How to Clean A Boar Bristle Brush

To clean a boar bristle brush, remove the hair from it with a comb and your fingers. Next, dip the brush in a bowl with warm soapy water, massaging through the bristles to take out accrued gunk. Wait 3 minutes and place it face down on a towel until dry.

When you brush your hair with a boar bristle brush, you spread the oil on your scalp to your hair follicles. Any leftover oil gets left on your brush which is why it’s so important to clean it regularly. 

Cleaning a boar hair brush requires you to follow a specific process to ensure all the hair and dirt are washed off after you finish. It isn’t easy to deal with these brushes because the bristles are squeezed together, making some areas challenging to reach. 

In this guide, we’ll teach you how to clean a boar bristle brush step by step and give you pointers, so you know how to maintain it.  

Best Method to Clean Your Boar Bristle Brush


What You’ll Need

  • Comb or scissors: Any regular toothed comb will do the job, and it is excellent for taking out stubborn hair follicles. Scissors work great for this too.
  • Shampoo or body wash liquid.
  • Water: Make sure it is warm but not steaming hot. 
  • Container or bowl: Size does not matter as long as it is large enough to hold your brush. 

Instructions

  1. Use the tip of the scissors and run down the rows of the brush to remove as much hair as you can.
  1. Get a container or a bowl with warm water inside it. The water must not be scorching hot but be at a tepid temperature. The bowl should be big enough to fit the entire brush, or this will not work. 
  1. Add a couple of drops of shampoo or body wash to the water to make the foamy solution, and mix it around to make sure it spreads out. You should see some suds starting to form if you did it right. 
  1. Put your boar hair brush down in the bowl. If you have a wooden brush, make sure the wooden end does not get wet. 
  1. Let it soak for a good 3 minutes. 
  1. After the 3 minutes are up, go back and agitate the brush with your hands. 
  1. Tap the brush on the sides of the bowl until you no longer see any debris. You will know the job is done once you can run your fingers through the brush without seeing dirt. 
  1. Grab a new bowl with cold water and dip the brush inside. Use your fingers to soap out. Repeat this process until you are satisfied with the result. 
  1. Put your brush face down on a towel and leave it there until thoroughly dried. 

How Often to Use Your Boar Bristle Brush

The answer to this question depends on your situation and the texture of your hair, but most people use it twice a day. 

However, we suggest anyone with an extra oily scalp brush their hair only once daily. 

Brushing more than once makes your dilemma worse by increasing the oiliness of your hair. The exception to this rule is if your hair is curly and tends to be dry. 

Brushing your hair more than twice per day is helpful in this case because it helps spread the natural oils from your scalp and straightens out your curls. 

Brushing your hair is important because it allows the bristles to cling to the oil and carry it through your hair as you brush through the length of your hair from the root to the ends. 

How to Use the Boar Bristle Brush Properly

The steps below will teach you how to use your brush the right way to ensure you are not wasting your time. 

Instructions

  1. Make sure your hair is dry, and if it is wet, use a towel to make it dry, or you can wait.
  1. As you brush your hair, you must hinge at the waist and invert your head.

    This position helps your blood flow to the scalp. It also puts you in an excellent place to brush from the nape of your neck to the ends. 
  1. The nape of your neck is an optimal area to start in because it’s where most of your oil glands sit, and usually, it is where you get the oiliest.
  1. After you’ve brushed and inverted, feel free to flip your hair back if it’s long enough and start to detangle and style it. 
  1. If your hair is longer, we recommend that you begin at the end of your hair and detangle it first. Then you can work up towards your roots to prevent any breakage. 
  1. If you find that your hair still feels a bit oily and gunky, you have few options at this point. You can either repeat the process above again or choose the next route and buy a scalp massager.

    A scalp massager helps lift the oils off your scalp, mainly if you have not used shampoo for many days. After using it, brush again and style at the end. 
  1. When styling your hair, make sure you brush without using gel or mousse. They will clog up your bristles, and you will have to clean the brush again. 

FAQs on How to Clean A Boar Bristle Brush

Should I get a pure or a nylon boar bristle brush? 

If your hair is longer than the length of your shoulder, go with the pure boar bristle brush. For anyone with shorter hair, choose the latter option. 

How do you get bad odors out of your brush? 

To help with a smelly brush, wash it often. It is also good to buy an essential oil and add a few drops to the brush. 

How often should you clean a boar bristle brush? 

Wash your boar bristle brush 1 to 2 times a week. It also depends on your needs and the texture of your hair. 

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