Hair tools collect residue fast, and that buildup can leave combs tacky, brushes grimy, and curlers looking like they need a little intervention. This simple comb, brush and curlers cleaner freshens them up with ingredients you probably already have on hand (which is handy, because nobody wants to overthink sink cleaning). You swish each item in warm water, rinse, and let it drip-dry on a clean towel.
Making your own small-batch cleaner costs less than buying a separate specialty tool cleanser. Using current Walmart pricing, 3 tablespoons of baking soda and 3 tablespoons of bleach comes out to well under $1 per batch, while store-bought brush cleaners often cost several dollars per bottle. You also control the strength, skip added fragrance, and mix only what you need.
You only need 2 materials for the cleaning mixture: baking soda and bleach. The method uses a bathroom sink filled with warm water, plus a clean towel for drip-drying after rinsing. Since the original method cleans items one at a time, this works best as a single sinkful batch rather than a bottled cleaner to store.
- 🧰 Materials You'll Need
- 🔧 Tools and Equipment
- 🛠️ How to Clean Combs, Brushes, and Curlers
- 🛠️ How to Use It
- 🛡️ Safety Information
- 💸 Cost Breakdown
- 🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Comb, Brush and Curlers Cleaner
- 📌 Love this Comb, Brush and Curlers Cleaner? Pin it!
- 🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: Comb, Brush and Curlers Cleaner
Materials You’ll Need
- 3 T. baking soda
- 3 T. bleach
- Warm water
Tools and Equipment
- Bathroom sink
- Clean towel
How to Clean Combs, Brushes, and Curlers
- Fill the bathroom sink with warm water.
- Add 3 T. baking soda and 3 T. bleach to the water.
- Swish one comb, brush, or curler in the sink at a time.
- Rinse each item well after cleaning.
- Set the cleaned items on a clean towel and let them drip dry.
How to Use It
Use this cleaner when your combs, brushes, or curlers start showing visible residue or feel less than fresh. Clean one item at a time so you can swish, rinse, and move it straight to the towel without crowding the sink.
If you also clean other household odds and ends regularly, you might like this Thermos Bottle Cleaner or this Makeup Sponge and Brush Solution for beauty tools.
Safety Information
Rinse each item well after cleaning, and mix this only in a well-ventilated area. Bleach should always stay diluted with water and should never be mixed with ammonia, acids, or other cleaners, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explains. Since this method uses bleach, avoid using it on items that could be damaged by bleach or that include materials the manufacturer says should not be bleached.
Cost Breakdown
This batch is inexpensive because it uses small amounts of two common household materials. Based on current Walmart pricing for Great Value bleach and baking soda, the consumable cost for 3 tablespoons of each ingredient is approximately $0.43 per batch. Prices vary by store and package size, but this still comes in far below most specialty brush-cleaning products.
🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
Frequently Asked Questions about Comb, Brush and Curlers Cleaner
No. This method works best as a fresh sinkful batch. Mix it, clean your combs, brushes, or curlers, then drain the sink when you’re done.
Yes, that’s the original method. Cleaning one at a time makes it easier to swish each piece thoroughly, rinse it well, and set it aside to drip dry without juggling a pile of slippery tools.
Yes. Rinse each item well after swishing it in the cleaning water, then place it on a clean towel to drip dry.
The method calls for warm water, so stick with that. It does the job without changing the original formula or process.
It was written for curlers along with combs and brushes, so yes, that’s an intended use. If your curlers have special coatings, fabric covers, or manufacturer care instructions, follow those first.
Use common sense here. This cleaner contains bleach, so it may not suit every material or finish. If your brush has wood, delicate padding, natural fibers, or specialty parts, check the maker’s care instructions before using it.
The original method doesn’t specify gloves, but you should avoid splashing and handle the bleach carefully. Good ventilation and a thorough rinse matter more than bravado.
Clean them whenever you see visible buildup or they start feeling grimy. How often that happens depends on how much product you use and how many tools rotate through your bathroom.
I wouldn’t use this method for makeup brushes unless the manufacturer specifically allows it. A gentler dedicated option makes more sense there, such as Budget101’s makeup sponge and brush solution.
📌 Love this Comb, Brush and Curlers Cleaner? Pin it!
Did you try this cleaner? Tell us what kind of combs, brushes, or curlers you cleaned and what worked best in your routine.
🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: Comb, Brush and Curlers Cleaner
Comb, Brush and Curlers Cleaner
Equipment
Materials
- 3 T. baking soda
- 3 T. bleach
- Warm water
Instructions
- Fill the bathroom sink with warm water.
- Add 3 T. baking soda and 3 T. bleach to the water.
- Swish one comb, brush, or curler in the sink at a time.
- Rinse each item well after cleaning.
- Set the cleaned items on a clean towel and let them drip dry.
- https://www.budget101.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/homemade-comb-brush-curler-cleaner.jpg
- Mix this cleaner fresh in the sink and do not store it.
- Rinse items well after cleaning.
- Use in a well-ventilated area.
- Do not mix bleach with ammonia, acids, or other cleaners.
- Check manufacturer care instructions for delicate, wood, padded, or specialty brush materials.
