How To Clean A Horsehair Hair Brush

aDrummingDude

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 19, 2014

Messages: 105

Reaction score: 39

Has anyone ever tried this?

I have an old brush I use for black shoes which is gunked up to the point that it deposits streaks on the shoe I'm trying to shine with it. Searching the internet for how to clean horsehair shoe brushes turns up pretty sparse results, and certainly nothing I've seen authored by any credible source.

The brush in question, while I like it, isn't something I'm not willing to sacrifice if it all goes wrong in the dishwasher, so I think I'll try.

Last edited: Sep 16, 2014

jerrybrowne

Distinguished Member

Joined: Jul 29, 2009

Messages: 2,929

Reaction score: 643

Has anyone ever tried this?

I have an old brush I use for black shoes which is gunked up to the point that it deposits streaks on the shoe I'm trying to shine with it. Searching the internet for how to clean horsehair shoe brushes turns up pretty sparse results, and certainly nothing I've seen authored by any credible source.

The brush in question, while I like it, isn't something I'm not willing to sacrifice if it all goes wrong in the dishwasher, so I think I'll try.

I use dish soap, rinse liberally, then dry bristles down.

aDrummingDude

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 19, 2014

Messages: 105

Reaction score: 39

I use dish soap, rinse liberally, then dry bristles down.

Yeah, I think I'll try this first, and perhaps the dishwasher method on a cheaper Kiwi brush.

bengal-stripe

Joined: Mar 23, 2002

Messages: 4,586

Reaction score: 1,146

Don't get the wood soaked, otherwise it might crack during drying.

Hold the brush at an angle under running warm water. Put a dollop of shampoo on top of the wet bristles and run your fingers through the bristles for a minute or so and produce a good lather. Then rinse under running water until all the water runs clear. You'll be amazed how much muck will rinse out. Then dry with the bristles down (to prevent all the water sitting in the wood).

DWFII

Bespoke Boot and Shoemaker

Dubiously Honored

Joined: Jan 8, 2008

Messages: 10,080

Reaction score: 5,544

Sometimes...maybe more often than not...the bundles of horsehair are held in the wood with paste, or at least a water based glue. If the water gets down in the "follicle," so to speak, the hair can start slipping.

Days later.

Last edited: Sep 17, 2014

aDrummingDude

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 19, 2014

Messages: 105

Reaction score: 39

Don't get the wood soaked, otherwise it might crack during drying.

Hold the brush at an angle under running warm water. Put a dollop of shampoo on top of the wet bristles and run your fingers through the bristles for a minute or so and produce a good lather. Then rinse under running water until all the water runs clear. You'll be amazed how much muck will rinse out. Then dry with the bristles down (to prevent all the water sitting in the wood).

Hey thanks! I think I'll try this method.

aDrummingDude

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 19, 2014

Messages: 105

Reaction score: 39

Hand washing with dish soap worked like a charm! Thanks guys.

patrickBOOTH

Joined: Oct 16, 2006

Messages: 37,621

Reaction score: 12,400

I've done it, but recently have only used dish soap. I also lightly condition the wooden handle with coconut oil so it doesn't splinter and such over time. Just make sure if you do this not to get any on the bristles as it will transpose onto your shoes.

aDrummingDude

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 19, 2014

Messages: 105

Reaction score: 39

I've done it, but recently have only used dish soap. I also lightly condition the wooden handle with coconut oil so it doesn't splinter and such over time. Just make sure if you do this not to get any on the bristles as it will transpose onto your shoes.

The bristles didn't fall out in the dishwasher?

patrickBOOTH

Joined: Oct 16, 2006

Messages: 37,621

Reaction score: 12,400

Dolly12

New Member

Joined: Feb 27, 2020

Messages: 4

Reaction score: 1

Has anyone ever tried this?

I have an old brush I use for black shoes which is gunked up to the point that it deposits streaks on the shoe I'm trying to shine with it. Searching the internet for how to clean horsehair shoe brushes turns up pretty sparse results, and certainly nothing I've seen authored by any credible source.

The brush in question, while I like it, isn't something I'm not willing to sacrifice if it all goes wrong in the dishwasher, so I think I'll try.

I'm a painter, so i always wash my brushes there! it is not a bog deal...

Joffrey

Stylish Dinosaur

Joined: Jun 18, 2006

Messages: 11,970

Reaction score: 1,284

I've done it, but recently have only used dish soap. I also lightly condition the wooden handle with coconut oil so it doesn't splinter and such over time. Just make sure if you do this not to get any on the bristles as it will transpose onto your shoes.

The bristles didn't fall out in the dishwasher?

You used dish soap in the dishwasher??

patrickBOOTH

Joined: Oct 16, 2006

Messages: 37,621

Reaction score: 12,400

Dishwasher detergent, fuck head.

Dolly12

New Member

Joined: Feb 27, 2020

Messages: 4

Reaction score: 1

I am an artist and often wash my brushes in the dishwasher. And do not worry about their condition. Firstly, because only the highest quality brushes can be washed in the dishwasher, and secondly, only in the delicate washing mode. my brushes and dishwasher correspond to these parameters. By the way, this is one of the few dishwashers that have a similar mode. I bought it here: ianboer.com.au