How to Remove Hair from a Brush

Hair tends to build up in the bristles of your hairbrushes, which might look gross but is easy to remedy. You can quickly remove the hair by hand or using a comb, then wash your brush with shampoo to get rid of any gunk that remains. Your brush will be hair-free and clean in just a few minutes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Hair from Plastic Spikes

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1
Grasp the brush in your dominant hand. Hold the handle of your brush firmly so you can pull the hair out of the spikes. It doesn’t matter what material your brush’s handle is made out of as long as you can maintain a strong grip.^{[1]XResearch source}
- This process works best with paddle brushes.^{[2]XResearch source}
If your brush consists of plastic spikes instead of bristles, you may have trouble picking the hair out by hand. Place it under running water for about 10 seconds to help to loosen the hair stuck in your brush.^{[3]XResearch source}
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3
Remove the wet hair from the brush with your fingers. Now that the loose hair is wet, you should be able to pull most of it out in one go. If you’re having trouble getting a good grasp on the clumps, try pinching the hair with your fingers.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Don’t be discouraged if you can't pull all of the hair off at once.
4
Use a toothbrush to remove any extra hair. Using a clean toothbrush, rub all over the plastic spikes of your brush in short, circular motions. Use vigorous strokes to efficiently clear away any remaining hair or gunk.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Put your hairbrush under warm running water to make this process easier.^{[6]XResearch source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning Hair out of Bristles

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1
Clasp the brush in one hand. Make sure that you are holding the brush as securely as possible. If you maintain a firm grip on the brush, it will be easier to comb away any loose strands of hair. ^{[7]XResearch source}
- This process works whether the bristles are natural or synthetic.^{[8]XResearch source}
2
Use a small plastic comb to remove any loose hair. Select a comb with small teeth. Hold the comb in your opposite hand and run it through the brush. It does not matter if you use vertical or horizontal strokes, as long as you remove the hair. With a bristle brush, this process should feel similar to combing through normal hair.^{[9]XResearch source}
- If the hair isn’t coming out with the comb alone, consider using the comb to push the loose hair towards the top of the bristles. This will make it easier to pull out by hand.
If you are having trouble removing any of the hair from your brush, use your fingers to pinch and remove any excess strands. It may be easier if you use your fingertips to secure the hair and pull it from the brush.^{[10]XResearch source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Washing the Brush

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1
Fill a small container with warm water. Find a small bowl or plastic container that will fit your brush. Using warm water, fill this container about halfway full. You want to make sure that your brush will be fully immersed during the cleaning process.^{[11]XResearch source}
- You can use this method to clean a bristle or paddle brush.
- Using warmer water will make it easier to remove any extra hair from your brush.^{[12]XResearch source}
- You may add 2 to 3 pumps of shampoo to the water.^{[13]XExpert SourceKana Ishii
  Licensed CosmetologistExpert Interview. 22 December 2021.}
Clasp the handle of your brush in one hand and dip it into the container of water. Spin the brush around in the water so that all of the bristles or plastic spikes are soaked.^{[14]XExpert SourceKana Ishii
Licensed CosmetologistExpert Interview. 22 December 2021.} Do this for a few seconds, or until you’re confident that the brush is free of any hair or skin.^{[15]XResearch source}
3
Squeeze a few drops of shampoo onto a toothbrush. Take your shampoo bottle and coat the surface of the toothbrush with shampoo. While you can use your own shampoo for this, you want to make sure that the product won’t be too harsh on the brush.^{[16]XResearch source}
- Consider using baby shampoo for the cleaning process.^{[17]XResearch source}
4
Rub the shampoo around the bristles. Use short, round motions to rub the toothbrush over the surface of the brush. While you don’t want to break your brush, use enough force so you thoroughly clean all of the plastic spikes and/or bristles.^{[18]XResearch source}
- Use caution when cleaning a brush with a wooden handle or a soft bottom pad. These parts can be damaged if they’re exposed to a lot of water.^{[19]XResearch source}
It doesn’t matter if the water is warm or cool. Rinse and spin the brush until you’re confident that all of the shampoo suds have been rinsed out.^{[20]XResearch source}
6
Let the brush dry overnight. Lay the brush on a clean towel after you have rinsed it off. Put the brush face-down on the towel so it can drain easily. Leave the hairbrush there to dry throughout the night.^{[21]XResearch source}
- Don’t store the brush until it has dried completely. You don’t want mildew to form over time and ruin the brush.
Tracey Cunningham, World-Hair Colorist
The right brush can make all the difference in the health and appearance of your hair. Choose a brush that is designed for your hair type and style. For example, if you have fine hair, you'll want a brush with soft bristles that won't damage your hair. If you have thick hair, you'll want a brush with more bristles that can help to detangle your hair.