How To Clean Hair Brush

Your Hair Brush is… Kinda Gross, Isn’t It?

Go ahead, take a look at your hair brush. I’ll wait. See all that hair, dust, and that weird gray lint wedged at the base of the bristles? Yep. That’s a lovely mix of old hair, product buildup, skin cells, and dust. Yum.

Using a dirty brush on clean hair is like using a dirty sponge to wash clean dishes. It just moves the gunk around. Don’t worry — giving it a deep clean is way easier than it looks.

This clean hair brush guide will show you how to get your brush looking brand new in just a few simple steps. Let’s give that brush a much-needed spa day.

 

 

Step 1: First, Get All the Hair Out

Before we can wash it, we’ve gotta de-fuzz that thing. You can’t clean the brush if it’s covered in a web of your own hair. It’s the most satisfying first step.

 

 

Start with your fingers

Just pull out the big, loose clumps of hair. Get as much as you can this way. Easy enough, right?

 

 

Bring in the tools

For the stubborn stuff that’s woven in tight, you’ll need a little help. Grab a pen, a rat-tail comb, or even a pair of tweezers to lift the hair up and out from the base of the bristles. If it’s really matted, you can carefully snip the hair with small scissors — just be super careful not to cut the bristles!

My favorite trick is using a cheap, fine-tooth comb. Just rake it through the bristles from the bottom up, and it’ll pull everything with it.

 

 

Step 2: Time for a Little Bath

Now that the hair is gone, it’s time to tackle the grime. But hold on! Not all brushes can go for a full swim. The material of your brush handle and cushion matters a lot here.

 

 

For plastic or ceramic brushes

These guys are durable and can handle being submerged. Fill a small bowl or your sink with warm water. Add a few drops of a gentle shampoo or some clear dish soap. I like to add a teaspoon of baking soda to really break down product buildup.

Plop your brush in, give it a good swirl, and let it soak for about 10-15 minutes. This will loosen all that stubborn gunk.

 

 

For wooden or boar bristle brushes

Listen up, because this is the part everyone messes up. Do NOT submerge a wooden brush! Water can warp the wood and ruin the cushion. Instead, you’ll give it a “bristles-only” bath.

Use the same soapy water mix, but only dip the bristles in, keeping the wooden handle and pad completely dry. Don’t let it soak. Just dip, scrub, and you’re good.

 

 

Step 3: Get Scrubbing

Soaking loosened everything up, but now we need to physically remove the grime. This is where the magic happens.

Grab an old, clean toothbrush. Dip it into your soapy water and gently scrub the base of the brush and in between all the bristle rows. You’ll see all that gray-ish stuff start to disappear.

Pay special attention to the very bottom of the bristles where they meet the pad. That’s where most of the oils and product residue hang out.

 

 

Step 4: The Final Rinse and Dry

You’re almost done! Rinsing and drying properly is the secret to avoiding a mildewy brush. Nobody wants that.

 

 

Rinse it really, really well

Run the brush under cool, clean water. Make sure you get all the soap out. Any leftover suds can leave a film on your brush, which then ends up in your hair.

 

 

Here’s the drying trick

First, give the brush a good shake over the sink to get rid of excess water. Then, lay it on a clean towel with the BRISTLES FACING DOWN.

Why bristle-down? This lets all the water drain out of the cushion and base. If you lay it bristle-up, water pools inside and can cause mildew or break down the glue. Let it air dry completely, which might take overnight.

 

 

A Few Pro Tips for a Happy Brush

Want to keep your brush cleaner for longer? Of course you do. Hair brush cleaning shouldn’t be a major project every time.

Try to pull the loose hair out of your brush after every use. It takes five seconds and makes a huge difference. This is the single best habit you can start in 2026 for your hair tools.

Do a quick clean once a week (just getting the hair out) and a deep-clean bath like this once a month. If you use a lot of dry shampoo or styling products, you might want to do it every couple of weeks.

 

 

See? Good as New!

And that’s it! Your brush is now squeaky clean and ready to go. You’ll probably notice a difference in how your hair feels and styles without all that old gunk getting in the way.

It’s a small task that feels surprisingly good to get done. Now go enjoy your fresh, clean brush!