Sheila Stotts Brush Care

When properly cared for, your Sheila Stotts hairbrush will provide years of enjoyable brushing. By following these simple guidelines, you will greatly extend the life of your brush.

With any use of product there is always some form of product build up. This happens on your hair as well as your styling tools. Depending on how often you use your brushes and how much product you use will determine how often you may need to clean them. 

Untangle

We use our brushes daily here in the salon and have some great tips! If the brush is used in the shower, shampoo bowl or on soaking wet hair the brush should be placed face down on a countertop after use so the moisture can drain from the drainage hole. Excess moisture inside the brush can lead to premature deterioration of the pad causing the rubber cushion to become less flexible and thus bristles are able to fall into the pad itself or completely fall out.

Or if the brush is being used with hair products such as mousses, gels, or hair sprays, which if allowed to accumulate may cause the rubber cushion to deteriorate prematurely. When finished using your brush with products, be sure to rinse the brush and shake it from side to side and squeeze pad to remove any excess water through the drainage hole and leave to dry on a hard, flat surface with the teeth facing downwards as to not let any residue “pool” on the rubber pad to prevent bleaching of the pad and keep bristles rust free. Be sure not to store the brush in a drawer where the bristles have pressure applied to them for an extended period of time.

Daily Cleaning

Using a long tooth comb, gently remove any hair that may have accumulated in the bristles by inserting the comb near the rubber cushion and drawing it toward the tips of the bristles. Work your way around the perimeter of the brush until the brush is clean. 

Deep Cleaning

As part of regular use, your hairbrush will accumulate dust, dirt, dander, oils, and chemicals from hair care products such as mousses, gels, and hair sprays. Frequent and thorough cleaning will keep your hairbrush in top condition for many years. A good rule of thumb is, deep clean the brush monthly if you use the brush daily. More frequently, if the brush is being used with hair products such as mousses, gels, or hair sprays, which if allowed to accumulate may cause the rubber cushion to deteriorate prematurely.  

Directions

1. The first thing that you want to do is remove any hair that is stuck in the bristles. Gently remove any hair that may have accumulated in the bristles by inserting the comb near the rubber cushion and drawing it toward the tips of the bristles. Work your way around the perimeter of the brush until the brush is clean. 

2. Once the extra, loose hair has been removed from the comb, fill a bowl with warm water, and squirt in a little bit of shampoo. Dip a toothbrush into the soapy water and clean the brush, making sure to get every bristle and thoroughly clean the pad. This will remove any oil or dirt that has built up over uses. 

Wooden Brushes

Make sure that this step is quick and only do as much as necessary. Do NOT immerse the brush in water. Immersing our solid maple wood brushes may cause the wood to absorb water and may cause damage to the finish or cause the body to swell and crack.

3. Rinse the toothbrush under water again, and go over your brush once more with plain, clean water.  

4. Shake it from side to side to remove any excess water and leave to dry on a hard, flat surface with the teeth facing downwards as to not let any residue “pool” on the rubber pad to prevent bleaching of the pad and keep bristles rust free. While you let the bristles air dry, dampen a cloth and clean the handle and back of the brush.

Sanitizing

Do NOT use strong cleaners or solvents such as, Quats (Barbacide), Brush Delight, ammonia, bleach, mineral spirits, benzene, nail polish remover, oils or waxes to clean the brush body or rubber cushion. Contact with these products may cause damage to the body of the brush and will cause the rubber cushion to crack and deteriorate prematurely.

- A fine mist of alcohol sprayed on the brush, and allowed to air dry will suffice to sanitize your brush. DO NOT SATURATE. A very light mist is all that is needed.

Do's & Don'ts:

Do... clean the brush after each use.

Don't... immerse the brush in water. Immersing our solid maple wood brushes may cause the wood to absorb water and may cause damage to the finish or cause the body to swell and crack.

Do... periodically deep clean the brush. A good rule of thumb is to deep clean the brush monthly if you use the brush daily. More frequently, if the brush is being used with hair products such as mousses, gels, or hair sprays.

Don't... use any of our solid maple wood handle brushes in the shower, bath, pool, or any other environment where the brush will get wet for prolonged periods. Please be aware that Natural Boar Bristle is a natural product, which like human hair, absorbs moisture. Prolonged contact with water may cause the bristles to twist or curl.  

Don't... allow the brush to be exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods. Ultra-violet light will cause the rubber cushion to dry out and deteriorate prematurely. Excessive heat from direct sunlight can distort plastic brushes and cause wooden brushes to dry out and crack.

Storage

To keep your brush in the best possible shape for longevity, store your brush with the bristles facing up and nothing on top putting pressure on the bristles and pad.  When traveling make sure to not pack them tightly with lots of items pushing or resting on the bristles and the same when carrying them in a purse, handbag, backpack, etc. While they are very sturdy and durable constant or heavy pressure on the bristles and pad will end up compromising the durability and longevity.