Do you have the habit of cleaning your hair brushes and combs? How often do you do it? Are you ashamed to say it? Don’t be, this is something I too didn’t do before. I confess I used them months or years on end without ever thinking about it. Gross isn’t it?! I’m sure I’m not the only one as I have walked into the bathroom of friends and family and have seen brushes and combs laden with hairs. Well, today I thought why not give you a full step guide on how to clean your curly hair brushes and combs!? Are you up for it?
Hey there, hair warriors! Got a hair brush that’s lookin’ more like a nest than a styling tool? I feel ya. We’ve all been guilty of lettin’ our brushes pile up with hair, gunk, and who-knows-what-else. But lemme tell ya, a dirty brush ain’t just gross—it’s messin’ with your hair game big time. Lucky for us, there’s a super simple, natural fix right in your kitchen: apple cider vinegar (ACV). This stuff is like a magic potion for cleanin’ hair brushes, and I’m gonna walk ya through exactly how to do it, step by step. So, grab that funky brush, and let’s get to work!
Why Bother Cleanin’ Your Hair Brush Anyway?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s chat about why this even matters. Your hair brush is basically a magnet for all sorts of junk—dead skin, oils from your scalp, leftover hairspray, gel, you name it. And don’t even get me started on the dust and bacteria that can chill there. If you’re brushin’ your clean hair with a dirty tool, you’re just puttin’ all that nastiness right back on your head. The result? Dull, oily locks and maybe even an itchy scalp. Yuck!
Cleanin’ your brush regular-like keeps your hair healthier, makes your styling smoother, and even makes your brush last longer I used to ignore mine for months (gross, I know), and my hair just never had that shine Once I started givin’ my brush some TLC with apple cider vinegar, it was like night and day. Plus, ACV is natural, cheap, and cuts through buildup like a champ. So, let’s get those brushes sparklin’!
What You’ll Need to Get Started
No fancy gadgets required here. We’re keepin’ it simple with stuff you prob’ly already got at home. Here’s the lineup:
| Item | Why You Need It |
|---|---|
| Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) | The star player—cuts through gunk and kills bacteria. |
| Warm Water | Helps mix with ACV and loosens up the mess. |
| Bowl or Sink | To soak your brush in the solution. |
| Old Toothbrush or Scrub Brush | For scrubbin’ off stubborn residue. |
| Towel | To dry off your brush after cleanin’. |
| Scissors or Comb | To yank out loose hair before soakin’. |
| Dish Soap (Optional) | Extra power for greasy buildup if needed. |
| Baking Soda (Optional) | For tacklin’ super sticky stuff. |
I swear by raw, unfiltered ACV if you’ve got it—seems to work a bit better—but any kind will do the trick. Got all that? Good, let’s roll up our sleeves!
Step-by-Step: How to Clean Hair Brushes with Apple Cider Vinegar
Alright, here’s the game plan. I’ve done this a million times, and it’s easy peasy once you get the hang of it. Follow these steps, and your brush will be good as new.
Step 1: Yank Out the Loose Hair
First things first, get rid of all that tangled hair stuck in your brush. Use your fingers, a comb, or even scissors if it’s a real mess. I usually start with my hands and then grab a comb to lift out the stubborn strands. If you’ve got one of them brushes with tight bristles, scissors can cut through the clumps quick. Just don’t snip the bristles by mistake! This step is key ‘cause you don’t want hair cloggin’ up your cleanin’ solution later. Takes a couple minutes, but worth it.
Step 2: Mix Up Your Magic Potion
Now, let’s make the cleanin’ solution Grab a bowl or use your sink—whatever’s big enough to dunk your brush head in Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 2 parts warm water. For a small brush, somethin’ like ¼ cup ACV and ½ cup water works fine. If you’ve got a big ol’ paddle brush or a few to clean, just scale it up. The warm water helps the vinegar break down all that oily junk. Smells a bit funky, I’ll admit, but it’s gonna work wonders!
Step 3: Soak That Sucker
Pop your brush into the solution makin’ sure the bristles are fully under. If your brush has a wooden handle don’t dunk the whole thing—wood and water don’t mix well long-term. Just let the bristle part soak. Leave it in there for about 15 to 30 minutes. I usually set a timer and go do somethin’ else, like scrollin’ on my phone. This gives the ACV time to loosen up all the gunk, oils, and whatever else is hidin’ in there. If it’s been ages since you cleaned it, lean toward 30 minutes for max effect.
Step 4: Scrub-a-Dub-Dub
After soakin’, grab that old toothbrush or scrub brush and get to work. Focus on the base of the bristles—that’s where the real nastiness hides. Use little circular motions to dig out the residue. I’ve had brushes with sticky hairspray buildup, and this step is where the magic happens. If it’s extra stubborn, sprinkle a tiny bit of baking soda on there for some grit. Takes a bit of elbow grease sometimes, but you’ll see the difference right away. Gunk be gone!
