How to Clean a Hairbrush — Step by Step

  1. 1

    Remove all the hair first

    Pull out as much hair as possible by hand. Then use a wide-tooth comb, the end of a rattail comb, or a pencil to slide under the trapped hair and lift it out in sections. Work from the edge toward the centre. This is easier if you do it more frequently — hair compacts over time making it harder to remove.

  2. 2

    Check if your brush can be soaked

    Plastic and synthetic brushes can be fully submerged. Natural bristle brushes (boar bristle) and brushes with wooden handles or cushioned pads should not be soaked — water can loosen the glue holding bristles, swell wood and damage the cushion. For these, use a damp cloth instead of soaking.

  3. 3

    Soak in warm soapy water

    Fill a bowl or sink with warm water and add a few drops of shampoo or dish soap. Submerge plastic/synthetic brushes for 3–5 minutes. The warm water loosens product buildup and oils.

  4. 4

    Scrub with an old toothbrush

    Use an old toothbrush to scrub between the bristles and around the base of each bristle where product residue accumulates. Pay particular attention to the pad or the base plate where the most buildup collects.

  5. 5

    Rinse thoroughly

    Rinse under running water until no soap remains. Shake out excess water.

  6. 6

    Dry bristles down

    Place the brush bristles-down on a clean towel to air dry. This prevents water from sitting in the cushion pad (which causes mould) or soaking into a wooden handle. Leave for several hours until completely dry.

How often to cleanRemove hair after every use (takes 10 seconds). A full wash every 1–2 weeks if you use styling products daily, every 2–4 weeks for light users. A dirty brush puts product residue and bacteria back into clean hair.

Cleaning a Boar Bristle or Natural Bristle Brush

Remove hair as above. Dampen the bristles only (not the pad or handle). Apply a tiny drop of shampoo directly to the bristles and work it in with your fingers. Rinse by holding bristles under running water. Shake and dry bristles down. Never fully submerge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do not soak — water damages the cushion pad. Remove hair, then wipe the bristles with a cloth dampened with diluted shampoo. Use a toothbrush for detailed cleaning around the base of bristles. Wipe with a damp clean cloth, then dry bristles down. The cushion pad takes a long time to dry if it gets wet — prevent this by working quickly with a barely damp cloth.
The grey fluff is a combination of dead skin cells, dust, tiny fibres from pillowcases and clothing, and hair product residue. It accumulates between bristles and around the base. This is why regular cleaning matters — you do not want to brush this back into clean hair.