Simple Green to clean a brush?!
- Thread starter TonyH
- Start date
That potent stuff is non-toxic? Potent as in the smell, that is.
I can't imagine anything capable of stripping wax would be good for the hairs of your brush. But, then again, people do use alcohol. I don't know. I have no clue why I responded to this, I don't have anything education.
I can't imagine anything capable of stripping wax would be good for the hairs of your brush. But, then again, people do use alcohol. I don't know. I have no clue why I responded to this, I don't have anything education.
I wouldn't.. I use simple green on a daily basis to clean my equipment from the oils and grease.. It may say non- toxic but it is a skin irritant and dries out the skin.. If you use to much of it on something it leaves a residue, and it doesn't work nice with your hair.. I had some of it on my hair once to get fresh tar out, it brittles it and you have to get a haircut... I can only imagine what it might do with a expensive brush, I got a ultra cheap one.. but when I upgrade I would be very careful on the care of it 
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I would recommend the tutorial at Em's place. Has a video, too.
Basically, she washes the brush with dishwashing liquid, then soaks it in the soapy water for about 10 minutes, then scrubs it with an old toothbrush and rinses it out really well.
Then, she puts some vinegar, some glycerin, and some water in a container and soaks the brush with some agitation for about 45 seconds, then rinses it out.
Good as new.
I would NOT use Simple Green on a shaving brush.
Basically, she washes the brush with dishwashing liquid, then soaks it in the soapy water for about 10 minutes, then scrubs it with an old toothbrush and rinses it out really well.
Then, she puts some vinegar, some glycerin, and some water in a container and soaks the brush with some agitation for about 45 seconds, then rinses it out.
Good as new.
I would NOT use Simple Green on a shaving brush.
I wouldn't use Simple Green on a shaving brush either. I use it to clean my bowling equipment and it gets into the coverstock really well but also drys everything out. Although non-toxic it may damage the hair on the brush. The vinegar/water routine is a safer bet IMO.
Could work, but that stuff is pretty concentrated straight. It'll probably be pain to remove from your brush. Personally, I think you're better off using borax, dish soap or something along those lines.
What are trying to accomplish exactly by cleaning the brush? Are you trying to remove soap residue from usage? Rid a new brush of any stink it has?
What are trying to accomplish exactly by cleaning the brush? Are you trying to remove soap residue from usage? Rid a new brush of any stink it has?
What do you think about using it to clean the razor?
Definitely NOT if it is gold and I an not sure I'd trust such a strong cleaner on any finish. If you do, dilute it a LOT. They recommend a 10:1 water-to-solution ratio for cleaning an oven and they recommend using it at 1:1 as an engine degreaser! At 150:1
, it's an effective window cleaner!Degreasers I have used at various jobs have been very bad for my hands, so I would not want any of that residue on my face either, especially if I nick myself.
This stuff is just way too strong to use on a razor. If it doesn't damage the finish, it could end up damaging your face.
Definitely NOT if it is gold and I an not sure I'd trust such a strong cleaner on any finish. If you do, dilute it a LOT. They recommend a 10:1 water-to-solution ratio for cleaning an oven and they recommend using it at 1:1 as an engine degreaser! At 150:1
Degreasers I have used at various jobs have been very bad for my hands, so I would not want any of that residue on my face either, especially if I nick myself.
This stuff is just way too strong to use on a razor. If it doesn't damage the finish, it could end up damaging your face.
Heh yeah that's kind of what I was thinking. I just used it a lot to clean off my RC stuff when I raced.
- Thread starter
- #11
So...I tried it and it didn't kill my brush.
The brush in question is a silvertip DOVO, with the olivewood handle. Not a cheap brush, but also nothing extravagant. The problem I have is that this brush likes to "clump" at every opportunity. I have never been able to get the bristles totally clean, and yes I've used the vinegar and the Borax methods before. I even tried the brush cleaning powder that classicshaving.com sells and that didn't help either. My brush would feel clean on the outset, and then lose all water retention ability within a day or two.
I used a 2c pyrex measuring cup and added just enough Simple Green to cover the bottom, then filled the rest of the way with hot tap water. I hesitantly put the brush in, gave it a swish, and let it sit. Within a minute the water was cloudy with soapy gunk and the clumps of bristles were breaking up. I let it sit for about 15 minutes total, swishing the brush around every five minutes or so.
After the Green bath, a thorough hot water rinse and a wash with straight dish soap. Another 15 minutes in a vinegar solution followed by another wash and finally a conditioner rinse.
Viola! My brush is like new again. I put a little lemon oil on the handle to get it all shiny and pretty and couldn't be happier. No ill effects whatsoever.
