When was the last time you cleaned your hairbrush? If your mind is drawing a complete blank, it may be time. Shedding hair is a part of an inescapable cycle, but a detangling brush covered in loads of hair, dead skin cells, a buildup of product, dust, and dirt, warrants a good cleaning. Our hair comes with so much responsibility!                                                                                                                                                            

Constantly reusing your favorite styling tools through wash day, deep conditioning day, braiding day, and everyday styling is what we do. Maintaining the sanitation of our hair tools takes more than a quick rinse of water in between styling. So, yes, if quickly running warm water through your comb makes you feel like you’ve accomplished something big, keep reading! There are just a few more things to add to our cleaning list, but this chore gives our hair a chance to interact with clean styling tools. The expectation of clean tools shouldn’t solely be applied to stylists while being a nonexistent standard within our home. We’ve all wrestled with finding top-notch products to apply to our hair, but it is equally important to carve out time to remove the buildup of our fan favorites. 

Apple cider vinegar, the holy grail to many of our wash day routines, is also a massive star in cleaning materials and surfaces. Clarifying, detangling, and stimulating a healthy scalp is synonymous with apple cider vinegar, but its antibacterial benefits make it a fantastic fit for cleaning. Goodbye to gel crust from two months ago, goodbye to leave-in conditioner from last week, and hello to clean and ready-to-use styling tools! 

How to Clean Your Hairbrush

The look of your hairbrush will usually let you know when it’s time to do some cleaning. 

Start by removing the buildup of hair and debris from the brush. You can easily do this by using the end of a rattail comb to rake through intertwined pieces. Beaded bristles and wooden brushes may require that you use a regular comb and a bit more caution. Severe tangles can be managed with a pair of scissors. 

Once the brush is entirely free of excess hair, create a space where your brushes can soak in hot water. The sink or a large container should work. Before soaking your tools, grab your spray bottle of apple cider vinegar. Spray the entire brush before submerging it in water. Avoid oversaturation by skipping the soaking process if you’re cleaning wooden brushes.

Allow the brush to soak for at least 30 minutes. Once time has passed, use a toothbrush and shampoo to begin scrubbing. The scrubbing process will help lift any excess hair and dirt missed before soaking. Be sure to wash the brush’s back, side, and handle for cleanliness.

How to Clean Your Hair Dryer

Unlike the apparent messy hairbrush, you may not know when it’s time to clean your hair dryer. The loud and powerful tool will often overheat or reduce its ability to produce heat when a buildup of dust and lint clogs its fan. 

Every hair dryer is different, but most intake fans have a twistable cap. If your cap is twistable, cleaning can be tremendously stress-free. First, twist your cap until it loosens. Lint can be rinsed off once the cap separates from the hairdryer. Inside your dryer’s screen can be cleaned by using a pair of tweezers to detach excess lint and dirt. Once both pieces are cleaned and back together, grab a towel and use your apple cider vinegar and water mix to wipe down your hair dryer. Be mindful not to use your hair dryer until completely dry.

If your hair dryer doesn’t twist apart, using tweezers to grab any lint and debris can get the job done. Be patient, be cautious, and get ready for the heat to turn up.

How to Clean Your Perm Rods

Perm rods may have a few strands of hair wrapped around them, making picking out hair simple but tedious. The styling product used in our hair coats the plastic of what can feel like a million perm rods. 

Creating a solution of warm water, apple cider vinegar, and shampoo will make the cleaning process easygoing. After placing the rods inside the mixed solution, wait at least twenty minutes. Once the time is up, rinse your rods vigorously to ensure degreasing of product and strands of hair are gone. Place your clean rods on a dry towel and let them sit until completely dry before storing.

How to Clean Your Spray Bottle

Some of our spray bottles are filled with water, but others are filled with mysterious ingredients blended over time. No worries, cleaning will help start anew. 

Start your cleaning by disassembling the spray bottle. After the parts are separated, soak them for a few minutes in apple cider vinegar, gentle soap, and water. When ready, wash each piece separately. Use a straw scrub brush to clean the bottle’s straw thoroughly. If the top has small groves or the bottle is hard to clean, using a bit of force and a cotton ball saturated in water and vinegar should do the trick. Allow all parts to dry completely before reassembling. 

How Often Should You Clean Your Styling Tools?

The routine for maintaining clean styling tools is situational. The goal is to be more mindful of the need to clean and incorporate a schedule that correlates with how often you use your tools. Thoroughly cleaning your hairstyling tools is recommended at least once a month. During times of increased shedding and amplified usage of products, cleaning should happen more frequently. 

It is wise to be mindful of your tools’ material. Plastic and rubber are tough, but tools made of natural materials may need a few alternatives to preserve its build. Most styling tools can be cleaned altogether using the same steps. A collective washing helps cut back on cleaning solutions, products used during the process, and, most importantly, time.