General
Cleaning Your Hair Grooming Tools
By Marquetta Breslin
Sep 28, 2005 - 8:55:00 PM

To keep your hair clean and shiny as well as free of dust, oil, and lint, it is important to clean your grooming tools each week. This includes hairbrushes, combs, styling tools, hair decorations or accents, and anything else you use to arrange your style each day. Keep a fresh supply of elastic bands for binding ponytails and braids as well.

To clean your tools, fill a basin with hot water. While it fills, pour a capful of shampoo under the trickling water to make a soapy lather. Remove excess hair from each item before placing them in the basin. Allow them to soak between ten and thirty minutes. Use a clean scrub cloth to get rid of oil buildup or coloring stains. Lastly, rinse each tool thoroughly with clear, hot water (be careful not to get burned). Let all items air-dry before putting them away in drawers or on shelves.

It's crucial that you do not share your grooming tools with others, as this can spread scalp irritations or head lice. Even the cleanest person in the world is at risk after coming in contact with someone who has these conditions! If someone asks to borrow your brush, simply say it's not in the cleanest condition (which is true of any tool that has not been freshly washed), or explain that you may have a head condition (even dandruff) that you do not want to expose others to.

Replace your hair grooming tools every six months. This is important since the "teeth" begin to grow dull and lose their effectiveness. Carry a mirror in your purse or keep one at work so you can check your style to make sure hair remains in place. Although your mirror doesn't technically touch your hair, it may be a good idea to wash it occasionally as well.


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