[UrbanSimplicity]

The kind with the wooden handles. I figure letting them air dry in the sun would be nice, and I was thinking of a nice long soak in warm water and TTO. They get smelly because I need to dampen them to comb dds hair out.

Any ideas? My kids' heads stink!

 

[nathansmum]

Not something I have done, but my first thought would be to ensure that the brush gets a good dry off after you've brushed your dd's hair.

but as for now, I'd probably try flicking baking soda through the bristles (you could even add a few drops of eo into the powder before applying - lavender would be nice). If that doesn't work and you do want to wash it (would full on water/soaking make the wood swell and go mouldy though?) you could try baking soda in the water and then dry really well.

 

[UrbanSimplicity]

Yes, nathansmum, thats part of the problem how do you dry the brush after using it? I wipe it quick on a towel and just leave it turned up on top of our cabinet. Not too humid in our br.

I should have added---the brush is really hairy (insert bag-on-head smilie). My intent is to get them clean and not let this happen again.

My brushes need help!

 

[nathansmum]

Well, if it were me I'd pop it in my hotwater cupboard (well, that's what we call them in my country). It's where the hot water heater is and is warm and dry.

Alternatively, could you use a hair dryer on it? I'd air it out in the sun every day probably too.

 

[Jane]

I wash my hairbrushes with mild shampoo. I add a capful to a warm sink and swish and rub until clean, then rinse throughly. Takes about 2 minutes. Never had the wood swell or anything.

If yours has gone mildewy or moldy from being damp, I'm not sure it's salvagable.

There's a lot of advice out there to never brush wet or damp hair, only comb it to prevent breakage. Could you do the first runs with a wide toothed comb and water, then switch to a brush for the final brushes. It might keep the brush dryer and happier.

 

[UrbanSimplicity]

thanks all, i dont get it soaked so I think it's salvagable---my curly haired dd just needs a little spritz to get the dreds out

off to experiment....