To clean a hairbrush: First lift out loose hair and brush away dust between the bristles or pins. Then wash it only as the manufacturer recommends for the whole brush, including its handle, bristles and cushion. Let it dry completely before using or storing it.
A washable plastic brush and a brush made with wood, natural bristles or a soft cushion may need different care. This guide helps you choose a method without assuming that every brush should be soaked.
Quick guide: clean your hairbrush in three steps
- Remove debris while dry. Lift out hair with your fingers or a comb. Gently brush lint and dust away from the base of the pins.
- Wash according to its construction. Read the care instructions for your model. Use water and cleanser only if the manufacturer permits them.
- Let it dry completely. Follow the instructions for drying position and time. The drying advice for one brush may not suit another.
Remove debris first, wash as directed and let the brush dry completely.
Choose a method for the whole brush
Check the handle, brush head, base and any soft parts. If you do not know what a component is made of, start with dry cleaning and check the manufacturer's instructions before using water.
| Brush type | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Plastic brush the manufacturer says you can wash | Remove hair first. Then gently clean between the pins, rinse and dry as directed for that model. Plastic does not automatically mean that the brush should be soaked. |
| Wooden handle, natural bristles or mixed materials | Avoid prolonged exposure to water. Check the instructions for that brush before wetting the brush head. |
| Soft cushion, glued parts or unknown construction | Start dry. Find out what the whole brush can tolerate before submerging it in water. |
| Electric brush or hot brush | Follow the appliance's own cleaning instructions; the steps for ordinary hairbrushes do not necessarily apply. |
An example of a brush with several materials. The photo shows its construction, not a cleaning step.
Our beechwood hairbrush with natural boar bristles and nylon pins also has a natural rubber cushion. Care for the complete brush as directed, rather than treating it as though it consisted only of plastic pins.
Remove hair and dust first
Get a comb, a clean soft toothbrush or cleaning brush, and a towel. You do not need to buy a special tool to begin.
- Lift out the hair. Use your fingers or carefully work a comb between the rows. Work in small sections if hair is caught, and avoid pulling on pins or bristles.
- Brush between the pins. Work gently from different angles with the soft cleaning brush. Put loose hair and lint in the bin.
- Check the base. If grey or sticky buildup remains around the pins, continue with a washing method that your brush can tolerate.
Hair strands and product buildup are different things. Focus on the buildup where it sits instead of scrubbing the whole brush harder.
Wash the hairbrush according to its care instructions
Plastic brush that can be washed with water
Use lukewarm water and the mild cleanser recommended by the manufacturer. Wet a clean soft toothbrush, work gently between the pins and across the base, then rinse as directed for the model.
Tangle Teezer's advice for its brushes, for example, is to use soap and warm water, clean between the teeth with a clean toothbrush, rinse, and air-dry with the teeth facing up. This is a model-specific example, not an instruction for every plastic brush. Do not leave your brush in water unless its care instructions explicitly allow it.
Wood, natural bristles or a delicate cushion
With a wooden brush, clean the areas where dirt collects without leaving the wood wet. Use a little mild shampoo if your model's care instructions call for it. Work gently between the bristles and pins, then rinse as the manufacturer directs.
For the BACHCA brush in our range, remove hair, clean gently with a little mild shampoo, and rinse briefly without soaking the wooden handle. Then leave it on a clean towel, bristles facing down, to air-dry for about a day. This follows BACHCA's directions for its beechwood, boar-bristle and nylon brush.
Does your brush combine natural bristles and synthetic pins? Follow the instructions for the whole brush. A few plastic pins do not automatically make a wooden handle or cushion suitable for soaking.
Let the brush dry the right way
Wipe the handle and let the brush dry completely before using or storing it. BACHCA specifies bristles down on a clean towel and about 24 hours of air-drying for its model. Tangle Teezer instead says to dry its brushes with the teeth facing up. Follow the drying position for your model.
Do not try to speed up the BACHCA brush's drying with strong direct heat; the manufacturer advises against it. Choose a time when you can leave the brush out until it is dry.
Do you need baking soda or vinegar?
No home remedy is needed as a first step. BACHCA specifies mild shampoo for its brush, while Tangle Teezer describes soap and water for its models. Start with the method the manufacturer approves for your particular brush.
If buildup remains, check that you reached between the pins and gently repeat the permitted cleaning method. A general baking-soda or vinegar recipe cannot tell you what a particular finish, cushion or natural bristle can tolerate.
How often should you clean a hairbrush?
Lift out loose hairs when you use the brush and check between the pins regularly. Visible lint or sticky buildup tells you that it is time to clean. If you use a lot of dry shampoo or styling products, you may need to check more often.
Let the brush's condition and its manufacturer's advice guide washing. You do not need to wet a delicate brush each time you remove a few hairs.
When is cleaning not enough?
Check the pins, bristles and cushion once the brush is clean. Washing will not repair a cracked cushion or damaged pins. Stop using a damaged brush and check whether the manufacturer offers replacement parts or recommends replacing it.
If the brush is intact and works well, keep looking after the one you have. For more tools for your routine, explore our hair wash and styling tools.