The Proper Way to Clean a Hairbrush and/or Comb

It doesn't take long for a new brush or comb to look old. A clean hair brush is imperative for healthy looking hair. Brushes, combs, and picks easily collect hairspray, gel and other hair products. As hair utensils are frequently used, they also retain dead skin cells from the scalp.

Using a dirty hairbrush or comb can cause clean hair to look dirty or oily. Salons always use clean hair utensils because they know it's the best way to get a great look. Salons soak their combs and brushes in a disinfectant called Barbercide. Not everyone has this at home or can afford to purchase this product. However, here's an inexpensive home remedy for the proper way to clean hairbrushes and combs:

COLLECT all hairbrushes, combs, and picks. Use the combs or picks to remove hair from brushes. Discard hair in a garbage can because putting it down the drain only backs up the pipes.

FILL SINK with hot soapy water. Use shampoo or body wash. Any type of liquid soap works well. Shampoos are a better choice since they are formulated to remove dandruff, dead skin cells, and hair product buildup. Furthermore, shampoos smell great and leave a nice fragrance for your hair brushes.

PLACE combs, brushes, and picks in soapy water and swish around. Hold the hair utensils by the handles and swish by stirring them in the water. This helps loosen up the dirt and oils that has dried to them.

LEAVE hair utensils in the water all day. Every hour or so swish them around vigorously to help remove the gunk buildup. There may be floating pieces of gunk in the water. Do not be alarmed. This may look disgusting, but it's probably just dead skin cells. Use the comb to scrub the brush (at the bottom of the bristles). This removes dandruff, skin cells, and other buildups.

DRAIN WATER, then rinse combs, brushes, and picks with cool water. Cool water removes soap easier than warm or hot water. Wipe with a towel. If gunk still persists, repeat the entire process.

It's normal to repeat the process a few times if the utensils have not been cleaned in a long time. After seeing how much buildup hair utensils collect, it really makes one want to keep them clean. After all, since salons use clean combs, brushes, and picks to promote healthy hair and produce a great hairstyle, shouldn't you?