Regularly cleaning your brush will ensure it continues to perform at the optimum level - giving you great lathers to help protect and moisturize your skin. While how often your shave brush will need a deep clean depends on how often you use it, we recommend deep cleaning it twice per year. If there is any noticeable residue buildup on the base of the bristles and at the top of the handle, this is a good indicator that it's time for a clean.
This simple deep cleaning routine can be used for badger hair or synthetic brushes.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
A mug or cup
Your shave brush
Your brush stand
Warm water
A pure Castile liquid soap (we recommend Dr. Bronner’s )
WHAT TO DO:
- Fill the mug/cup with enough warm water to cover your brush’s bristles
- Add two drops of the pure Castile liquid soap to the water
- Swirl your brush in the solution, gently pushing the brush down on the bottom of the mug/cup, for 45-60 seconds
- Remove the brush from the water and soap mixture and rinse it with warm water until the water runs clear
- Squeeze the excess water out of your brush with your hand (try not to flick your brush to remove excess water, this will loosen the bristles over time!)
- Dispose of the water and soap mixture, rinse out the mug/cup and refill the mug with enough warm water to cover the bristles
- Add a generous splash of distilled white vinegar to this water (roughly 1 tablespoon)
- Swirl your brush in the solution, gently pushing the brush down onto the bottom of the mug/cup, for 30-45 seconds
- Let the brush sit in the water and vinegar solution for 5 minutes
- Remove the brush from the water and vinegar solution and rinse with warm water until the water runs clear
DRYING YOUR BRUSH:
Gently squeeze the excess water out of your brush with your hand. Try not to flick your brush to remove excess water, this will loosen the bristles over time! You can towel dry or air dry your brush in a brush stand .
Always store your brush upside down (to keep the bristle fresh and optimally functioning) - ideally in a brush stand. Be sure to store your brush in a place where it gets plenty of air circulation (not in a bathroom cabinet or drawer).
STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH REMOVING THE RESIDUE ON YOUR BRUSH?
Use filtered or spring water
Soak your brush in the soap mixture before treating it in the vinegar mixture
Soak your brush in the vinegar mixture for 10 minutes
Use a toothbrush to gently comb through the bristles
Additional Recommended Reading:
A Guide To Shaving Brushes: Part 1