Clean Hair Starts with Clean Tools

We put a lot of thought into shampoo, conditioner, treatments, and styling products—but what about the things that touch our hair every single day?

Hairbrushes, combs, clips, scrunchies, elastics, and other hair accessories can collect oil, product buildup, dust, lint, dead skin, and loose hair over time. Then, when we use them again, some of that buildup can transfer right back onto freshly washed hair.

Keeping your hair tools clean is a simple habit that can make a big difference.

Why Cleaning Your Brushes and Combs Matters

Think about how often your brush moves through your scalp and hair. It picks up natural oils, dry shampoo, hairspray, leave-in products, and environmental debris along the way.

Over time, that buildup can make your brush less effective and may leave your hair feeling dirtier or heavier sooner than expected.

Start by removing loose hair from your brush regularly. Then give the brush or comb a deeper cleaning every few weeks, depending on how often you use it and how much styling product you typically apply.

Plastic and hard combs can usually be washed with warm water and a small amount of gentle shampoo or soap. Brushes may need to be cleaned a little differently depending on whether they are plastic, wood, metal, or have a cushioned base, so always avoid soaking materials that could be damaged by water.

Don’t Forget Your Hair Ties and Clips

Hair accessories need attention too.

Scrunchies, fabric headbands, hair ties, claw clips, and barrettes can all collect oils and product residue. If you regularly wear the same accessories, especially during workouts or on second- and third-day hair, they may need to be cleaned more often.

Wash fabric accessories according to their material, and wipe or wash hard clips with mild soap and water. Make sure everything is completely dry before using or storing it again.

A Simple Routine to Follow

A good rule of thumb is to remove hair from your brushes at least once a week and give your most-used tools and accessories a deeper clean every few weeks.

If you use a lot of dry shampoo, hairspray, texture spray, oils, or styling creams, you may notice buildup faster and want to clean them more frequently.

It’s also a good idea to replace stretched-out hair ties, damaged brushes, cracked combs, or accessories with rough edges. Anything that snags or pulls on the hair can contribute to unnecessary breakage.

Small Habit, Healthier Hair Routine

Healthy hair care isn’t just about what you put on your hair. It’s also about what touches it.

Keeping your brushes, combs, clips, and hair ties clean helps prevent unnecessary buildup and keeps your everyday hair routine feeling fresher.

So the next time you’re washing your makeup brushes or cleaning out your bathroom drawer, give your hair tools a little attention too. Your freshly washed hair will thank you.