How to Clean Hair Brushes Properly

Contents:

Why Your Hair Brushes Need Regular Cleaning
How to Clean Hair Brushes: The Basic Weekly Method
What You’ll Need
Step-by-Step Process
Deep Cleaning Methods for Heavy Buildup
The Vinegar Soak Method
The Baking Soda Paste Method
The Hot Water Soak (For Non-Plastic Handles)
Special Considerations for Different Brush Types
Paddle Brushes
Round Brushes
Fine-Tooth Combs
Wooden Brushes
Creating a Cleaning Schedule and Budget
Spring (March-May)
Summer (June-August)
Autumn (September-November)
Winter (December-February)
Budget Estimate
Signs Your Brush Needs Immediate Attention
Preventing Future Buildup: Maintenance Tips
Store Brushes Properly
Use a Bristle Guard
Clean Your Brush During Your Hair Routine
Reduce Product Buildup at the Source
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my hair brush?
Can I put my brush in the dishwasher?
What’s the best thing to use when learning how to clean hair brushes naturally?
Why does my brush still smell bad after washing?
Should I soak my wooden brush?

You reach for your hairbrush on a Monday morning and notice it’s looking a bit… well, grimy. There’s a buildup of hair, dust, and product residue tangled around the bristles that’s been accumulating for weeks. You think about washing it but aren’t quite sure where to start. Should you just rinse it? Use shampoo? How often should you actually be doing this?

That scenario is more common than you might think. Many of us use our hair brushes daily without giving much thought to cleaning them properly. Yet a dirty brush doesn’t just feel unpleasant—it can transfer old oils, dead skin cells, and bacteria back onto your freshly washed hair. It also reduces your brush’s effectiveness and shortens its lifespan significantly.

The good news is that how to clean hair brushes is straightforward once you know the basics. Whether you’re dealing with a paddle brush, round brush, or fine-tooth comb, there are simple methods that work brilliantly without requiring specialised cleaning products. This guide covers everything you need to know, from quick weekly maintenance to deep cleaning treatments that restore your brushes to like-new condition.

Why Your Hair Brushes Need Regular Cleaning

Your brush is one of the tools that spends the most time in contact with your hair, yet it’s often overlooked during bathroom cleaning routines. Each time you brush your hair, you’re collecting shed hair (humans lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day naturally), along with dust particles, product buildup from styling serums and dry shampoo, and dead skin cells from your scalp.

Over two weeks of regular use, a brush can accumulate enough debris to visibly impact its performance. The bristles become stiff and less effective at detangling. When you use a dirty brush, you’re essentially reapplying all that buildup to your clean hair, which can leave it looking dull and flat rather than shiny and bouncy.

There’s also a hygiene factor worth considering. A damp brush left in a bathroom is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and mildew. If your scalp is already oily or you have any scalp sensitivity, using a dirty brush can make these issues worse. Regular cleaning takes only a few minutes and can meaningfully extend the life of your brush—potentially saving you £15-£30 per brush annually by avoiding premature replacement.

How to Clean Hair Brushes: The Basic Weekly Method

For routine maintenance, you don’t need anything fancy. Most people can keep their brushes clean with items already under the bathroom sink.

What You’ll Need

Warm running water
A little regular shampoo or mild dish soap
An old toothbrush or small scrub brush (optional but helpful)
A clean towel

Step-by-Step Process

Remove loose hair: Hold your brush over a bin and use your fingers to pull out any hair wrapped around the bristles. For rounded brushes, run your finger down the length to collect hair efficiently. This takes 30 seconds and prevents hair from clogging your drain.
Rinse with warm water: Run the brush under warm (not hot) water, bristles facing downward. Let the water flow through the bristles to rinse away dust and loose particles. Spend about 20 seconds here.
Apply soap: Put a small amount of shampoo or dish soap directly onto the bristles, or dip the bristles into a bowl of soapy water. A one-penny-sized amount is plenty.
Scrub gently: Use an old toothbrush, or the side of your finger, to work the soap through the bristles. Pay particular attention to the base where the bristles meet the handle—that’s where product and skin cells accumulate most. Gentle circular motions work better than aggressive scrubbing, which can damage the bristles.
Rinse thoroughly: Run the brush under clean running water again until all soap is removed. Make sure you’ve eliminated any suds from between the bristles.
Dry properly: Pat the brush with a clean towel, bristles facing down. Then stand it bristles-up on a clean surface to air dry completely before using it again. Leaving it damp can encourage mildew growth.

