Want to add some luster to your locks? Dust and dirt that collect in your brush can weigh down hair, but a clean one "grabs hair better at the root, which brings natural oils from the scalp toward the hair shaft, making strands appear shinier," says James Corbett, owner of James Corbett Studio in New York City. To clean your brush, run a comb through it from the top to the bottom.
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From: Laurie Hannus | 3/15/11 at 7:05 am
Is that really all there is to cleaning a hair brush?
From: Patti | 3/15/11 at 7:29 am
Whats the best way to clean your brushes, other then justgetting the hair out of it, the oils settle in the briush as well, I know my daughters and my brush seem to get a musty smell, baking soda perhaps??
From: Maria Beatrix | 3/15/11 at 7:32 am
I agree with Laurie. Is that all? I was expecting something more from you guys.
From: jackie | 3/15/11 at 9:26 am
I agree...I'll tell you how I clean mine. I make a bowl of soapy water, and put the brush in to soak about 10 minutes. Then I swish it around, drain the water and make another bath with white vinegar in it. I put it in there for about 5 minutes to get old oils out... and then I rinse and lay out to dry. Easy as pie.
From: BeatriceStCyr | 3/15/11 at 9:29 am
Howtocast has a great tutorial, "How To Clean Hairbrushes" online:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SakfzXlTMvU
From: Linda L | 3/15/11 at 9:57 am
I take the hair and dust out of the brush with a comb and then use shampoo to clean our brushes and combs. I figure if it cleans the oils, etc. from my hair, it'll take them off the brushes as well.
From: Heather Hester | 3/15/11 at 10:29 am
Does anyone have a good recommendation for a hairbrush? I have long, thick hair and my dog recently chewed mine, so I am in the market for a new one.
From: JANET JUNEAU | 3/15/11 at 11:19 am
HI... I always read that a Mason Pearson boar bristle brush was best for long hair... but recently I read that boar bristle was not recommended... I'd like to know what is recommended, too... I have long, coarse, curly hair...I straighten it once in a while...
From: Milinda Shay | 3/15/11 at 11:22 am
Heather, I havelong thick hair also. A boars had brush is geat for brushing your hair and gettin it smooth, I ALSO USE A brush with the spindly bristles to get through the thickness first and get rid of tangles. Then the Boars head will get it nice and shiny. Check ot the Dollar General store, sometimes they carry them for cheap.
From: Kristin | 3/15/11 at 12:02 pm
That's not cleaning! I do the same thing as Jackie, soaking it in some soapy water (either dish or hair soup), a quick dip in vinegar, and then rinse with clean water. I find that I have to clean mine frequently in order to get rid of the oils.
From: Lauren | 3/15/11 at 1:11 pm
I have to agree...that was a pretty lame cleaning solution. 90% of women probably already do this method of using a comb. I was hoping to get advice on cleaning it with soap, water, vinegar, etc. as the below comments have suggested. The breakfast revamp from the other day was lame too. When you are going to post and have us take the time to view it, please try to beef up the articles a bit more. I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, I have just been a bit disappointed in the daily challenge articles lately.
From: Jessica | 3/15/11 at 5:02 pm
I enjoy the pledges you recommend daily, but where do I find the information on how to do it? For example, today I accepted the pledge to clean my brush, but you don't tell me how!?
From: Sidney Overland | 3/15/11 at 5:44 pm
I have long hair that is a bit fine, but with body. I gave up using a brush a long time ago. When I wash and condition my hair in the shower, I use an afro-pick to comb out my hair and carefully detangle it. That is all that is necessary. I highly recommend this method to reduce damage and keep your hair healthy-especially if you perm your hair. I only use a styling brush to blow dry my hair which happens... never....Thank god for scrunchies...
From: alexandra | 3/15/11 at 8:21 pm
I used to work as a saturday girl in a hairdressers, the brushes were cleaned first as per this article then soaked in a solution of Milton baby bottle sterilising fluid. I personally clean mine every so often with shampoo.
Regarding long thick hair, I agree Mason Pearson are the best (not cheap though). They do make a cheaper nylon bristle version, if you don't want the expense of boars bristle. Any paddle brush (like a MP brush) works best on long thick hair. Also combing through conditioner with a wide tooth comb helps to eliminate tangles.
From: shannon | 3/16/11 at 12:38 am
I just put mine on the top shelf of the dishwasher and it comes out beautifully.
From: Whole Living Daily | 3/16/11 at 10:57 am
Hi everyone, thank you for your comments and your suggestions for each other! The daily challenge is meant to be a very simple one-step tip, but it's also there to spark conversation and encourage community interaction.
We like to provide links to deeper content when we can and will try harder to do this whenever possible, but sometimes the daily challenge IS just a simple suggestion. And we always appreciate your contributions that help make our content rich and more in-depth! Our community, after all, is what makes the Whole Living Action Plan so special!
~The editors
From: Michelle | 3/16/11 at 6:02 pm
I have long, thick, straight hair. I love my Aveda brush, although you can get a paddle (large rectangular) brush just about anywhere. I agree with Jackie's method of cleaning. Vinegar is useful for hair, washing towels that don't absorb anymore because of build-up, etc.
From: Lynn | 3/16/11 at 7:12 pm
My Mother always cleaned out the hair and dust first, before putting the brushes and combs into the bathroom sink sprinkled with Baking Soda. Leave them soaking for a few hours then rinse and dry.
It's still the only method I use. I've never known anything to work better.
From: Lynn | 3/16/11 at 7:13 pm
My Mother always cleaned out the hair and dust first, before putting the brushes and combs into the bathroom sink filled with water and sprinkled with Baking Soda. Leave them soaking for a few hours then rinse and dry.
It's still the only method I use. I've never known anything to work better.