How to Clean Hair Brushes, Straighteners, and All Your Hair Tools

Why Clean Hair Tools Matter (Especially for Extensions)

What Builds Up on Your Tools

Most of us get round to washing our hair regularly. However, not all of us remember to clean our hair brushes, straighteners, and other tools as frequently as we ought to do.

It isn't just loose strands that your hair tools will inevitably pick up over time. That's because they can also become coated with a residue cocktail of natural oils, product buildup, dead skin cells, dust, and bacteria.

Brushes can be particularly susceptible to acting like sponges, trapping seemingly everything between their bristles that you put in your hair. If you've ever noticed that white or waxy stuff at the base of your brush, you'll know what we're talking about.

So, you have plenty of reason to get into the habit of cleaning the hair brushes, combs, and heated tools that make up your care kit. In this article, our experts will set out exactly how you can do it thoroughly and well.

Why Extension Wearers Should Care Even More

At Cliphair, with our over 17 years' experience of fitting and caring for hair extensions, we've seen at first hand how dirty tools can affect results.

When hair tools are dirty, they transfer residue onto extensions. This has the effect of dulling the extensions faster. What's more, product buildup on straightener plates can cause heat damage to extensions. Plus, oily residue can weaken tape-in adhesive and shorten the lifespan of bonds in permanent extensions.

If you do use permanent hair pieces, remember that these should always be fitted by a professional. From there, it's fine to clean the tools you use on them at home.

Hair extensions lack the self-repairing capability of natural hair. That's the case even if they're made from 100% Remy human hair, as is the case with Cliphair products like our clip-in hair extensions.

So, you won't want your investment in high-quality hair pieces to effectively go to waste because you didn't keep up a routine of cleaning your hair brushes and other tools adequately.

Such tool cleaning will help keep your hair pieces looking their best for longer. While we're on the subject of extension longevity, check out our previous guidance on how to look after and care for your hair pieces.

How to Clean Hair Brushes

How to Remove Hair from Your Brush

When you're learning how to clean a hairbrush, the "simple" things really do count for a lot. So, remember to do this after every use of your hair brush, or at least every few days:

• Use the pointed end of a pintail comb or a dedicated brush cleaning tool.
• Work from the base of the bristles upwards.
• Do this over a bin so that all the dust, hair, and dead skin go straight in.

This process only takes about 30 seconds. It'll make the deep cleaning much easier when you're getting to grips with how to clean a hair brush.

How to Deep Clean a Hairbrush with Shampoo

The best way to clean hair brushes is with warm water and shampoo.

Here's how to wash hair brushes properly:

1. Fill a bowl or sink with warm (not hot) water.
2. Add a squeeze of clarifying or cleansing shampoo.
3. Submerge the brush and leave it to soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Use an old toothbrush to scrub between the bristles.
5. Rinse thoroughly under warm running water until the water runs clear.
6. Place the brush bristle-side down on a clean towel.
7. Allow it to air dry completely before use.

For an extra refresh, browse our collection of hair care products to help keep your hair, as well as your tools, in great condition.

How to Clean a Hairbrush with Baking Soda

Wondering how to clean a hairbrush with baking soda?

You'd be surprised what a sprinkle of baking soda can shift.

Baking soda acts as a gentle adhesive, helping break down stubborn product residue and dry shampoo buildup.

Here are the steps of using it effectively:

1. Wet the bristles.
2. Sprinkle baking soda directly onto the brush, or add two tablespoons to your soaking water.
3. Scrub gently with a toothbrush.
4. Pay particular attention to areas where residue has collected.
5. Rinse thoroughly.

You'll be especially thankful for this method if you regularly use styling sprays, texture products, or dry shampoo.

How to Clean a Boar Bristle Brush

Natural bristle brushes need to be cleaned more gently than synthetic ones.

So, let's take you through how to clean boar bristle brush tools safely:

1. Fill a bowl with warm water and a small amount of gentle shampoo (steer clear of harsh detergents).
2. Dip only the bristles into the water.
3. Don't fully submerge the brush; keep the base dry to prevent the water from damaging it.
4. Gently scrub between the bristles using a soft toothbrush.
5. Rinse with care.
6. Lay bristle-side down on a towel and leave overnight.

Never use alcohol-based sanitisers on natural bristles, as they strip away the natural oils that are crucial for keeping the brush conditioned.

Not sure which brush you're working with? Take a look at our blog post explaining the various types of hair brushes.

