Regularly cleaning your hairbrush prevents buildup of dead skin cells, dandruff, bacteria, and fungi.

Proper personal hygiene goes much further than brushing your teeth and bathing.

Regularly washing your bath mat, replacing old toothbrushes with new ones, washing bedding weekly, and cleaning out your hairbrush are all part of maintaining individual cleanliness.

Sunkissed Hair Loft haircare specialists in Royal Palm Beach, Florida, discussed with Planet Chronicle Digital the significance of regular cleaning, the consequences of neglect, practical deep cleaning methods, the enigma of gray fuzz, and the professional techniques employed by hairdressers.

Here's a deep dive.

How often should you clean a hairbrush?

Regularly cleaning your hairbrush is important for maintaining its effectiveness and promoting healthy hair.

Nicole Montalvo, a lived-in color and extension specialist and Florida salon owner, advised Planet Chronicle Digital that regardless of your hair type, you should clean your hairbrush with cleansing alcohol once a week and thoroughly cleanse at least once a month.

A simple cleaning method is crucial for maintaining your hairbrush's effectiveness as a styling tool and promoting good hair hygiene.

What happens if you don't clean your hairbrush?

Failing to clean your hairbrush leads to the accumulation of hair, product residue, and oils, which can foster bacterial and fungal growth.

Using a dirty hairbrush can lead to clogged pores, slow hair growth, skin irritation, and damage, as Ashley Oldham, a Florida-based color and extension specialist, explained to Planet Chronicle Digital. The longer you use an unclean brush, the more contaminants are transferred back to your hair.

Using a dirty brush for a specific purpose can affect the effectiveness of the product applied to the hair. Similarly, using a dirty makeup brush to apply makeup to the skin can affect the ease and effectiveness of the makeup application.

Tangled and dull-looking hair can result from using a less effective hairbrush due to accumulated debris.

How do you deep clean a hairbrush?

A simple yet effective way to deep clean your hairbrush is by using only a few essential items.

1. Gentle shampoo
2. A warm bowl of water
3. 1–2 teaspoons of lemon juice
4. Baking soda

To remove hair from your brush, let plastic hairbrushes soak for at least 5 minutes. If you have a wooden brush, avoid submerging the entire brush and instead dip and shake it several times to loosen and remove oils, dead skin cells, and product buildup, as advised by Alyssa Pantano, a Florida-based color and extension specialist, to Planet Chronicle Digital.

To prevent hair loss and scalp issues, it is important to maintain a healthy and balanced scalp microbiome, which serves as the foundation for hair growth, as advised by Pantano.

Why is there gray fuzz in my hairbrush?

Look out for gray lint particles on your brush to determine if it needs cleaning.

Montalvo stated that the gray lint in hairbrushes is a result of the accumulation of oils, dead skin cells, or dandruff, along with remaining hair products. If the entire brush is covered in lint, it's time to replace it with a new one.

Regularly cleaning your hairbrush can prevent fuzz buildup and maintain its effectiveness in your hair care routine.

What do hairdressers use to clean hairbrushes?

Sunkissed Hair Loft's team advocates for a non-toxic approach in their hair products and brush cleaning methods.

Montalvo cleanses his brushes using white vinegar and warm water, allowing them to soak for 10-15 minutes before sanitizing with cleansing alcohol and barbicide solution. This routine maintains the hygiene of the brushes for the salon's use.

Montalvo suggests using brushes such as Tangle Teaser, Wet Brush, or Unbrush on a daily basis. These brushes are easily accessible for purchase on Amazon and are her preferred options.

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