Step 5: Rinse It Good
Time to wash off all that vinegar and loosened mess. Run your brush under warm water, makin’ sure every bit of the solution is gone. Keep rinsin’ till the water runs clear. I’ve skipped this once or twice and ended up with a vinegary smell on my brush—dont make my mistake! If you’re worried about the scent lingerin’, toss a drop of lavender or tea tree essential oil into the rinse water. Smells nice and adds a lil’ extra cleanin’ power.
Step 6: Dry It Right
Shake off the extra water and pat your brush with a clean towel. Lay it flat on the towel, bristles facin’ down, to air dry. This keeps water from seepin’ into the handle or base and messin’ things up. Don’t use a hairdryer, ‘cause heat can warp the bristles, especially if they’re natural ones. Just let it sit overnight if ya can. I’ve rushed this before and used a damp brush—ended up with weird hair texture. Patience pays off here!
How Often Should Ya Clean Your Brush?
Now that your brush is squeaky clean, let’s talk about keepin’ it that way. I try to give mine a good scrub every 1 to 2 weeks. If you’re slatherin’ on a ton of styling products like gel or spray, you might wanna do it weekly. On the flip side, if you don’t use much product, every 2 to 4 weeks is prob’ly fine. It really depends on how much gunk builds up. Set a reminder on your phone or stick it on your calendar—I’ve got a lil’ note that says “Brush Spa Day” to keep me on track. Trust me, once you see how much better your hair feels, you’ll wanna keep up with it.
Special Tips for Tricky Brushes
Not all brushes are created equal, and I’ve learned the hard way that some need extra care. Here’s a few pointers for those oddball situations:
- Wooden Handles: Like I mentioned, don’t soak the whole brush if it’s got wood. Water can crack or warp it over time. Just dip the bristles and keep the handle dry. I’ve got a fave wooden brush, and I’m super careful with it ‘cause I ain’t replacin’ it anytime soon.
- Natural Bristles (like Boar): These can handle a soak, but don’t overdo it—15 minutes is usually enough. They’re more delicate than plastic, so go easy with the scrubbin’. Warm water, not hot, is your friend here.
- Cushion Base Brushes: These suck up water like a sponge. After rinsin’, press the cushion gently with a towel to get the excess out. Make sure it’s bone dry before usin’ it again to avoid any funky smells.
- Sticky Residue Mess: If your brush is caked with sticky stuff from products, add a pinch of baking soda to your ACV mix. It fizzes a bit but helps break down the gluey junk. I’ve saved a brush from the trash with this trick!
- Vinegar Smell Lingers: If your brush still smells like a salad after dryin’, no worries. Just rinse again with a few drops of essential oil in the water. Lavender’s my go-to—it’s like aromatherapy while I’m at it.
What If You Ain’t Got Apple Cider Vinegar?
Ran outta ACV? No biggie. You can swap it with white vinegar using the same mix—1 part vinegar to 2 parts water. It works just as good for cleanin’, though the smell’s a bit sharper. I’ve used it in a pinch and didn’t notice much difference, ‘cept maybe missin’ that apple-y scent. Just make sure to rinse real thorough so your hair don’t end up smellin’ like a pickle jar!
Extra Perks of Usin’ Apple Cider Vinegar
Now, why do I keep goin’ on about apple cider vinegar like it’s the best thing since sliced bread? ‘Cause it kinda is for this job! Here’s why I’m obsessed with it for brush cleanin’:
- Natural and Non-Toxic: Ain’t no harsh chemicals here. ACV is straight from nature, so I feel good usin’ it around my home. No worries about weird fumes or residues.
- Kills the Bad Stuff: It’s got antibacterial and antifungal vibes, so it zaps germs and keeps your brush sanitary. I’ve read up on how the acidity just wrecks bacteria, which is awesome for scalp health.
- Cuts Through Buildup: Whether it’s oils, dead skin, or leftover product, ACV dissolves it like nobody’s business. My brushes come out feelin’ brand spankin’ new.
- Cheap as Chips: A bottle of this stuff costs next to nothin’ compared to fancy cleaners. I grab a big jug at the store, and it lasts forever for cleanin’ and even some hair rinses.
- Bonus Hair Shine: Some folks say the enzymes or whatever in ACV can condition bristles a tad, especially natural ones. I dunno if it’s true, but my boar bristle brush seems happier after an ACV bath.
- Eco-Friendly Choice: Usin’ this instead of chemical sprays means less junk goin’ down the drain or into the environment. We’re doin’ a lil’ somethin’ for Mother Earth while we’re at it.
