up on your hairbrush. You can do this by simply pulling the hair away with your fingers or a comb. You can also use a pair of scissors to cut out any strands that seem to have latched on and are a little more difficult to remove. 

You’ll want to do this about once a week, or when you notice hair starting to build up on your brush. As with most cleaning, the more often you do it, the less rigorous it’ll be the next time around.

2. Make a Cleaning Mixture

Once you’ve removed all excess hair from the brush, make a cleaning mixture that’s equal parts shampoo and water. We recommend using the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Simply Clean Shampoo with Essential Oil as it’s free of sulfates, parabens, dyes and other harmful ingredients that can irritate your skin. 

You can throw a bit of baking soda into the mix as well. Just stir your creation in a bowl and you’re ready to clean.

3. Scrub Away 

Reach for a clean toothbrush — one that you aren’t using to brush your teeth with, of course. Dip the toothbrush in your soapy water mixture and gently scrub between the bristles of your hairbrush to remove any buildup. After you’ve given your brush a thorough cleaning, rinse the bristles with water and let your brush air dry with the bristles pointing downwards to let any water that has collected in your brush drain out. After a few hours, turn the brush over and let the bristles face upwards so they can fully dry. 

Alternatively, you can also fill a sink with the mixture and submerge your hairbrush into it, allowing all the gunk, dirt and unwanted product residue to soak and lift off. Then, follow with the toothbrush to scrub away the extra residue.

Editor’s tip: If you’re working with a wooden brush, make a dry mixture with shampoo and baking soda and keep water to a minimum. This will help avoid over-saturating the brush and potentially damaging the wood. 

Next: 7 Reasons Why You Should Replace Your Hairbrush With a Wide Tooth Comb

Edited by: Reece Andavolgyi, Photo Credit: Sophie Dweck