Look out for these 5 major signs. We usually replace our shampoo, conditioner, and hair masks, but we tend to keep our trusty hairbrush for life. It goes through our newly washed hair, picks up oils, products, and stray hairs, and gets stuffed into purses and bathroom drawers, but it always makes its way back. A hairbrush, however, should not be something you need to keep forever. There is no one-size-fits-all frequency for replacement, but there are obvious signs that it is time to retire a brush. So before blaming your shampoo for all those bad hair days, consider the actual instrument giving your hair a brush.
Hairbrushes can accumulate a lot of substances over time. Particles such as sebum, skin flakes, hairspray, dust, and dirt can stay on it for long periods, especially if dry shampoo is part of daily hair styling. Though light buildup is normal, regular cleaning is a must. If the residue is hard to get rid of and seems to stick to the bristles, you’d better invest in a new hairbrush. You should clean your brush regularly and not wait until it resembles a small archaeological site. Start by removing the hair stuck in your brush. Depending on the type of brush you’re using, wash it in warm water with mild soap or shampoo, and then leave it out to dry completely. However, soaking isn’t necessary for every type of brush. Some brushes, with bristles made of different materials, require different treatment. If the brush has collected hard residue, smells bad, forms mould, or starts to fall apart during cleaning, the safest option would be to throw it away.