I’ve even used it to clean my makeup brushes with the same steps, and it works like a charm. Just tweak the soakin’ time if they’re super caked with foundation or whatever.
What If Things Go Sideways?
Sometimes, stuff don’t go as planned, and I’ve been there. Here’s a quick troubleshoot for common hiccups:
- Brush Got Mold or Mildew? If you spot fuzzy stuff or a musty smell, sorry to say, but it’s prob’ly time to toss it. Cleanin’ might not get it all, and you don’t wanna risk your scalp. I had to ditch one once, and it sucked, but better safe than sorry.
- Still Sticky After Cleanin’? Double down with a drop of mild dish soap in your ACV mix. Soak a bit longer, maybe 40 minutes, and scrub again. Works for me when hairspray’s glued on tight.
- Brush Feels Weird After? If the bristles seem off or bent, you mighta used water too hot or dried it wrong. Stick to warm water next time and air dry bristles down. I’ve warped a cheap brush before—lesson learned.
Keepin’ Your Brushes Happy Long-Term
Cleanin’ is just half the battle. To keep your brushes in tip-top shape, store ‘em in a dry, clean spot after each use. Don’t just chuck ‘em in a drawer full of dust. I’ve got a lil’ organizer on my vanity where mine live, and it helps avoid buildup. Also, yank out hair after every brushin’ session if you can—it’s way easier than dealin’ with a giant hairball later. Takes 10 seconds, swear.
If you’ve got multiple brushes, rotate cleanin’ days so you’re not doin’ ‘em all at once. I clean my daily paddle brush every couple weeks, but my fancy detanglin’ one gets a monthly spa ‘cause I use it less. And hey, if you share brushes with fam or roommates, clean more often—germs spread quick that way.
Why This Trick’s a Game-Changer
I’ve tried a buncha ways to clean
WHY CLEAN YOUR TOOLS?
First of all, you may be thinking that the simple removal of trapped hairs is enough to clean your hair brushes and combs, and I understand the logic behind your thinking. The hairs are out and your tools look so much better already, right?! Yes, a quick look may tell you that, but the reality is your brushes and combs are not properly clean yet you need to sanitise them.
Just as you clean your makeup brushes (I hope you do) to avoid clogged pores, bacterial growth and all, you need to clean you hair brushes and combs too. Your hair tools harbour a whole host of things in it and some are not good at all. Let me tell you, your tools trap hair, dust, dirt, oils, product build-up, odours, and they can even have mites. Just thinking about it and I get the urge to scratch my scalp, don’t you?
Additionally, if you have dandruff, a flaky scalp, and other scalp conditions it is a good idea to clean your tools every week or at least once a month. Just imagine the hairbrush you like so much, that has never been cleaned or very rarely so, sliding down your hair strands and depositing all the gunk in your hair and scalp. Yes, all the oils, dirt, dandruff, product build up… literally E-VE-RY-THING that is in your hair tools. I shiver just thinking about it (it’s a nasty picture up there, isn’t it?).
This is why many times your hair may lack shine and look limp. Or the reason why your tools may not perform as well as they did in the beginning (not to mention you could be growing something up there, yuck!). To avoid all this maybe we should go straight to the cleaning guide shall we?
Step 1| HAIR REMOVAL
For this, you can go as simple or as fancy as you want, but you will need some tools to help get the job done, after all if we’re cleaning we might as well do it properly. First of all, you need something that will help you remove the hairs out of your tools, especially your brushes. You can use 1) a simple pen (as it’s pointy), 2) a hairbrush cleaner or a 3) Denman cleaning brush and 4) a scissor to help cut through the hairs (you’ll see why later).
- Start by using tools number 1, 2 or 3 to lift the hairs out of your hair brush. Start at the base of your brush and pull the hairs up. For a comb, just use your hands to remove all the hair, it quite easy you know. Oh, if you have a tail comb you can also it to lift the hair.
- Now, grab your scissor and cut across the hairs. Using the scissor will make removing the hairs easier, but you can also pull them out with your hands.
Now, is when you get rid of all the dirt, dust, product build-up, oil and the whole lot. There are two ways you can go about this, you can soak your tools or you can clean them without soaking. My advice is if your hair tools are made out of hard plastic or metal soak them. If, however, they are made of wood, your brush has a rubber cushion and/or has natural or combination bristles I would not soak these tools as you risk damage and short life span.
A wood tool, when soaked will enlarge, which will crack any varnish it has, can get mouldy stains, change colour or break with time. Tools with a rubber cushion and natural/combination bristles will tend to absorb cleaning products that will damage them over time. For this step, you’ll need 1) Warm Water, 2) a Washing Bowl or Spray Bottle, 3) a toothbrush or your Denman Cleaning Brush and 4) a Clarifying Shampoo, but you can also use dish soap or a vegetable soap and 5) a Toothbrush.
