If wet shaving is your routine, then a good shaving brush is indispensable. With an artisanal shaving soap and a quality safety razor, you are at your best in the bathroom
However, good material also needs to be excellently maintained to benefit from it as long as possible. This certainly applies to your shaving brush. This sensitive instrument also needs TLC to remain fresh and effective.
Why is maintenance necessary?
If you do not give an artisanally produced shaving brush the necessary maintenance, you will eventually notice it. The hairs of a shaving brush absorb soap and oils down to the root. But also minerals and lime from tap water. Over time, this accumulates and grips the hairs and the base of the brush.
Due to the substances present and any molds, the hairs break easily. The glue layer where the brush hairs are mounted can also become weak and lose its function.
Note: A shaving brush with synthetic hairs is slightly less sensitive to the negative effects of all residues compared to shaving brushes equipped with animal hairs.
When is maintenance necessary?
To begin with, make sure you rinse the shaving brush well after each shave and hang it upside down in a shaving brush holder. If you shaving every day, we recommend cleaning your shaving brush thoroughly every 2 weeks.
Daily cleaning after the shaving
If you use your shaving brush 3 times a week, you don't need to clean it every day. However, make sure that after using the shaving brush, you rinse it well with lukewarm water. Carefully under a running tap so that the soap residues leave the hairs.
Let the brush hairs dry downwards in a brush holder. Preferably outside the bathroom. Do not dry with a hard towel. Shake the brush out a bit before hanging it in the holder.
Periodic cleaning
Just like your safety razor, it is also wise to give your shaving brush more attention now and then by planning this periodically. Like a climate system where filters are also periodically cleaned or replaced.
Cleaning after the shaving
Exactly as we indicate above, it is important to rinse the shaving brush well with lukewarm/warm water from the tap after the shaving. If you leave the soap residues in, the brush will mold sooner and deteriorate in quality faster. And: you have much more work if you perform major maintenance.
Rinsing after use
Suppose you don't have time (or take it) when you have to rush out the door. At least rinse your brush under the tap. Then you have at least rinsed most of the soap residues from the hairs.
Drying after use
An artisanal shaving brush is best dried by shaking it out and then letting it air dry. Rubbing with a (rough) towel can damage the hairs of the brush.
Periodic maintenance
A shaving brush also requires periodic maintenance. Take some time for that as well. With proper maintenance, your brush can last 10 to 15 years. Sometimes even longer.
What do you need?
Just a few items
- Large cup
- Dish soap or shampoo
- Warm water (not hot!)
- Vinegar (for thorough maintenance)
How does it work?
Make sure to fill a cup/mug with warm tap water. Add a few drops of Dreft (or another soap) to the water.
Place the shaving brush in the cup with a swirling motion and gently press the brush hairs against the wall and bottom of the cup. Then let the brush rest in the soapy water for about 2/3 minutes. Remove the shaving brush from the water and rinse all the soap out of the hairs.
Now repeat the above process but with a few drops of natural vinegar. Fill the mug halfway with warm water. About 30 degrees is more than enough. Stir the brush in the cup so that the water and vinegar soak into the hairs.
Then let the shaving brush stand in the water for 15 to 20 minutes. After that time, take the brush out and rinse it thoroughly under the tap to remove all the vinegar.
Tip: some top layers of a shaving brush are made of satin. This layer can be sensitive to the effects of vinegar. So make sure to keep the water to vinegar ratio at 90% to 10%. Do not soak the shaving brush in the bowl or cup for more than 10 minutes (!) – It's a shame if the exterior starts to peel off.
Maintenance tips
Let your shaving brush dry naturally
For the longevity of your shaving brush, it's important to hang it in the holder with the brush hairs facing down. You can shake out the shaving brush after rinsing. But leave it at that.
Avoid hot water
Hot water is detrimental to both the hairs of the brush and the holder. Especially the glue joints can become weak from the heat, causing your shaving brush to suffer from hair loss. The plastic holder can also crack from the heat.
Do not wring or twist the brush hairs by hand
Wringing or twisting the brush hairs is a no-go. This deforms the hairs and can easily break them.
Store your shaving brush in a shaving brush holder
The best way to keep your shaving brush in optimal condition is with a shaving brush holder. Never place it upright with the hairs facing up. This way, all the shaving soap and oils drip unnoticed to the base where the hairs are glued.
Additionally, it also becomes a breeding ground for mold. Letting the shaving brush float upside down is the solution and the way to ensure your shaving brush has a long and fresh life.
Note: do not throw your shaving brush wet into a toiletry bag. At least if you don't want mold!
Final tips
As you may know, the shaving brushes come in a number of variants. Not only in terms of holder but also in terms of bristles. For example, there are shaving brushes made of badger hair, horsehair, boar hair, and synthetic hair. Fortunately, the latter is becoming increasingly popular and is not inferior to the relatively expensive badger hair version.
Also, the shaving brush with synthetic bristles is easier to keep clean and, unlike the animal variants, absorbs dirt less quickly. And if you are an animal lover, the choice is not difficult at all.
Preferably use artisanal shaving soaps, gel or cream. The ingredients in these are the most friendly for your shaving brush.
Now you know exactly how to handle your shaving brush. You will enjoy it the longest. If you still have questions, feel free to ask them!
Good luck!
Your friends, The Alpha Men.