How to Clean a Hair Brush and Remove Scalp Oil Build-Up

Quick answer

Clean your hair brush every one to two weeks by removing loose hair, washing the bristles and pad with a gentle soap, rinsing thoroughly, and drying bristle-side down. If you use styling products, have an oily scalp, or share your brush, clean it weekly. A clean brush does not transfer old oils and residue back onto freshly washed hair.

Hair brush cleaning routine: step by step

1. Remove loose hair and debris: Use a comb or your fingers to lift out trapped hair from the bristles, starting at the outer edge and working toward the center. Do this over a trash can to avoid clogging your sink. Checkpoint: if hair is wrapped tightly around bristle bases, use a seam ripper or small scissors to cut it free rather than pulling, which can bend bristles.
2. Pre-rinse the bristles: Hold the brush bristle-side down under lukewarm running water. Let water flow through the bristles and away from the cushion. Do not submerge the whole brush if it has a wooden handle or a padded air cushion. Common mistake: using hot water, which can warp bristles and weaken the adhesive holding the pad.
3. Wash with a gentle shampoo or soap: Apply a small amount of gentle shampoo or castile soap to the bristles and pad. Work it in with your fingers or a soft toothbrush, focusing on the base where oil and product collect. For a deeper clean, add a few drops of tea tree oil or white vinegar to the wash water. Checkpoint: if the brush is very oily, repeat the wash once rather than scrubbing harder.
4. Rinse thoroughly: Rinse under lukewarm water until no suds remain. Tilt the brush so water runs off the bristles, not into the cushion. Any leftover soap can leave a film that attracts dust and oil. Common mistake: stopping when the surface looks clean while soap still sits deep in the pad.
5. Dry bristle-side down: Shake off excess water and place the brush bristle-side down on a clean towel. Let it air dry completely, ideally overnight, before using it again. Do not use a hair dryer, which can melt or distort bristles. Checkpoint: if the cushion still feels damp, wait another few hours. Using a damp brush can reintroduce moisture and odor.
6. Clean combs and picks at the same time: While your brush dries, wash combs, picks, and wide-tooth combs in the same soapy water, using a toothbrush to scrub between teeth. Rinse and dry them on the towel as well. Next step: mark your calendar or set a phone reminder to repeat the full routine in one to two weeks.

Products that support a clean brush routine

• Warrior Shampoo For Balanced-Oily Scalps: Warrior Shampoo For Balanced-Oily Scalps is a 9.5 oz aluminum bottle with pump; ingredients include purified water, coco glucoside, yucca schidigera root extract, quillaja saponaria bark extract, sarsaparilla root extract, wild yam root extract, glycerin, jojoba oil, horsetail extract, chamomile extract, white willow bark extract, and yarrow extract. A gentle, plant-based shampoo can be used to wash your brush as well as your hair, so you do not need a separate harsh cleanser for brush care.
• Sisal Exfoliating Wash Cloth: Sisal Exfoliating Wash Cloth is made from durable, plant-based sisal fibers and is completely natural and compostable; replace every 2-3 months and allow to air dry. If you use a wash cloth on your scalp or body before brushing, keeping it fresh and dry prevents transferring residue back to your brush and hair.