How to Clean a Hairbrush with Baking Soda (Salon Method)

Few things feel as satisfying as running a clean brush through fresh hair — until you flip it over and spot that grey fuzz lodged between the bristles. That residue is a mix of dust, product buildup, and natural oils. Here’s how to clean a hairbrush with baking soda using methods that hair professionals actually rely on, without damaging your brush or your hair.

Baking soda per 1 liter water: 2-4 tablespoons · Soak time: 10-15 minutes · Recommended cleaning frequency: Every 2-4 weeks · Bacteria reduction with regular cleaning: Up to 98%

Six key details before we dive into the methods:

What is the fastest way to clean a hairbrush?

Quick soak method with baking soda

• Fill a basin with warm water and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda per liter (Spornette).
• Remove all hair from the brush first using a tail comb or fingers.
• Submerge the bristles (not the handle for wooden brushes) and soak for 5–10 minutes (Happy Hair Brush).

Baking soda paste for spot cleaning

• Mix 1 tablespoon baking soda with a few drops of water to form a paste.
• Apply directly to greasy or product-caked bristles with an old toothbrush.
• Let sit for 5 minutes, then scrub and rinse (Reddit discussions (community advice)).

Alcohol spray for rapid sanitizing

• Use rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle for a no-soak quick clean.
• Spray liberally on bristles after removing hair, then wipe with a microfiber cloth.
• This method sanitizes but doesn’t remove deep buildup — it’s best between full cleans (Kent Salon).

The pattern: if you need speed, the soak method wins for buildup removal, while alcohol spray works for daily freshness. The trade-off is that paste and alcohol treatments leave some residue behind — a full soak is still the gold standard for deep clean.

The implication: understanding these options lets you match the method to your schedule and brush type.

How do hairdressers clean hairbrushes?

Professional soaking protocol

• Hairdressers always remove every strand first — hair left in bristles traps bacteria and slows drying (Spornette).
• They use clarifying shampoo or a baking soda soak, never harsh bleach (Kent Salon).
• For salon-grade sanitizing, some professionals use a disinfecting spray like Saloncide after cleaning (Kent Salon).

Tools professionals use

• A tail comb for hair removal — it slides under bristles without bending them.
• An old toothbrush or small scrub brush for detail work between bristles.
• Rubber brush mats for grip when scrubbing.

Frequency in salon settings

• Salon brushes are cleaned after each client or at least weekly (Kent Salon).
• Home users should deep clean every 2–4 weeks, says Happy Hair Brush.

The implication: professional technique comes down to discipline — removing hair first and using the right detergent. For home users, copying the salon protocol means deeper cleans and longer brush life.

How to clean a hairbrush with baking soda and vinegar?

Baking soda and vinegar reaction

• Mixing baking soda (base) with vinegar (acid) produces carbon dioxide bubbles that help loosen grime (Spornette).
• Important: combine them in water, not directly on the brush — the fizzing action needs liquid to work.
• Some stylists caution that the combination can be too abrasive for delicate bristles if used undiluted (Hair.com).

Step-by-step soak instructions

1. Remove all hair from the brush.
2. Fill a bowl with warm water — about 1 liter.
3. Add 2 tablespoons baking soda and 1/4 cup white vinegar. The mixture will fizz.
4. Submerge the brush up to the base of the bristles (avoid wooden handles).
5. Let soak for 10–15 minutes (Reddit r/CleaningTips (community advice)).
6. Swish the brush occasionally to dislodge debris.

Rinsing and drying tips

• Rinse the brush thoroughly under cool running water to remove all cleaning residue.
• Shake off excess water vigorously.
• Place the brush bristles-down on a clean, dry towel and air dry overnight (Happy Hair Brush).

The catch: baking soda and vinegar together are potent, but not for every brush type. For wooden or vintage brushes, a gentle shampoo soak is safer — the fizzing may loosen glue or crack lacquer over time.

What this means: choose the soak only for plastic or metal brushes; for natural materials, stick to paste or shampoo cleaning.

What is the disadvantage of using baking soda on hair?

How baking soda affects hair pH

• Baking soda has a pH around 8.3 (Christophe Robin), while healthy hair and scalp sit at pH 4.5–5.5.
• Using baking soda directly on hair can temporarily raise pH, lifting the hair cuticle and causing dryness or frizz.
• This effect is why many dermatologists recommend against using baking soda as a regular shampoo (Christophe Robin).

Potential damage to hair cuticles

• Frequent alkaline treatments can weaken hair fibers over time, leading to breakage.
• The cuticle layer, once raised, may not fully reseal without acidic conditioning.
• Color-treated and chemically processed hair is especially vulnerable.

Best practices to minimize risk

• Never leave baking soda paste on hair or scalp — rinse immediately after a short contact time.
• Follow with a vinegar rinse (diluted) to restore pH balance, then condition thoroughly.
• Limit baking soda hair treatments to once a month at most (Christophe Robin).

What this means for you: baking soda is excellent for cleaning brushes — that’s its sweet spot. Using it on your hair is riskier and should be done with caution and a good conditioner.

How do you deep clean hair brushes?

Deep cleaning with baking soda and clarifying shampoo

• Combine 2 tablespoons baking soda with a squirt of clarifying shampoo in warm water.
• This gives you the degreasing power of baking soda plus the detergent action of shampoo.
• Soak for 15 minutes, then scrub with a toothbrush (TikTok tutorials (social media advice)).

Removing embedded product residue

• For grey fuzz that won’t come off with soaking, use a toothpick or the point of a comb to lift the fibers between bristles.
• Then scrub the base plate with the baking soda paste to dissolve dried product.
• Rinse thoroughly — leftover baking soda can leave white residue on dark bristles (Hair.com).

Drying methods to prevent mold

• After deep cleaning, blot the brush with a towel to remove as much moisture as possible.
• Lay the brush on its side or bristles-down on a towel — never flat on the back where water pools inside the cushion.
• Allow to air dry completely (overnight) before storing or using (Happy Hair Brush).

The trade-off: a deep clean takes time — about 30 minutes hands-on plus overnight drying — but it removes the grey fuzz that builds up from months of product use. Skipping it means that fuzz becomes a breeding ground for bacteria (Christophe Robin).

The implication: a regular deep cleaning schedule keeps brushes hygienic and extends their lifespan.

“Baking soda is one of the most effective natural cleaners for hairbrushes because it breaks down the sebum and hairspray residue that shampoo alone sometimes leaves behind.”

— Professional stylist quoted in Spornette’s expert guide

“Dirty hairbrushes can transfer bacteria, dead skin cells, and old product back into clean hair. Regular cleaning is part of basic hair hygiene.”

— A dermatologist cited by Christophe Robin’s care advice

For the average consumer in Singapore’s humid climate, the choice is clear: clean with baking soda every two weeks if you use heavy products, or monthly if you’re a minimalist. For those who own wooden or boar bristle brushes, the paste method and alcohol spray provide safer alternatives — the soaking method simply risks too much moisture damage for those tools.