When you don't clean your hairbrush, whether it's just removing excess hair by hand or using a brush cleaner, Valles says, "it will eventually get full of hair and the bristles will become shorter and less effective because of all the buildup."

So now you know you need to clean your brushes, how do you get started? It’s not as fiddly as you might assume, all you need are: your hairbrush, warm water, baking soda, shampoo or dish soap and a toothbrush. Cleaning your hairbrush is a simple step you can take to ensure you're keeping your hair nice and clean. But how often should you be cleaning it? We spoke with a few experts to help us determine the answer. How Often Should You Clean Your Hairbrush? Our dog tester now looks forward to being groomed with these gloves. With weekly use, their fur is softer and shinier, and there is noticeably less shedding around the home they share with their human. And for a thorough cleaning, the gloves can be machine-washed and air-dried. Ask yourself when you last cleaned your hairbrush. If you frequently wash yours, you're ahead of the game. But if you don't, you're not alone. Still, think about how much you use your hairbrush, and try to recall the last time you cleaned it. Now imagine your dirty brush working its way through newly washed hair, distributing those remnants all over again. Dog brushes come in different styles for use on dogs with different types of coats. Some of the most common dog brushes include:The soft bristles are very close together so they are better suited and more effective with short-hair, but with both long and short, we did notice an improvement after using the brush on our cats' fur. The long-haired cat wasn't thrilled with the experience, but their fur was smoother, softer, and silkier after brushing with the bristle side. On the other hand, the pin side was immediately welcomed and adored by the long-haired cat, who reveled in the feeling of the pins. This side took out some of her excess loose hair and detangled her long hair well, except for any matted and knotted fur.

Clean the bristles. All of the debris and dust may be more apparent after washing it, which is the perfect time to grab your toothbrush, and scrub between the bristles to remove the buildup. Gently pat the hairbrush with a clean towel to remove excess water and let it air dry completely before using it again,” says Kate. The heads of the pins have rounded tips, so the brush is particularly gentle. Our testers with short-haired dogs didn’t collect quite as much fur, but all dogs seemed to be less bothered by this brush, particularly the soft-bristled side. If you have a very dirty brush, you might need to use an old toothbrush to clean the base and bristles. Also, hair sheds every day. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it’s normal to shed 50 to 100 hairs a day. A lot of this hair can accumulate at the base of the brush.The Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush is effective, versatile, and suitable for a variety of dog coats. One side has stainless steel pins that can help untangle knots and collect loose hair, particularly for dogs with long, curly, or wiry fur. On the flip side, the brush head has soft nylon bristles for fluffing and for short coats. The bristles also help spread your dog’s natural oils throughout the coat for shiny, soft hair. The heads of the pins have rounded tips, so the brush is gentle against the skin, and the nylon bristles are very soft so most dogs don't seem to notice when they are being groomed with that side.