Brush Care

[LEGION 12]

Hi everyone not having problems with mine but was thinking about it my last shave. How do you prevent problems with your brush i rinse mine right away then flick as much water out as i can then hang it were it will get plenty of air that's it. Is this all i need to do? Thanks

 

[Gollnick]

That is all you need to do.

Rinse throughly, shake out the excess water (no need for violence here, just give a good shake), and then set or, better still, hang it out to dry in where there's air circulation.

If you get soap buildup, then A) maybe you aren't rinsing throughly, B) question your soap; a good shaving soap rinses clean easily, and C) soak the brush in a cup of hot water with a tablespoon or two of borax (get it at the grocery where the laundry soap is sold; not being a featured product, it's usually on the bottom shelf).

You shouldn't have to do the borax soak at all, ever. And if you do need it, it should be rare and on an as-needed basis.

Really, brush care should be easy.

DE wet-shaving is something which should be easy and carefree. It should be quick and utilitarian because you do it everyday. It need not consume a lot of attention.

 

[fast14riot]

Yep, that's all that's needed. But if you wish to give a very thorough cleaning or if you are selling a brush, go to the mall and pick up some MAC makeup brush cleaner, works wonders and SWMBO will be able to use it too, if she wears makeup.


-Xander

 

[Magnaminous_G]

I just shake it out well after a thorough rinse (use a good, strong stream of water to get the soap/cream out of the knot) and then fan the tips against my open fingers a few times to separate them, then hang upside down in a stand (sitting the brush upright on a counter is fine, too). I've never used any products on either of my brushes (I've got two), and they are just fine.

 

[unky_gumbi]

Pretty much what everyone has said is sound, but if you are like me and deal with hard water you may need to do a more thorough cleaning of you brush from time to time. I rotate 3 brushes and may do a full on cleaning of my brushes every 18-24 month. I use this method.

[video=youtube_share;KoPNFW_2sto]http://youtu.be/KoPNFW_2sto[/video]

It may be a placebo effect, but i find that my brushes produce a much fuller lather after a good cleaning. Excessive cleaning will shorten the life of your brush, so only clean it when it really needs it and stick to a good rinsing other wise and give it time to completely dry. If that means getting another brush, than its a good excuse to spend some money

There have been some discussion on if it makes a difference on how to orientate your brush for drying. Some are in the "bristles down" camp, others are in the "it makes no difference camp". the second group claim that capillarity action keeps the water at the base of the knot, so drying times are the same. I am in the hang it bristles down camp, even if it makes no difference in drying times, I just like the way it looks

 

[tomcrx]

Rinse real well, couple gentle shakes, brush lightly on dry towel and then set it on counter to dry.

 

[CWL]

Only thing you don't want to do is let soap build-up in the base. Try not to get any in there when lathering & wash all of it out when rinsing.

Dry & store your brush bristle down so water flows away from the base, that's it.

If you don't have a brush stand, then it is better to store your brush on it's side than upside down where water will collect in it.

I have purchased a few used badger brushes off-of ebay and have noticed the damage done to these brushes when stored bristles-up.

 

[crazyengineer]

I rinse it out, give it a good shake, the. Hang it, have no problems with mine, just make sure you get all the soap out

I've heard of a lot of problems if you don't hang them, so make sure you hang them, I believe if you don't, the knot will rot out, or so I have been told

 

[David Martin]

I've been using a Van Der Hagen brush for 4yrs. and all I do is rinse, squeeze it out and place it in the holder. Which holds it on it's side. I have hard water and have not noticed any concerns to date. DM

 

[u2u]

Only thing you don't want to do is let soap build-up in the base. Try not to get any in there when lathering & wash all of it out when rinsing.

Dry & store your brush bristle down so water flows away from the base, that's it.

If you don't have a brush stand, then it is better to store your brush on it's side than upside down where water will collect in it.

I have purchased a few used badger brushes off-of ebay and have noticed the damage done to these brushes when stored bristles-up.

+1, the only brush I have that has issues stem from the previous owner leaving it on the handle, bristles up, to dry. Soap hardened in the base of the brush and has resisted all efforts at removal. Can't blame the PO though as it is a massive Rooney that no stand I have seen can hold!