new thread
Hi everyone,
I bought a BBB about 2 months ago to use on non-wash days as they are amazing at bringing out shine/oils and managing hair. Up until recently, I usually used a comb to get any loose hairs out of the brush when after brushing. The other day I decided to wash it with warm water and shampoo because I felt it needed to be cleaned as it more than likely grabs oils from my hair. Unfortunatly, now the brush smells for some reason; a bad smell, not a shampoo smell (it didn't before). So I'm wondering if i should not have ever bothered cleaning it int he first place or if there's a better method to cleaning it. I'm probably gonna get a new one now though haha. Any suggestions?
Thanks, as always.
-Phil
Hey Phil,
I wouldn't bother going that far to clean your brush. I have a BBB as well and I just pluck the loose hairs out with my hands but I never wet it or anything because it may damage or inflict a stench (like yours did). I suggest on getting a new brush, lol, and to just hand pick out the loose hairs or use a comb to get them like you said.
-Hegg
Hey Hegg,
Excellent response. That's what I figured, I'm gonna avoid getting my new one wet lol, it stunk terribly! Thanks for the useful info and STAY METAL!
-Phil
I have a BBB for more than 40 years. I do wash mine, and once let it soak in hot water, and the two layers of wood came apart. I glued them back together. I have lost one tuft of bristles.
I also inherited another, luckily, and I wash it too.
I think there is some defect in your brush. Mine does not smell, and washing it does not make it smell.
I'll certainly never let either of them soak in hot water again.
If you really have / had / a good brush, I'd add some lavender oil to re-smell it.
Cal
Thanks Cal,
I'm gonna give it another wash and see what happens. If it still reaks I'm gonna move on to a new one hehe. I appreciate your response.
-Phil
First of all, I'm really glad you like your BBB, Phil. If I were you, I wouldn't rush out and buy a new brush. I would go to the nearest drugstore or health store and pick up a bottle of tea tree oil. Just about everyone sells it these days. Use a few drops of that in your rinse. (Yes, I suggest you wash it one more time.)
Tea tree oil will definitely get rid of any unpleasant odours. Lavendar oil is good, but Tea Tree oil really kills any source of odour of that nature. It even takes the odour out of stinky shoes and sneakers!
Also, it does take a while for the natural bristles to completely dry. Once it's totally dry, it's unlikely that there will be any more odour of any sort.
You'll also find about a hundred other uses for tea tree oil on the internet, so believe me, it won't go to waste.
Hope that helps.
Franny
My Hair Site
Thanks a lot Franny,
I'm definatly gonna give it another wash just to be sure. I think I have some teatree oil luckily and it's great stuff! I use the Paul Mitchel TeaTree sham/conditioner most of the time and i LOVE it. It definatly gives a fresh smell, so I'm sure it's worth a shot to add some TT oil to my next rinse. I guess if it doesnt work, I'll jsut splurge another $5 for a new one hehe. take care.
-Phil
Hi have a nice purdy brush thank you!
You're welcome, John!
I'm glad a boars bristle brush works for you and I think washing it was the mistake that caused the smell. I use a Nylon brush and it works great for me and never smells. Everyones different though and different things work for different people.
Kevin
YES!! I have the EXACT same brush (in the mint green color) and I use it the most actually; it's great! I only use the BBB when I feel the hair is dry or frizzy and it does the job. Yea as for washing it, I'm gonna give it another shot as a few people said it would be worth it before tossing it and I'm gonna add TT oil as Franny suggested. If it still stinks, I'm gonna just buy a new one heh. Thanks for the feedback and you're right the nylon brushes are excellent, especially becasue they almost never snag.
-Phil
I don't have experience with this method (I don't have a brush,) but here it is. I was reading an American newspaper clipping from 1900, and it said to dip two BBBs in a pan of wheat flour, and then rub them steadily together. It's supposed to remove all the grease and dust from the bristles.
Here's the website with the old articles:
http://rapunzelsdelight.com/images/NewspaperArticles/NewspaperArticles.htm
They're focused on women, except for this one article from the 70s about long haired guys. There are others methods of cleaning brushes in there somewhere, in case you're interested. (It's been awhile since I read them, so I can't be specific.)
Hope this helps,