How to Clean Hairbrushes Properly: Boar, Tampico & Wooden Bristles
Your hairbrush is a true all-rounder: it distributes natural oils, removes dust, and massages the scalp. At QUOALA, we use high-quality natural materials such as boar bristles, vegan Tampico fibers (agave), and rounded hornbeam wooden pins.
To ensure these materials remain functional and hygienic long-term, they need a little care. If bristles or pins become clogged with dust, sebum, and styling residues, they lose their ability to distribute moisture in the hair. Here's our scientifically-backed guide for a long-lasting brush, whether with bristles or pins.
Contents of this Guide:
1. The Weekly Ritual: Removing Hair
Shed hair caught in the brush acts like a net. It traps dust from the air and prevents the bristles or wooden pins from effectively reaching your scalp[1].
Here's how: Use a special brush cleaner or a clean, flat comb. Run it crisscross through the bristle bundles or over the rubber cushion (pneumatic bed) to gently lift out hair and dust bunnies. Do not forcefully tug at the wooden pins to avoid loosening their anchor.
2. The Monthly Deep Clean
About once a month, old oils, dead skin cells, and product residues (like hairspray or dry shampoo) should be thoroughly washed out. This applies to all material types (boar, Tampico, and wooden pins):
The Right Cleaner
A drop of mild, silicone-free shampoo or a gentle baby shampoo works wonders. Since boar bristles (just like human hair) consist of keratin, harsh surfactants or aggressive soaps would dry them out and make them brittle in the long run.
Careful Lathering
Lather the bristles with a little lukewarm water. You can use your fingers or a clean (old) toothbrush to get deep between the bundles. For wooden pins, simply wipe the pins and the rubber cushion gently. Then rinse them with clear water.
Caution with Pneumatic Brushes!
Never fully submerge brushes with a soft rubber cushion (like our Paddle Brush) in water. Through the small air hole that provides suspension, water could otherwise get inside the wooden body, which could lead to mold growth or the detachment of the cushion.
3. Drying with a System (Bristles Down)
The most important step happens after washing. Moisture is the natural enemy of untreated or only lightly oiled wood.
- Pressing out: After rinsing, gently press the brush into a dry, lint-free towel to absorb excess moisture.
- The Position: For drying, always place the brush with the bristles or wooden pins facing downwards on a flat, well-ventilated surface (e.g., a towel). This is the only way for residual water to flow out of the holes in the wooden brush instead of being absorbed deep into the wood.
- No Heat: Avoid direct heat sources like heaters, hair dryers, or direct sunlight. Heat causes FSC wood to crack and makes the keratin structure of natural hair extremely brittle[2].
Conclusion: A well-maintained natural hairbrush will last for many years. Take five minutes a month – your hair and scalp will thank you with healthy shine.
Discover our Hair Care
Choose durable quality. Discover our collection of brushes and tools, crafted under fair conditions in a German manufactory.
Scientific Evidence (Referenced)
- Sebum Oxidation & Hygiene: Sebum left in brushes oxidizes in the air. This not only impairs the bristles' ability to distribute, but also provides a breeding ground for bacteria. Regular mild cleaning maintains the capillary function of the natural fiber. Evidence: International Journal of Trichology.
- Heat Damage to Keratin & Wood: Direct heat exposure (heater air/hair dryer) above 60°C rapidly deprives keratin fibers (animal hair) and cellulose-based wood of residual moisture, leading to micro-cracks and structural breakage. Evidence: Clarence R. Robbins (2012), "Chemical and Physical Behavior of Human Hair", Springer.