This entire process takes about five minutes once a week and keeps your brush in good working condition.

Deep Cleaning Methods for Heavy Buildup

Every 4-6 weeks, depending on how much product you use in your hair, your brushes will benefit from a deeper clean. This is especially important if you use dry shampoo, texturising sprays, or heat styling products regularly—these create stubborn residue that regular rinsing won’t fully remove.

The Vinegar Soak Method

White vinegar is a natural powerhouse for dissolving product buildup without any chemical harshness. One customer, Sarah from Bristol, noticed her paddle brush was looking yellowed and the bristles felt sticky even after washing. After a single vinegar soak, the brush looked renewed—she was amazed at how much cleaner it felt.

To use this method:

Fill a bowl or sink with equal parts warm water and white vinegar (for example, 500ml of each).
Remove any loose hair from your brush first.
Submerge the bristles in the vinegar solution and let it soak for 15-20 minutes. The vinegar breaks down product residue and mineral deposits.
Use an old toothbrush to gently scrub the bristles while they’re still in the solution.
Rinse thoroughly under clean running water multiple times to remove the vinegar smell.
Stand the brush bristles-up to air dry.

The smell of vinegar fades completely once dry, so don’t worry about your brush smelling like salad dressing afterward.

The Baking Soda Paste Method

For brushes with really stubborn buildup, baking soda works brilliantly. It’s mildly abrasive, which helps lift gunk without harming bristles.

Mix three tablespoons of baking soda with a little warm water to create a thick paste.
Apply this paste to your brush bristles and work it through gently with an old toothbrush.
Let it sit for 10 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly under warm running water.
Air dry bristles-up.

You can also combine both methods: do a 15-minute vinegar soak first, then scrub with a baking soda paste for maximum cleaning power.

The Hot Water Soak (For Non-Plastic Handles)

Wooden or ceramic-handled brushes can handle hot water better than plastic. Simply fill a bowl with hot (not boiling) water, add a tablespoon of shampoo, and let your brush soak for 20 minutes. The heat helps open up the bristles and release trapped debris more effectively than lukewarm water. This method is particularly useful during winter months when your bathroom might be chilly and water temperatures are lower naturally.

Special Considerations for Different Brush Types

Paddle Brushes

Paddle brushes have large, flat surfaces and dense bristle patterns, making them prone to trapping hair and product. Pay extra attention to the gaps between bristle rows. When soaking these brushes, ensure the bristle bed is fully submerged. If you have a vented paddle brush (with holes throughout), water and soap can flow through these vents, which is ideal for thorough cleaning.

Round Brushes

Round barrel brushes are trickier because hair wraps around them in spirals. Removing the loose hair thoroughly before washing is crucial—you may need to use a comb or your fingers to pick out wrapped hair. After cleaning, stand these brushes with the bristle end up so moisture doesn’t get trapped inside the barrel where it can cause damage over time.

Fine-Tooth Combs

These delicate tools need gentler handling. Never use abrasive scrubbing on fine teeth—a simple soak in soapy water followed by a gentle rinse is usually sufficient. If buildup is heavy, hold the comb under running water and use your thumbnail to gently scrape between teeth rather than using a brush.

Wooden Brushes

Avoid prolonged soaking of wooden-handled brushes, as excess water can cause the wood to swell or warp. Instead, dip just the bristle portion into soapy water, scrub quickly, and dry immediately with a towel. Never put wooden brushes in the dishwasher.

Creating a Cleaning Schedule and Budget

Staying on top of brush cleaning is much easier with a simple routine. Here’s a suggested seasonal timeline:

Spring (March-May)

This is ideal for a deep clean and refresh routine. Winter months mean more indoor heating, which dries out hair and leads to more static-fighting dry shampoo use. Your brushes have probably accumulated quite a bit. Schedule a comprehensive cleaning in early March and then establish weekly maintenance habits as the weather improves.

Summer (June-August)

During warmer months, maintain your weekly washing routine. However, if you’re using any sun protection sprays or beach-texture products, you might want to increase deep cleaning to every three weeks instead of every 4-6 weeks. The salty air and sun products create different buildup than winter styling products.

