How to clean your hairbrush (And why it is important)?

Seemingly of very little significance, a hairbrush plays a very important role in the overall look and health of our hair. Since it collects hair strands, hair product residue like dry shampoos, anti-frizz serums, curl setting aids, and setting sprays, and most importantly dead cells on its bristles, keeping it clean should be a very important part of our haircare routine. 

The 50-100 hair strands we lose daily end up getting tangled in our hairbrushes. A hairbrush acts like a sponge, collecting dust, mites, and natural oils and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and other pathogens. Without cleaning your hairbrush, you will just be transferring all those things to your hair again. Thinking that your hairbrush doesn’t need to be cleaned regularly? Think again! 

How to clean your hairbrush? 

Here are some easy and effective ways you can clean your hairbrush.   

Step 1: Removing broken hair 

A lot of hairs get broken when brushing and get stuck in the hairbrush. To avoid rubbing your hair with dead strands, get rid of all those dead hairs. You can remove them simply by pulling them off using a fine-toothed comb and using scissors to cut them up if they’re stuck. 

Step 2: Soak in warm water 

Soak your bristles in lukewarm water with any mild soap till you feel like all the dirt is out. 

Step 3: Rinse 

Rinse it under running water to get rid of anything that is stuck on the hairbrush. Then leave it in the air or under the sun so it can dry up completely. 

How often should you clean your hairbrush? 

There are no set time frames that can tell you how often your hairbrush should be cleaned, as the frequency depends on the type and quantity of hair products used on a daily basis. If you have long and thick hair, you should clean your brushes and combs more often. 

Similarly, if you use a lot of styling products like styling creams, gels, and/or hairsprays, you should clean your hair brush on a regular basis. But even if you don't use any chemical-based products, you should still do a thorough cleaning of the hairbrush at least every week or two.