Plus, if had ruined my brush I guess I'd just have to finally spring for that Rooney Beehive that I've been lusting after.
The brush in question is a silvertip DOVO, with the olivewood handle. Not a cheap brush, but also nothing extravagant. The problem I have is that this brush likes to "clump" at every opportunity. I have never been able to get the bristles totally clean, and yes I've used the vinegar and the Borax methods before. I even tried the brush cleaning powder that classicshaving.com sells and that didn't help either. My brush would feel clean on the outset, and then lose all water retention ability within a day or two.
I used a 2c pyrex measuring cup and added just enough Simple Green to cover the bottom, then filled the rest of the way with hot tap water. I hesitantly put the brush in, gave it a swish, and let it sit. Within a minute the water was cloudy with soapy gunk and the clumps of bristles were breaking up. I let it sit for about 15 minutes total, swishing the brush around every five minutes or so.
After the Green bath, a thorough hot water rinse and a wash with straight dish soap. Another 15 minutes in a vinegar solution followed by another wash and finally a conditioner rinse.
Viola! My brush is like new again. I put a little lemon oil on the handle to get it all shiny and pretty and couldn't be happier. No ill effects whatsoever.
Plus, if had ruined my brush I guess I'd just have to finally spring for that Rooney Beehive that I've been lusting after.
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Very daring and not unheard of using Simply Green to clean a brush.
However the brushes in question are usually china bristle paint brushes and SG gets the latex paint out.
For my badger and boar brushes I use peppermint twist anti-bacterial hand soap from Bath& Body Works (seasonal- Christmas-time) and hot water.
It leaves them with a fresh minty smell.
It is important to get the water out. Professional painters use a brush spinner. Not really applicable for the bathroom setting but you can get the same result by shaking it out in the tub and drying with a towel and leaving it UPSIDE DOWN to dry out.
I am glad you have had no ill effects. Hopefully the badger hair knot does not become unglued from the handle because the chemicals will eat away at the glue.
Take care,
John
However the brushes in question are usually china bristle paint brushes and SG gets the latex paint out.
For my badger and boar brushes I use peppermint twist anti-bacterial hand soap from Bath& Body Works (seasonal- Christmas-time) and hot water.
It leaves them with a fresh minty smell.
It is important to get the water out. Professional painters use a brush spinner. Not really applicable for the bathroom setting but you can get the same result by shaking it out in the tub and drying with a towel and leaving it UPSIDE DOWN to dry out.
I am glad you have had no ill effects. Hopefully the badger hair knot does not become unglued from the handle because the chemicals will eat away at the glue.
Take care,
John
Lemon Pledge .
Spray it on the tips and sides of the brush . Then buff with a clean towel for a minute . Done . Then try not to stick you nose into your clean brush . The lemon smell is very attractive .
You don't use another soap to remove soap scum . Which is what you are removing off the brush to begin with .
Lemon Pledge is also fabulous for hard water stains on your bathroom shower doors . It returns the doors to a like new status . And you got to love the fresh lemon scent .
Lastly Lemon Pledge works great for polishing/cleaning motorcycles and cars . Run a towel fogged with it over the paint and all . I think this is the same thing as that Honda spray in the can that costs a fortune . Makes your paint shine like new or actually better than new .
cityjim
Spray it on the tips and sides of the brush . Then buff with a clean towel for a minute . Done . Then try not to stick you nose into your clean brush . The lemon smell is very attractive .
You don't use another soap to remove soap scum . Which is what you are removing off the brush to begin with .
Lemon Pledge is also fabulous for hard water stains on your bathroom shower doors . It returns the doors to a like new status . And you got to love the fresh lemon scent .
Lastly Lemon Pledge works great for polishing/cleaning motorcycles and cars . Run a towel fogged with it over the paint and all . I think this is the same thing as that Honda spray in the can that costs a fortune . Makes your paint shine like new or actually better than new .
cityjim
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I will just say what I do. First, I clean the brush with shampoo. Then, I soak it for a while in diluted white vinegar (i.e., an acid wash). Rinse well and done.
Tim
Tim
I wouldn't use a silicone based product on my brush. Silicone is a used as a water repellant and sealer.
Pledge is best left to furnature that is of little value and lower quality. It should never be used on antiques, or anything that you want to keep a finish on for a long time.
Obviously someone owns stock in "Lemon Pledge"
Clean hair with pledge, not logical, scary even.
Do you also use Windex to help with psoriasis? (aka "My Big Fat Greek Wedding")
Who would clean a brush made from hair with hot water and a stronger soap or shampoo? (Maybe a light brushing as well) The rest of us!
One note, vinegar is acidic and can work well in initial deep cleaning.; but if you clean your brush with each use, you never need these drastic measures.
John
