End of Year Brush Cleaning

[njpaddy]

Just a reminder and public service announcement. According to Thater, dried up lather is the most common cause of badger hair shedding. At least twice a year I clean all my brushes at the same time. New Years is always a good time to start the year. I changed my cleaning method a bit during this year. Instead of using dish soap I now lather the brush directly on my ("glycerin-rich") Neutrogena Facial Bar and build a palm lather. I then use a soft toothbrush in an upward motion where the handle meets the knot. The brush gets rinsed, then dunked a couple times in a cup of vinegar and water (I no longer soak it), another rinse with water, a few strokes on paper towel and they are clean and left to dry. For intermittent cleanings of individual brushes that I use more frequently, I lather the brush from the Neutrogena bar after a shave and forego the vinegar rinse. It's quick and easy and it's handy since I wash my face with the Neutrogena bar before I shave.

Brushes L-R: Thater 4125/2 (2-band); 49125/0 (3-band); Rooney 3/1 (Super); Rooney 1/1 (Silvertip) Simpson Rover (Best); Simpson Duke 1 (Best).

 

[Attila]

Thanks for this. What is the ratio of vinegar and water if I may ask?

 

[Neognosis]

Thanks for the info. Although, it seems like too much effort and I can't be bothered.

I also don't have any brushes that cost more than 80 dollars though, so....

 

[njpaddy]

Thanks for this. What is the ratio of vinegar and water if I may ask?

I just wing it. Maybe 30-70. If I was soaking the brush, instead of just a few dunks, I would use less vinegar. Here's one of the usual videos. And another thread here. BTW, Thater recommends against using Borax. With soft water you may not need to clean your brushes as often. With my well water, I find tallow soaps and creams gunk up the brush faster than glycerin shave soaps.

 

[Attila]

Thank you Brian. Much appreciated.

 

[tomcj2]

I would suggest that August 3rd be the other day each year that you clean your brushes.

 

[johns777]

Thanks for the info. Although, it seems like too much effort and I can't be bothered.

I also don't have any brushes that cost more than 80 dollars though, so....

There are other methods of cleaning brushes as well. I use the one on the shave brush sticky, it seems easier than this method. Either way you do it, I think cleaning them at the end of the year is a great idea. I have a few myself that could use a good cleaning.

 

[random-hero]

thanks for the reminder Brian.

 

[john parker]

Thanks, Brian! Needed the reminder; guess I had best get mine out and clean them!

 

[ackvil]

For a good post on how to clean a shaving brush look here. The only addition I have is to put a tiny bit of hair conditioner on the brush before rinsing it all out.

 

[mistercitizen]

Thanks for the reminder and BTW, nice collection!! You've got a few brushes in that crowd that are making me quite envious.

Ben

 

[Shave_Rat]

On my list to do tomorrow now, and a reminder on the calendar in early August after my camping trip vacation to do it again. They'll need it then anyways, the campgrounds has really hard water.

Thanks for the heads up.