How to Clean Hair Straighteners and Curling Tongs

Why Residue Builds Up on Heated Tools

Styling products, oils, and serums gradually burn onto the plates of heated tools as they are used repeatedly.

This buildup reduces heat transfer, which is why you might find yourself feeling the need to crank the temperature higher. It can also snag and damage hair, especially delicate extension hair.

So, if you do use hair pieces, proactively and regularly removing this product buildup should be an especially urgent priority.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Method

If you're interested in how to clean hair straightener plates or how to clean straighteners safely, here are the key steps you need to know:

1. Always unplug and let the tool cool completely before you start cleaning.
2. Dampen a cotton pad or soft cloth with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol).
3. Gently wipe the plates or barrel.
4. Avoid the use of any abrasive cloths that could scratch ceramic or tourmaline coatings.
5. For stubborn residue, warm the tool very slightly, just enough to soften the buildup.
6. Unplug the tool again before cleaning.
7. Wipe thoroughly.
8. Let the tool air dry for at least an hour before plugging it back in and using it again.

How Often to Clean Your Straighteners

If you're a regular user of straighteners, aim to clean them once a month.

You'll need to clean more frequently if you use lots of heat protectant or styling products.

Have you noticed steam during styling, or your hair snagging on the plates? In that case, don't wait for your normally scheduled date to clean your straighteners; get on with it straight away.

How to Clean Combs and Hair Clips

Cleaning Standard Combs

Learning how to clean a comb is quick and straightforward:

1. Run a second comb or brush through the teeth of the comb that needs to be cleaned, to remove trapped hair.
2. Fill a bowl with warm water and a squirt of shampoo.
3. Soak for around 10 minutes.
4. Use a toothbrush to scrub between the teeth.
5. Rinse thoroughly.
6. Leave the comb to air dry.

Remember that the closer together the teeth of a comb are, the likelier it is that they will trap dirt and product buildup.

Are you on the lookout for new combs or clips? Browse our accessories collection for items that will help keep your styling kit organised and easy to maintain.

Disinfecting Professional Tools

To help ensure salon-grade hygiene, soak your combs and clips in diluted Barbicide solution. Take care to follow the instructions and dilution ratios on the bottle label.

A quick wipe with rubbing alcohol on a cloth works well for on-the-go use. But even if you're in a rush, perhaps because you're travelling, it will still be important to wipe the surface of your tools thoroughly.

Make sure, too, that you wear gloves when using alcohol-based solutions.

How Often Should You Clean Your Hair Tools?

Quick-Reference Cleaning Schedule

Getting into the habit of cleaning your tools regularly will make maintenance much easier in the long run.

If you've ever wondered, "how often should I clean my hair brushes or other tools?", feel free to use the below as a cut-out-and-keep guide:

• Hair brushes: remove hair after every use, and deep clean every one to two weeks.
• Straighteners and curling tongs: wipe them down monthly, or whenever you notice buildup.
• Combs and clips: soak and clean every one to two weeks.
• Hairdressing scissors (if you trim at home): wipe with a damp cloth after every use, and disinfect with alcohol weekly.

For more healthy hair habits, check out our article on how you can build the perfect hair care routine in 10 easy steps.

Our team of hair extension specialists cleans and maintains styling tools daily. This is the schedule that our professionals generally recommend to those who're seeking to keep their tools hygienic and performing at their best.

Signs Your Tools Need Replacing

As important as it is to clean your hair brushes, straighteners, and other hair tools regularly, this won't always be enough.

Sometimes, you'll need to consider replacing them.

It might be time to think about exactly that if you see one or more of these signs:

• The bristles of your hair brush are bent, broken, or falling out.
• Your brush still looks dirty or feels waxy after you have cleaned it.
• The plates of your straighteners are scratched, chipped, or flaking.
• Comb teeth are cracked or missing.
• Mould or persistent discolouration.

A worn-out hair tool can do more harm than good, especially when styling extensions.

Looking for flawless, salon-worthy hair without breaking the bank? At Cliphair, we’ve got you covered with luxurious clip in hair extensions for quick transformations and permanent hair extensions for long-lasting glam. Extensions require special care and maintenance to preserve their quality, which is why we have all the  top-notch hydrating haircare products needed to keep your style on point.

Need the perfect shade? Browse our full range of human hair extensions in over 70 rich, silky shades or check out our FREE Express Colour Match Service to ensure a seamless blend every time.