Can you tell me how to clean a hairbrush with baking soda? Will it work on natural hair bristles?
Mary Underwood, Richardson, TX
I’m happy you asked how to clean hairbrush, as this is a task that often gets neglected or is never done at all. But, it’s important to protect yourself against bacteria and allergens like mites that you could get from your brushes. Plan on cleaning your brush at least once a month if not once a week.
Yes, you’ll need baking soda for cleaning a brush. You’ll also want shampoo, water, an old toothbrush, scissors, a pen, and a garbage bag. To begin, use scissors to cut hair between the bristles and the pen to loosen it. Throw the discarded hair in the garbage bag. Never wash it down the sink or throw it in the toilet or you could end up with a clog that requires some work to remove.
Now stir a teaspoon each of shampoo and baking soda into a cup of warm water. Use the toothbrush to apply the mixture to the base and the bristles of the brush. You’ll find that it easily removes the caked-on debris. Once everything is clean, rinse thoroughly and let the brush dry. For more details about effective brush cleaning, check out our cleaning hair brush cleaning tips.
Next, to clean a comb, gather up vinegar, baking soda, shampoo, and warm water. It also helps to have a toothpick. Try shampooing the comb first. If that doesn’t do the trick, soak it in a mixture of one part baking soda to one part vinegar. Of course, the toothpick can help you clean the crevices.
For natural bristle brushes, use shampoo and water only. You won’t need the baking soda. First, use a comb to remove excess hair from among the boar bristles. Then soak the brush in a bowl filled with hot water and a squirt of shampoo.
Rinse it well with cold water and let it air dry. If the handle is made from wood, do not soak the brush as you could damage it. Instead, use a toothbrush to work the debris from the base and rinse.
While you are taking care of your hairbrushes, it is also a good time to clean toothbrushes, too. The best way to sanitize a toothbrush is by soaking it in a cup of mouthwash and rinsing well. Air dry. Replacing your toothbrush every two to three months is also a great way to keep from spreading germs.