How often do you all clean your shaving brushes? I got to thinking about this today, after I cleaned the one I had just shaved with. I usually clean my with detergent or shampoo every three or four months. I have a brush rotation so one brush doesn't get used for more than a few days and then another takes its place. I have no idea if I even need to clean them that often, but I do it.
How often do you clean your brushes?
- Thread starter Doc Dan
- Start date
I don't clean my brushes. I rinse and dry them after each use pretty well. Really don't find it necessary to put them through more than that. Maybe once a year I'll lather one up with head and shoulders shampoo/conditioner.
Same here.
@Chan Eil Whiskers/Jim mentioned a great product a while back: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00134B9ZC?psc=1&ref=p Ship-Shape brush and comb cleaner.
It works just as well as advertised. I used it on all brushes a week or so ago.
It works just as well as advertised. I used it on all brushes a week or so ago.
Never. I just rinse well under warm water, shake and dry on a clean towel.
It smells fabulous as the soap scent stays on the brush….
Imho, the soap cleans the brush anyway with use, and only needs a rinse and dry.
It smells fabulous as the soap scent stays on the brush….
Imho, the soap cleans the brush anyway with use, and only needs a rinse and dry.
On the one hand, I clean them after each use but it may not be the same as what other guys do. After shaving, I hold the brush under warm (not hot hot) water circling the knot at the base (kinda like the "OK" sign. I squeeze and relax and squeeze and relax the knot under the water until all traces of soap are gone. Then, I give it a final squeeze in the sink and shake it well in the shower (neatness, doncha know).
Brush it it up and down and side to side (gently) on a clean towel and hang it on my stand until the next day and then back on the shelf until it's used next (usually 2-4 days). I've done this for years and feel my brushes are in great shape. When they are totally dry, I comb them out as well.
Brush it it up and down and side to side (gently) on a clean towel and hang it on my stand until the next day and then back on the shelf until it's used next (usually 2-4 days). I've done this for years and feel my brushes are in great shape. When they are totally dry, I comb them out as well.
I usually use the same brush for about a month before switching. I thoroughly rinse and dry after each use, but wash it with a mild straight shampoo(no conditioner, etc...)with another thorough rinse and dry when I rotate to the next brush. So, about once a month, and all of my brushes are still in really good condition. Do you need to clean them? I don't know, but IMO it doesn't hurt to take extra care of your stuff.
I'm rotating three SV 2.0 brushes at the moment.... they are pretty good right out of the "box" but they improve with time. I bought one used here from @SgtCrppls so I know where they will end up... spectacular for me. As always, YMMV. Like everything else, we each end up developing preferences.
I also rinse my brushes well after each shave, then let them air dry! That’s it for me.
A few years ago I re-knotted a Badger brush that I'd used for around 30 years. It had only been throughly rinsed and dried after each shave. It was wore out, but clean.
There may be a good reason to 'clean' a brush, but I've never seen the need. After all, I shave with soap. But who knows, I could be all wet.
There may be a good reason to 'clean' a brush, but I've never seen the need. After all, I shave with soap. But who knows, I could be all wet.
Ditto.
EclipseRedRing
I smell like a Christmas pudding
I never clean my brushes, or razors, as a thorough rinse after use is all that is needed. I am fortunate to have a very soft domestic water supply but I can well imagine that if I lived in a hard water area then some additional cleaning might be required, possibly using a cleaning product or solution. The same soft water makes lathering any soap a very simple process.
When it comes to razors, I gently scrub them after every blade change. I like clean razors.
Our tap water is horrendous. Still, I clean my brushes after I use them like I would a professional grade paint brush.
I plan to use the Ship-Shape as needed but I doubt I'll need to clean my brushes more than once a year. I guess I need to pick a date. <eg>
I plan to use the Ship-Shape as needed but I doubt I'll need to clean my brushes more than once a year. I guess I need to pick a date. <eg>
A small nylon bristle fingernail brush works great. So does a toothbrush.
I shower with soap...my brushes get soap on them...so in my mind they ARE clean.
Rinse them till the water runs clear, then rinse and squeeze them out for another 10 seconds or so and shake then lightly brush them dry after every use. Never washed a brush except ones I bought used on arrival.
Just regular use, rinse and dry, no extra attention. Things seem good in brushland.
EclipseRedRing
I smell like a Christmas pudding
I wonder if users like myself who simply rinse their brushes with no extra cleaning required are living in soft water areas. Brush maintenance is so very simple that for there to be significant numbers of experienced B&B members who are having to clean their brushes then there must be another factor in play. I wonder if they have a hard water domestic supply with a high mineral content which is causing a build up of residue in the knot. If so then simply advising them to rinse their brush thoroughly or wash it out in the shower is pretty useless advice 
