How to Clean Your Brushes for Healthier Hair (10 minute easy routine!)
If your hair feels greasy soon after washing, it could be that your hair brushes aren’t as clean as they should be. Brushes collect oils, product residue, and shed hair, which can transfer back onto your strands, making them look dull and weighed down. Regularly cleaning your brushes not only keeps your hair looking fresh but also extends the life of your tools.
Here’s a quick method for how to clean your hair brushes properly using everyday ingredients, along with a few tips to maintain them between washes.
THE DEEP CLEANSE (3x-4x Per Month):
Step 1: Remove Any Hair
Start by pulling out any hair that’s stuck in the bristles. You can use your fingers or a comb for this. Doing this after every use helps prevent buildup and makes deep cleaning easier.
Step 2: Prepare a Cleaning Solution
Mix 90% warm water, 2% dish soap, and 8% apple cider vinegar.
Dish soap breaks down oils and product residue on the bristles.
Apple cider vinegar acts as a disinfectant, killing bacteria and eliminating odors.
This solution is gentle enough for regular use but powerful enough to clean thoroughly.
Step 3: Soak the Brushes
Soak your brushes in the solution for 10 minutes, ensuring the bristles are fully submerged. Avoid soaking the handles if they’re made of wood to prevent damage.
Step 4: Scrub the Bristles
After soaking, use a clean toothbrush, nail brush or dish scrubber to gently scrub the bristles, focusing on the areas where buildup tends to gather. (I use one of these that I buy on Amazon!)
Step 5: Rinse and Dry
Rinse your brushes under warm water and shake off the excess. Lay them bristles down on a clean towel .
Everyday Maintenance Tips:
Remove shed hair after every use to keep your brushes cleaner between deep cleans.
Deep clean 3-4 times a month, especially if you use styling products regularly.
Limit soaking for wooden-handled brushes to avoid weakening the wood.
Pro Tip: If you have styling tools with removable heads like the Dyson Airwrap you can wash them in a similar way! I’ll link you to one of my Tiktoks here where I take you through the steps.
By making a habit of cleaning your brushes, you’ll notice your hair stays cleaner and looks better for longer. Regular maintenance is quick and makes a world of difference!
With lots of love,
Isabelle