SOAKING METHOD (Plastic or Metal Tools)
- Place the warm water in your washing bowl.
- Pour some clarifying shampoo to make a soapy/foamy liquid to place your tools in. I like using a clarifying shampoo because it removes all dirt, oil and product build-up. Even if you’re not able to remove all your curly hairs, at least, they’ll be squicky clean. Alternatively, you can use dish soap, vegetable soap or a baby shampoo.
- Place all your plastic and metal tools inside and let them rest for 5 minutes to soften all the gunk and any remaining hair.
- Once the soaking time is over remove any residual hairs, grab your brush or comb and with a toothbrush or your Denman Cleaning Brush work to remove all dirt, oil and hair products. Brush at the base of the brush/comb, around the bristles/comb teeth.
- Rinse your tools under running water and let them rest while you prepare a sanitising wash.
SWIRL METHOD (Wood, Rubber Cushion, Natural or Combination Bristles)
- Prepare cleansing water as in the soaking method.
- If you prefer using a more gentle shampoo that’s perfectly fine.
- Grab your hair tool from the handle and swirl it in the soapy water, don’t immerse it! Dip it enough to have the bristles wet and do it for 1 to 2 minutes, if you leave it for too long the bristles will absorb the water in.
- If you still have any trapped hairs remove them and then use your fingers, toothbrush or the Denman Cleaning Brush (yes, it’s very handy!) to “massage” the bristles facilitating the release of gunk.
- Rinse bristles under running water or in a bowl with clean water (swirl).
- Repeat if you think it’s necessary. Rest your comb or your brush face down on a towel and let it dry. It will take longer to dry than a plastic brush with synthetic bristles.
How to Clean Combs and Brushes with Apple Cider Vinegar | Easy DIY Cleaning Hack
FAQ
Can you use apple cider vinegar to clean hair brushes?
- Mix water with 1 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar.
- Swirl your bristle brush in this water for a few minutes (don’t wet the rubber cushion).
- Rinse under water massaging the bristles and shake to remove excess water.
- Rest your brush face down on a towel until dry.
What is the best solution to clean a hairbrush?
Apply a warm, soapy water blend to the bristles.
Mixing warm water with clarifying shampoo or dish soap will create a cleansing agent that can break down oils and product residue from your brush. You can fully submerge metal or ceramic brushes in this mixture.
How do hairdressers sanitize their brushes?
In the US, we remove all hair/debris from the brush or comb, scrub it with soap and hot water, and then immerse it in Barbicide (broad spectrum disinfectant) for a long time before repeat use on another client.
How long to soak a hairbrush in vinegar?
How to clean your hairbrush with vinegar? For a deeper clean, you can soak your brushes in ½ cup of white vinegar and water. Soak for 20 to 30 minutes before scrubbing with soap and rinsing.
How do you clean a hairbrush?
Here is how you can clean your hairbrush with these powerful ingredients: Fill a container with warm water and blend 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1/4 cup of white vinegar. Dip your hair combs and brushes in the solution and swirl them around for a few seconds. Allow them to soak in the solution for 30 minutes.
How to clean a hairbrush using vinegar?
To clean a hairbrush with vinegar, first rinse the brush to remove impurities. Then, wrap it in a clean towel and either let it air dry or use a hairdryer to dry it quickly. Vinegar emits a strong odor, so it’s essential to cleanse the brush to remove the odor as well.
Can you use apple cider vinegar to Clean Makeup Brushes?
Apple cider vinegar can be used for a mirage of things, from salad dressings to toning your face. It should be no surprise then that this household item can be used to clean makeup brushes too. Combine one cup of warm water with a teaspoon of vinegar and clean as you would with our vinegar + lemon directions.
Does vinegar clean hairbrush bristles?
Vinegar is a natural cleanser that kills bacteria, mold, and mildew. Hairbrush bristles are breeding grounds for bacteria; cleaning them often with white vinegar will disinfect the surface and prevent further damage. Hairbrushes and combs attract grime over time, especially if you have long hair or reside in a humid area.
Does vinegar & baking soda damage combs & hairbrushes?
No, vinegar and baking soda will not damage combs and hairbrushes as they work as disinfectant and cleansing agents. (3) Hairbrushes attract hair bacteria and fungi; if you don’t clean them, these microorganisms will be transferred repeatedly to your hair, thus compromising your hair and scalp health.
Can vinegar be used to clean a brush?
While vinegar alone may not clean the grease from the brush effectively, it can be used to clean a brush. However, it has a strong odor and those with sensitivity issues may need to use gloves when washing the brush with vinegar.