How To Clean A Shaving Brush and Care Guide
Shaving brushes are just like any other tool you might use in a job. They require some care to keep them working at their best and ensure they last.
They can also be very expensive if you decide to purchase the top-end brushes. Therefore, it makes the utmost sense to make sure you can keep them in good working condition as long as possible.
I have covered how to choose a shaving brush and types and how to use a shaving brush to get the ideal lather, so naturally, we now move on to the next step.
In this article, we will take a look at how to clean a shaving brush and take care of it!
Shaving Brush Care and Cleaning Tips
Let’s take a look at a few simple practices that keep shaving brushes in tip-top condition or even restore them to how they previously felt and performed.
Always rinse your brush after use, and make sure to get all soap, lotion, and oils out of the bristles. You want to ensure it is good and clean after every use.
Rinsing and Drying
- Rinse the brush under the tap with warm water. You can pinch the bristles together with the fingers to allow water in and out –kind of like rinsing.
2. After rinsing, pinch the bristles together to get rid of excess water. There is no need to flick the brush to get water out, as this might begin to make the brush lose hair (especially animal hair brushes).
3. You can gently brush the bristles on a towel to remove some of the excess, but be gentle! Just once back and forth is enough.
4. Either sit the brush in its stand if you have one or on its bottom in a room that is not humid or damp.
Make sure to let it air dry, and do not put it in front of any kind of heater to dry. A heater might actually cause it to dry too quickly, and it might warp the bristles.
Don’t pick at or root through the bristles. That can actually deform the brush and cause the bristles to fall out quicker.
If your brush loses some bristles after each use, that is normal, especially if the brush is new. However, if you see clumps coming out, then there is a problem. You might need to get a new brush, preferably from a different retailer.
Make sure to clean out your lather bowl or mug as well. Keeping that nice and clean will also keep your brush good and clean during every use.
Don’t store your brush in an enclosed place like a cabinet or bag. You want to make sure it has plenty of air to dry completely.
Shampooing the Brush
Every 6 months, it is good practice to give a shaving brush a good shampoo. The process is not very different from the process of creating a lather.
You could use human or pet shampoo for this, but make sure it is something mild. You want to make sure to keep the bristles strong and vibrant.
Using a mild shampoo, put a few drops into your scuttle, bowl, or mug or directly onto the brush.
Run your brush under some warm water to get it damp, and then take it to your shaving dish (with shampoo on the brush or inside the bowl). Gently lather the shampoo like you are making a lather.
Once the shampoo is good and foamy, gently massage the brush with your free hand to work the shampoo into the bristles. Just gently stroke and massage until the shampoo is worked into everything.
Finally, rinse the bristles with cool water, making sure to get all the suds out of it. Repeat the process as many times as you like. On the last rinse, run a small comb through the bristles and then leave it to air dry like normal.
If you wish, you can also use a conditioner after the shampoo, but it isn’t necessary. If you do use conditioner, it will really soften those bristles, and all you need to do is massage the conditioner within the bristles while the brush is still damp.
I usually only shampoo a shaving brush once every 6 months.
I hope your shaving brush is less smelly, less gummy, and overall, just better for your next shave after cleaning and maintenance.