Autumn (September-November)

As you transition back to heavier styling products, revert to every 4-6 weeks for deep cleans. September is a good time to assess your brush collection—if any are past their prime, this is when to replace them before winter arrives.

Winter (December-February)

Winter brings more indoor heating and typically more dry shampoo and heat styling. Stick to weekly washes and monthly deep cleans. Make it part of your relaxation routine on a Sunday evening—perhaps while listening to a podcast.

Budget Estimate

The cost of maintaining your brushes is minimal:

White vinegar: approximately £1.50 per bottle (lasts 3-4 months with regular brush cleaning)
Baking soda: approximately £1 per box (lasts 6+ months)
Shampoo: you’re already using this, so no extra cost
Total annual cost of brush maintenance: £3-5 per brush

Compare this to replacing a quality brush every 12-18 months (£20-40 per replacement) and regular maintenance becomes an obvious investment.

Signs Your Brush Needs Immediate Attention

Beyond regular maintenance, watch for these warning signs that your brush needs urgent cleaning or replacement:

Bristles that feel sticky or stiff even after washing
Visible mould or discolouration on the bristles
An unpleasant smell that doesn’t disappear after cleaning
Bristles falling out regularly (a few is normal, but excessive loss indicates damage)
Bristles that no longer detangle effectively and seem to pull hair
Bristles that are bent or flattened permanently

If you notice mould or a smell that persists after multiple cleaning attempts, it’s time to replace the brush rather than continuing to use it.

Preventing Future Buildup: Maintenance Tips

Store Brushes Properly

Keep your brushes in a dry place with good air circulation. A cup or holder with bristles facing up is ideal. Avoid storing damp brushes in closed containers or drawers where moisture can’t escape. If your bathroom tends to be steamy, consider storing brushes in your bedroom instead.

Use a Bristle Guard

Many brushes come with a protective bristle cover. Use it when storing brushes, especially if travelling. It prevents dust from settling on the bristles between uses.

Clean Your Brush During Your Hair Routine

Make brush cleaning part of your regular hair care ritual rather than a separate chore. If you wash your hair on Sunday mornings, clean your brush at the same time. This habit ensures consistency and prevents buildup from accumulating unexpectedly.

Reduce Product Buildup at the Source

While this won’t eliminate the need for brush cleaning, using slightly less dry shampoo and texturising spray means less accumulates on your brush. You might also try products specifically formulated to be easier to brush out, which some premium hair care brands now offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean my hair brush?

Weekly washing with warm water and soap is the baseline for regular maintenance. Deep cleaning every 4-6 weeks (or every 3 weeks if you use lots of styling products) keeps brushes in optimal condition. The exact frequency depends on your hair type, product use, and how often you brush your hair.

Can I put my brush in the dishwasher?

Only if it’s a plastic brush with no wooden components or metal bristles. High heat can warp plastic handles and damage bristles. Hand washing is gentler and more effective. If you have a wooden-handled brush, never put it in the dishwasher as the heat and moisture will damage the wood.

What’s the best thing to use when learning how to clean hair brushes naturally?

White vinegar and baking soda are the two most effective natural options. Vinegar dissolves product residue and mineral buildup, while baking soda gently scrubs away stubborn debris. Either can be used alone or combined for powerful deep cleaning without any harsh chemicals.

Why does my brush still smell bad after washing?

If the smell persists after regular washing, try a vinegar soak for 20 minutes—vinegar neutralises odour-causing bacteria. If the smell returns immediately after cleaning, it could indicate mould growing inside the bristle bed, which means the brush should be replaced rather than cleaned.

Should I soak my wooden brush?

No, prolonged soaking damages wood. Instead, rinse just the bristle portion under warm water, apply shampoo, scrub gently, rinse again, and dry immediately with a towel. Keep water contact as brief as possible.

The key to healthy, effective hair brushes is consistency rather than complicated methods. A few minutes of weekly maintenance and occasional deep cleaning keeps your tools in excellent condition, saves you money on replacements, and most importantly, means your freshly washed hair stays cleaner and healthier-looking for longer. Start with this week—pick one brush, run it through the basic washing process, and notice the difference a truly clean brush makes on your next wash day.