How Often Should You Clean Your Hairbrush?

You probably wash your hair regularly, but when was the last time you cleaned your hairbrush?

“Consider your hairbrush a personal-care item deserving of the same attention as your toothbrush,” says Emily Nadelmann, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, DC. Each needs regular cleaning and periodic replacement.

“The time and financial investment is minimal, but the benefit to your hair and scalp health is substantial,” she says.

Why It’s Important to Wash Your Hairbrush

Your brush collects bacteria and fungus, oil, product buildup, and dead skin cells with each use. Without regular cleaning, all of that goes right back onto your freshly washed hair, which can affect how your hair looks and feels, as well as impact scalp health, says Monique Chheda, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with District Dermatology in McLean, Virginia.

Your Brush Harbors Bacteria and Fungus

Hairbrushes can harbor the bacteria and fungus that make up your scalp’s microbiome (the community of microorganisms that naturally live on your scalp). “These organisms aren’t inherently harmful, but when they accumulate, along with oil and debris, they can affect scalp health,” says Kseniya Kobets, MD, the director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Health System and an assistant professor of dermatology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City.

Oil and Products Build Up

“Oil builds up very easily on a hairbrush,” Dr. Chheda says. “That oil then gets redistributed onto freshly washed hair, which can make it look greasy more quickly and may make it feel weighed down.”

Over time this buildup may even contribute to scalp irritation. In addition, the built-up products and oil trapped in a dirty brush can create a breeding environment where Malassezia (the yeast associated with dandruff) can thrive, which can worsen itching, flaking, and overall scalp inflammation, Dr. Kobets says.

Trapped Flakes Trigger an Itchy Scalp

Dead skin cells and dandruff flakes can get trapped in your brush, then redeposited onto your scalp each time you brush your hair. “In patients with dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, this can reinforce the cycle of inflammation by reintroducing yeast and inflammatory by-products that have been growing on the hairbrush back onto the skin,” Kobets says.

How Often Experts Recommend Washing Your Hairbrush

Most people should aim to wash their hairbrush about once a week. However, Kobets notes that some individuals may need to clean theirs every two or three days, depending on hair type, scalp condition, and product use. “The more buildup you generate, the faster the brush becomes a reservoir for debris and microorganisms,” she says.

According to Kobets, individuals who may need to wash their hairbrush more often include those who regularly use styling products such as oils, gels, hairsprays, and creams, as these leave residue that can quickly build up on bristles. Natural-bristle brushes like boar bristle require more frequent cleanings, since they trap more oil than plastic bristles, Chheda says.

Signs You Need a New Brush

Like any other personal-care item, hairbrushes eventually need to be replaced to keep your hair and scalp healthy. Dr. Nadelmann says that these are the signs it’s time to swap out your current brush:

• Broken, bent, or missing bristles
• Buildup that’s resistant to cleaning
• Persistent odor despite cleaning
• Visible mold
• Cracked handles or bases

“Even with good hygiene, most brushes should be replaced about every 6 to 12 months, since the materials degrade over time,” Kobets says.

The Right Way to Wash Your Hairbrush

A clean hairbrush keeps your hair and scalp healthier, and helps your brush last longer, so it’s important to wash it correctly. Here’s how, according to Kobets:

1. Remove hair. Gently pull out any loose strands from the brush.
2. Make a cleaning solution. Combine warm water with a few drops of clarifying shampoo or mild soap in a bowl.
3. Soak. Submerge the brush for about 15 minutes. If your brush has a wooden handle or boar bristles, dip rather than soak.
4. Scrub. Use a toothbrush to gently clean between the bristles and around the base.
5. Rinse. Rinse thoroughly until all soap residue is gone.
6. Dry. Place face down and allow to air-dry completely.
   

What Could Happen if You Don’t Wash Your Hairbrush?

If you don’t clean your brush regularly, oil, hair products, and other debris build up on the base and bristles. Then every time you use your brush, this buildup is redistributed back onto your hair and scalp.

The most immediate effect is how your hair looks. A dirty brush can make hair appear dull or greasy soon after washing, since each stroke deposits old buildup onto freshly cleaned strands, Chheda says.

“Keeping your brush clean is a small step that can make a noticeable difference in overall hair and scalp health,” Chheda says.

The Takeaway

• Your brush collects bacteria and fungus, oil, product buildup, and skin cells, which are then redistributed back to your hair and scalp with each use.
• Using a dirty brush can make your hair feel greasy. It may lead to or worsen scalp conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis.
• Most people should aim to clean their hairbrush weekly. However, those who use hair products or have naturally oily hair or scalp conditions may need more frequent cleanings.