Experts Answer: How Should You Clean A Hairbrush?

A hairbrush is an extremely handy tool that can, unfortunately, look like a mess over time. After several weeks of use, your hairbrush can become covered in not only hair, but also the gunk leftover from any products you use in your mane. No one wants to look at that while brushing their hair, which is why we reached out to hair care and cleaning experts with this question: How, and when, should you clean a hairbrush?

"I am a firm believer in the idea that you can never clean your hairbrush enough!" Danielle Keasling, an Ulta Beauty Pro Team member, tells Hunker. "By cleaning your hairbrush of shedded hair each day, you allow the brush to properly work as it's designed."

Keasling adds that by allowing your shedded hair to remain in the brush, you could be irritating your hair cuticle due to friction. "Cuticle against cuticle creates static, friction, and sometimes even breakage," she explains.

If you aren't using product in your hair, Danielle Smith Parker, the founder of Detroit Maid, says that you should, at the very least, clean your brush every 2-3 weeks. Plus, every 2-3 uses, you should be removing built-up hair from the bristles.

For step-by-step hairbrush cleaning instructions, Parker offers the following advice:

Step 1

Remove hair from the base of the brush with a comb.

Step 2

Fill a bowl or sink with warm water. Add a few drops of shampoo and 2 teaspoons of baking soda, stirring to create suds. When it comes to shampoo, Keasling specifically recommends using a clarifying shampoo.

Step 3

Dip the brush in the liquid several times. This removes oils and product buildup.

Step 4

Once you've finished cleaning your hairbrush, rinse it thoroughly under cold water. Leave the brush to dry (bristles facing down) on top of a clean towel.