How to Clean Combs and Hairbrushes, and How Often to Do It

To clean a hairbrush, first pull out the trapped hair with a comb’s tail or your fingers, then wash the bristles in warm water with a little shampoo, scrub the base with an old toothbrush, rinse, and leave it to dry bristles-down on a towel. Plastic combs can simply soak in warm soapy water for ten minutes before a scrub and rinse. Wooden handles and natural bristle brushes should not be soaked; wash the bristles only and dry them quickly. As a routine, remove loose hair once a week and wash brushes and combs every two to four weeks, or more often if you use a lot of styling product.

Why it is worth bothering

A brush collects more than hair. Over a few weeks it gathers shed skin, scalp oil, dust and whatever product you use, from clay and pomade to dry shampoo. That film transfers straight back onto clean hair, which is one reason hair can feel flat or greasy sooner than it should after washing. A gummed-up comb also drags rather than glides, which matters if you have fine or curly hair that snaps easily.

None of this is dramatic, and a dirty brush is not a health risk for most people. It just makes your hair look and behave worse than it needs to. If you are dealing with a flaky scalp, it is also sensible to keep your tools clean so you are not redistributing flakes every morning; the NHS page on dandruff covers the scalp side of that.

What you need

• A tail comb, a pen or a pair of small scissors for lifting out hair
• A bowl or sink of warm (not hot) water
• A little mild shampoo or washing-up liquid
• An old toothbrush for scrubbing between bristles and teeth
• A clean towel
• Optional: white vinegar if you live in a hard water area like most of London and see white residue

Step by step: cleaning a hairbrush

1. Remove the hair. Run the tail of a comb along the base of the bristles to lift trapped hair, then pull it away. On a heavily matted brush, snip through the mat with small scissors first, cutting along the length of the brush, and the hair will lift out in sections.
2. Mix the wash. Warm water with a small squirt of shampoo. Hot water can loosen the glue in some brushes and warp plastic.
3. Wash the bristles. Dip the bristle side only, swirl it, then scrub around the base of each row with the toothbrush, where the residue collects.
4. Rinse. Under running warm water, bristles pointing down so water does not run into the handle.
5. Shake and blot. Tap the brush firmly on a towel to throw off water, then blot the bristles.
6. Dry bristles-down. Lay it on a dry towel with the bristles facing down so water drains out rather than pooling in the cushion. Leave it overnight.

Different tools, different care

Tool	Can you soak it?	Best method
Plastic or rubber comb	Yes	Soak 10 minutes in soapy water, scrub between teeth, rinse, air dry
Wooden comb	No	Wipe with a damp cloth and a drop of soap, dry immediately; an occasional light oil keeps the wood from drying out
Horn comb	No	Wipe clean, avoid hot water and long soaking, dry straight away
Paddle or cushion brush	No	Wash bristles only; keep water away from the air hole in the cushion
Boar bristle brush	No	Wash bristles with mild shampoo, rinse, dry bristles-down; avoid the wooden back getting wet
Round brush with metal barrel	Briefly	Short dip and scrub; dry thoroughly so the barrel does not rust
Wave brush	No	Bristles only, as for boar bristle

If you are still choosing tools, our guide to which comb or brush suits which hair type is a good place to start.

Dealing with stubborn buildup

Product buildup, especially from waxes and oil-based pomades, does not always shift with shampoo. Two things help:

• A slightly stronger wash. A clarifying shampoo or a drop of washing-up liquid cuts through grease better than a gentle shampoo.
• Vinegar for limescale. In hard water areas, white, chalky deposits can build up on combs. A short soak of a plastic comb in a mix of warm water and white vinegar, then a rinse, removes them. Do not use this on wood or natural bristle.

Avoid bleach and strong household disinfectants on brushes. They can damage bristles, cushion rubber and wood, and are unnecessary for personal tools.

How often to clean them

• Every few days: pull out loose hair. It takes ten seconds.
• Every two to four weeks: a full wash for brushes and combs you use daily.
• Weekly: if you use heavy products daily, have an oily scalp, or share the brush.
• After illness or a scalp flare-up: wash once you are better.
• Replace when bristles are bent or missing, a cushion has split, or comb teeth are chipped. Rough teeth catch and break hair.

Common mistakes

• Soaking a wooden brush. The wood swells, the finish cracks and bristles loosen.
• Drying bristles-up. Water sits in the base and the cushion can grow mildew.
• Using it before it is dry. A damp brush on clean hair defeats the point.
• Storing it in a closed drawer straight away. Leave it in the open air until fully dry.
• Sharing. Within a household it is common, but it does share scalp conditions and head lice. Children’s brushes are best kept separate.

What happens in a barbershop

A well-run shop cleans combs and brushes between clients rather than every few weeks, because they move from one head to the next all day. Clean combs, fresh neck strips and clean capes are among the easy signs of a properly run shop; our post on barber hygiene explains what to look for. At home you do not need that level of rigour, just a regular habit.

If you are not sure which tools suit your hair, ask during your next visit. Every appointment at Highgate Cuts starts with an assessment of your hair, and the barber can recommend a comb or brush that works with your cut. Clippers need their own routine, covered in our guide to cleaning and oiling clippers.

Questions we get asked

Can I put a comb in the dishwasher?

Some sturdy plastic combs survive it, but heat can warp them and soften the teeth. Hand washing is quicker and safer.

Why does my brush smell even after washing?

Usually water has been trapped in the cushion or wooden base. Make sure it dries bristles-down in an airy place. If the smell persists, replace the brush.

Is it worth cleaning a cheap comb, or should I just replace it?

A plastic comb takes ten minutes to soak clean. Replace it when teeth are chipped or rough, not because it is dirty.

How should I clean a beard comb?

The same way, but more often, because beard oil and balm build up quickly. Our barbers can also show you how to use it properly on your next trim.

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