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Clean your hairbrush and comb

When shed hair or styling residue collects on your brush or comb, cleaning clears the working surfaces before you use it again. Choose the method allowed for that exact tool.

Hands lift caught hairs gently from the teeth of a detached plastic hairbrush.

Step by step

  1. Hands lift caught hairs gently from the teeth of a detached plastic hairbrush.
    STEP 1 OF 4

    Check care and lift out hair

    • Read the care instructions and choose washable or wipe-only cleaning. Place the tool and supplies on a stable counter.
    • Hold the handle with one hand and lift loose caught hairs with the other. Work gently; do not cut, pry or pull hard.
  2. Hands use a soft toothbrush to clean between the teeth of a washable plastic hairbrush held above a bowl.
    STEP 2 OF 4

    Clean the working surfaces

    • For a washable tool, prepare the maker-approved cleanser and water in a bowl. Dip the soft cleaning brush in it.
    • Gently clean between teeth and around the base. Keep the tool out of the bowl and protect parts the maker says must stay dry.
    • For a wipe-only tool, wipe each tooth or bristle with a clean cloth. Add a soft cleaning brush only if the maker allows it.

    The soapy photo shows the washable-tool path only. Keep a wipe-only comb or brush out of the water.

  3. Hands wipe an amber comb tooth and gap with a clean dry cloth.
    STEP 3 OF 4

    Finish each tooth and gap

    • For a washable tool, rinse away the cleanser using the method its maker permits, keeping protected parts dry. Do not leave visible suds.
    • For a wipe-only tool, use a clean part of the cloth to lift remaining residue from each tooth and gap. Do not add a rinse.

    The photo shows the wipe-only comb path. It does not replace rinsing for a tool whose washing directions require it.

  4. A clean plastic brush rests teeth-up beside a comb on a towel; a hand sets down the comb.
    STEP 4 OF 4

    Dry, inspect and put away

    • Set the tool on a clean towel in the drying position its maker specifies. Let cleaned areas air-dry fully without a hair dryer or heater.
    • Check for remaining hair, residue or damaged teeth. Clean your cleaning brush and cloth, then store the dry tool.

    The pictured plastic brush dries teeth-up. Other brushes may need bristles down; follow their care directions.

About 3–8 min hands-on for lifting caught hair, cleaning working surfaces, finishing and tidying one tool. Add any permitted soak and complete air-drying before storage.

Practical editorial estimate, not measured. Many bristles or built-up residue take longer than a simple comb; cleaning a collection of tools is separate.

You’re done when…

Caught hair and visible residue are removed, the teeth or bristles are intact, and all cleaned areas are dry before the tool is stored or used again.