If you’re reading this right now, there’s a pretty decent chance you’ve either never washed your hairbrush or have done it so infrequently that you can’t remember the last time it happened. (Hey, we’re right there with you.) Though it’s not something you need to do with the same frequency as, say, cleaning your makeup brushes, knowing how to clean your hairbrush—along with how often and why you should—is good info to have in your back pocket. Let’s get to it.
Are Hairbrushes Even Supposed to Be Washed?
Hairbrushes should definitely be cleaned, and in some cases, you should throw them away after prolonged use. This is true for all types of hairbrushes and combs, including those made with boar bristles, plastic, metal, plant fibers, and other materials.
“Even though we are typically the only ones using our own hairbrushes, that doesn’t mean they don’t need to be cleaned,” says Shelly Aguirre, hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. “The brush gets not only hair build-up, but also scalp and product build-up.”
Failing to wash your hairbrush allows dirt, oil, product buildup, and even bacteria to accumulate, which can transfer back to your freshly washed hair. Over time, this can weigh down your locks, make your scalp feel greasy, and even cause irritation or dandruff. Regularly cleaning your hairbrush keeps it hygienic and ensures your hair stays healthier and fresher for longer.
Why You Should Wash Your Hairbrushes
Along with reducing the grody factor, here’s why you should wash your hairbrush regularly. William Gaunitz, FWTS, certified trichologist and founder of Advanced Trichology, shares other key benefits of washing your brushes:
- By removing the tangled hair in the brush, “you create a smooth and more fluid surface for the hair to glide through,” he explains.
- The clean surface can also help remove sebum from the scalp, which can help provide additional moisture and hydration for a healthier scalp.
- Cleaning hairbrushes helps “prevent the buildup of fungus, bacteria, and parasites in the brush that could re-populate the scalp over and over and over again, creating inflammation,” he notes. Eek!
How Often Should You Wash Your Hairbrush?
A good rule of thumb is to remove stray hairs and gently wash your hairbrush once a week, Gaunitz says. You can do this when you wash your makeup brushes so everything is done at once.
Things that may impact how frequently you should wash your hairbrush include whether you use styling products, how oily your hair/scalp are, how often you use the brush, and if you have a lot of shedding. Some may find that every other week or even monthly is enough, while others may need to give their brush a wash every few days.
“At the very least, you should remove the shedded hair when it’s a noticeable amount,” Aguirre says. “It’s not dissimilar to your makeup brushes, which should also be cleaned regularly.”
Quick Tips on How to Wash Hairbrushes
The best, easiest way to wash your hairbrush or comb is to remove excess hair and then place it in hot, soapy water, and let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Gaunitz recommends an unscented, natural, gentle soap that won’t leave behind any residue.
“After soaking, you can then remove the hair and debris from the brush and leave it out to air dry overnight. You want to focus on the bristles and the actual brush itself,” he says. The bristles should face downward when drying.
