A dirty boar bristle hairbrush will simply replace all the dust and dirt it brushes out of your hair back in with the next stroke! Water-only hair washing, which involves relying on the brush to remove a lot of the hair's dust and dust, can result in a particularly dirty brush.
How to Clean a Boar Bristle Hairbrush
After every use, the board bristle brush should be given a quick "dry-clean". Hold the brush bristle-side down outside or over the sink. Take the back (flat) edge of a comb and draw the comb back and forth rapidly over the bristles. The comb will "flick" the bristles, causing accumulated dust to fall out of the comb.
Tapping the back of the brush sharply with the comb can have a similar effect, as can brushing and tapping the brush against a flat surface such as a wall. Don't bang the brush too hard or it may dent! Some people find "combing" the bristles with the teeth of the comb helps loosen more dust, as well as removing long strands of hair which have wound themselves round the bristles.
How to Wash a Boar Bristle Hairbrush
You may notice that tapping and flicking does not remove all the dust. This is because sebum, which is sticky, has collected on the bristles and attracted the dirt. As a result, your boar bristle brush will need a more thorough clean every now and then.
The easiest way to remove sebum on the hairbrush is with shampoo – and as your hairbrush isn't likely to suffer from it, shampoo-free haircare users often like to use up their leftover shampoo this way. Detergent, liquid soap and even facial cleanser can be used instead – anything that dissolves or cuts grease is fine.
Using the back of the comb again, massage a little soap or shampoo through the bristles of the hairbrush. Run the sink, playing the water over the bristles to create a lather, and leave the hairbrush to soak bristle-side-down for a few minutes. Then empty the sink and use the back of the comb to scrub as you rinse the water away. When the water stops bubbling and runs clear, leave the brush to dry bristle-side down.
Washing a Wooden Brush
If your boar bristle brush has a wooden handle and backing, you may not wish to leave it soaking in the water. In this case simply swish the bristles around in the water, trying not to get the wood unnecessarily wet.
Keeping your hairbrush clean will make a dramatic difference in your natural haircare routine! Once you get into the habit, you may be surprised how much dust you have brushed out of your hair in a single session.
See also Using a Boar Bristle Hairbrush.
 |
