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Brushes, like any other beauty tool, get dirty over time. If your brush is getting a little messy, it may be time for a good cleaning. Brushes and combs can usually be cleaned with a mild cleanser and a toothbrush. If you haven't cleaned your brush or comb in a long time, it's a good idea to disinfect the brush or comb in vinegar or rubbing alcohol. When you're done, you'll be left with neat and clean brushes and combs.
Steps
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Remove hair from the brush with your fingers. Get as much hair out of the brush or comb first by simply picking it out with your fingers. Hair should come out fairly easily, so try to be as thorough as possible. If you encounter any hair that's stuck on, use a toothpick to loosen it and then remove it with your fingers.
- You may even be able to purchase tools designed to remove hair from your brush. Alternatively, you can also try using a hair pik or the end of a rat tail comb.
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Mix a mild cleaner with warm water. You do not need to use strong cleaners on a hair or brush. A mild cleaner, such as dish soap or shampoo, works great. [1] X Expert Source Kana Ishii
Licensed Cosmetologist Expert Interview. 22 December 2021. Add a small dab of your cleaner to a small bowl of warm water. There are no precise amounts that are recommended, but you usually do not need an excessive amount of cleaner to clean a brush or comb. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement -
Scrub down the brush or comb with a toothbrush. First, soak your brush in the cleaner for about 15 minutes to help loosen any stuck on material. [3] X Expert Source Kana Ishii
Licensed Cosmetologist Expert Interview. 22 December 2021. Then, get an unused toothbrush damp with the cleaner and gently swab down the brush or comb between the bristles. You should also swab down the sides of the brush, as these make contact with your hair and build up residue over time. [4] X Research source- If you have a brush with a wooden handle, avoid getting the sides wet, however. Water can damage wood.
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Rinse the brush or comb. Once you've given the brush or comb a good scrubbing, you should rinse out your cleaner. Rinse out the brush under the faucet using hot water until the water runs clean. [5] X Research source
- Let the brush or comb air dry after cleaning it. If you're in a hurry, you can also pat it dry with a paper towel or rag or use a hair dryer on medium heat a few inches away from it.
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Submerge plastic combs in vinegar or rubbing alcohol. Plastic combs can be safely sanitized in either rubbing alcohol or apple cider vinegar. Fill a cup or bowl that's big enough to hold your comb with vinegar or rubbing alcohol. Let the comb soak for 10 minutes. Then, remove the brush or comb and rinse it out under running water. [6] X Research source
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Soak the head of a brush in vinegar to disinfect. You only need to soak the head of a brush to disinfect it. Add a mixture of one part white vinegar to one part water to a bowl big enough to hold your brush's head. Then, soak the brush's head in the mixture for 20 minutes. [7] X Research source Rinse the brush under running water when you're done.
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Let your brush or comb air-dry. Brushes and combs should be air dried on a towel. Times will vary depending on the type of brush or comb. Some will take a few hours to dry while others may need to dry out overnight. [8] X Research source
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Clean your handles. Handles of brushes and combs also come into contact with a lot of germs. You should clean them as well during the disinfecting process. Cleaning depends on the material of your brush or comb, but you can swab down most surfaces with rubbing alcohol to wipe away any residue. You can then rub down the handles with a damp cloth. [9] X Research source
- It may be best to avoid harsh cleaners, like rubbing alcohol, on wooden brushes.
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Clean bristles gently. When cleaning the bristles of your brushes, go slowly and make gentle motions. Cleaning the bristles too aggressively could result in them bending or breaking during the cleaning process.
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Avoid getting cushioned brushes wet for long. Brushes that have cushioning below the handles should not be wet for long periods. Avoid soaking these brushes to disinfect them and stick to only giving them a mild rub down with a mild cleaner and water. [10] X Research source
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Do not soak wooden brushes. Brushes with wooden handles or frames should never be soaked. Wood is very susceptible to water damage and soaking a wooden brush can easily ruin it. Stick to washing these brushes with a toothbrush and cleaner. [11] X Research source
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow to remove hair dye from combs ?Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.When hair dye comes into contact with a comb, it's most effective to remove it immediately with a wet cloth, and then you should easily be able to clean it with soap and water, apple cider vinegar or alcohol. The longer that the dye sits, the harder that it will be to remove.
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QuestionHow do I clean in the corners?Community AnswerFirst soak it in water mixed with a little bit of shampoo for a little while, then use a safety pin to remove any dirt in the corners.
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QuestionWhat if my hairbrush still has grease on it?Community AnswerClean it again and repeat as necessary.
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Tips
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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Let the brush soak in water with baking soda overnight. The hair should be easy to remove afterwards, and your brush/comb will have a fresh scent.
- If you can't disinfect the brush, you can take the hair out and give it a light cleaning with shampoo in warm water.
- If you have a plastic comb with wide teeth, use a Q-Tip to remove oil and dirt from between the teeth.
- If there's caked on dirt, use a sharp object like a safety pin to scrape it off.
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References
- ↑ Kana Ishii. Licensed Cosmetologist. Expert Interview. 22 December 2021.
- ↑ https://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/tutorial-2/how-to-clean-your-brushes-combs-yes-you-really-need-to/
- ↑ Kana Ishii. Licensed Cosmetologist. Expert Interview. 22 December 2021.
- ↑ https://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Clean-Hair-Brushes-and-Combs-/10000000207198147/g.html
- ↑ https://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Clean-Hair-Brushes-and-Combs-/10000000207198147/g.html
- ↑ https://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Clean-Hair-Brushes-and-Combs-/10000000207198147/g.html
- ↑ https://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/tutorial-2/how-to-clean-your-brushes-combs-yes-you-really-need-to/
- ↑ https://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/tutorial-2/how-to-clean-your-brushes-combs-yes-you-really-need-to/
- ↑ https://www.madison-reed.com/blog/pro-tips-for-cleaning-hairbrushes-and-styling-tools
About This Article
Article Summary
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To clean hairbrushes and combs, start by removing any hair that's lodged in the bristles with your fingers. Mix dish soap with warm water to create a mild cleaning solution, then dip an old toothbrush in the solution and scrub the hairbrush or comb down thoroughly before rinsing it with clean water. If you need to disinfect your tools, try soaking them in a vinegar or rubbing alcohol solution for 10-20 minutes. To learn about precautions you may need to take when cleaning hairbrushes and combs, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I've only soaked my brushes and combs in the past in shampoo water. I didn't know I could use a toothbrush and that will help. The toothbrush was a good tip for me. Also, soaking in vinegar, etc., was something I didn't know." ..." more
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"I've only soaked my brushes and combs in the past in shampoo water. I didn't know I could use a toothbrush and that will help. The toothbrush was a good tip for me. Also, soaking in vinegar, etc., was something I didn't know."
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"Somehow, I've never been taught the need to clean combs. Now, with my favorite Mashimaro comb cleaned, I'm quite happy to say that getting ready for a new day just got way better. Thank you, everyone!"
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"This proved to my spouse that you don't need to buy a special cleaner to disinfect or dissolve hair in the comb or brush."
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"The article was overall good, and I actually didn't know any method to clean brushes and combs, so thank you so much."
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"All of the methods work efficiently, but I lean towards cleaning it with shampoo because it smells great."
