Soaking brush in water out of a kettle or hot-pot.

[Azza]

Hi guys.
My brush a Silvertip Badger is no longer as soft as it used to be after doing this. I saw a video about the 'hot-pot method' of generating hot lather and tried it. It involved soaking the brush in boiling water. I am disappointed I tried it because the hairs on my Silvertip have changed and the brush isn't the same. It still works but isn't as soft!

I know there are people out there who use boiling water on their brushes and say it causes no problems but my slant is it is not worth the risk!

Aaron

 

[Blondie]

Try using the cleaning method at Em's Place? Also, have you been using the brush for awhile? It may just need a good cleaning anyway.

Follow the instructions, and use the conditioner like in the video, it might restore the softness to your bristles.

Good Luck!

 

[dpmtherrien]

The brush cleaning instructions are very good, but first just try giving your brush a couple of good shampoo's followed by using a good hair conditioner. Rinse well with warm water, followed by cold water. Give your brush a few good shakes, dry lightly on a towel and hang to dry. Should bring your brushes right back to normal. Try this first, and if that doesn't work use the cleaning video and follow what they say.

 

[DESkydiver]

The brush cleaning instructions are very good, but first just try giving your brush a couple of good shampoo's followed by using a good hair conditioner. Rinse well with warm water, followed by cold water. Give your brush a few good shakes, dry lightly on a towel and hang to dry. Should bring your brushes right back to normal. Try this first, and if that doesn't work use the cleaning video and follow what they say.

It may not be necessary to go to the full cleansing extreme yet... It's all about reduction, not elimination.

 

[Azza]

I will give the conditioner a shot, hope it works, it makes sense. I really miss the softness of the bush. It is not old at all, about 20 uses. It's like the hot water has almost melted the hairs. I can see the tips are not the same.

Aaron

 

[Topgumby]

I'd shy away from boiling hot water, but I've used hot water from a kettle with no ill effects on my Omega #49 boar or my little Tweezerman.

 

[wwp512]

I was wondering about using boiling water on a brush.

One is the change of the hairs, the second is the concern of such hot water on the knot, isn't the heat going to loosen the knot?

I hate to find out the hard way! I think I'll stick with "hot" water.

 

[Chuckaluck]

No offense to Ems Place, but I am not going to clean my brush with vinegar! :-( I cannot stand the smell of vinegar, and I do not want that smell on my brush. Borax works fine for me!

 

[Azza]

Not worth the risk that your brush knot cannot handle the heat or that the boiling water changes the hair properties. I learnt the hard way!

Aaron

 

[superspot]

I have been using a small Bodum hot-pot for about a year and a half now, I got the idea from here on B & B , I get the water just deep enough to cover the brush only and not the handle and have not noticed any changes or problems. I do order the brush cleaner from classic shaving.com and use it every month to clean my brush. The way it smells it must have a lot of borax in it and it works good. Try it.

 

[xgunterx]

Both my new Shavemacs include a paper for maintenance instructions.
It states to avoid boiling water, strong detergents and soda.

 

[mdunn]

try the cleaning method, but if the tips look different (which doesnt sound like it just needs a good cleaning), then it could be that the brush is borked.

personally, I dont put my brush in water that I cant hold my hand undwater in

 

[figaro_black]

One of the better conditioners for real hair is aloe vera mixed with vegetable oil (my favourite is safflower). Cheap, effective and once you rinse it out there should be no nasty buildups.