Thread: Mildew smell in brushes

So here's the story. I bought a new badger brush, used it twice, and now it smells of mildew when I use it. I rinse it out well after I use it, squeeze the water out, and then whip it for at least a minute to get the rest out. I then hang it to dry, in the open, in my bed room. I'm thinking that there just isn't any airflow or not enough since I leave my ceiling fan running at night (I shave before bed).

Is there a way to get rid of the mildew before it becomes a real problem?

I bought a little fan today to blow directly on the brush to help dry it. I just need to get rid of the mildew that's there.

You can soak it I a little bit of aftershave mixed with water. Dont think its mildew those lil badgers stink. I heard oxyclean works great too.

I haven't had that happen, and I don't wash my brushes, but I have seen tutorials that suggest Dawn dish soap or borax IIRC. I would wash it out, shake it out, air dry as you've been doing. I've only heard of that sort of thing if it is put away wet in a cabinet or something like that. I don't understand how it could happen in an open air environment.

U can soak the brush in warm water and borax solution . Swirl the brush around every 10 mins or so so the solution gets into the core of the knot. I use vitalis on my brushes after I dry them. Works great gotta be the v7.

Originally Posted by HardCase

U can soak the brush in warm water and borax solution . Swirl the brush around every 10 mins or so so the solution gets into the core of the knot. I use vitalis on my brushes after I dry them. Works great gotta be the v7.

None of that greasy kid stuff !

I tried Brylcreem once, but the brush didn't work so well after that

Borax is an antifungal/antibacterial. Might be best. probably a douse in 70% isopropyl would get the job done too.

Have you been using it a while? My new brush was a little smelly about the first 5 uses, but after the hot water and shave soap 5x, it basically has no detectable smell now.

Some badger brushes smell until all the "badger scent" is washed out of them. I have a new one that doesn't smell and I have one from a drugstore (cheap) that I can't use (after at least 20 tries) because it still stinks. I guess it depends how neat the badger was before sacrificing himself. Try what others have suggested.

I use baby shampoo to clean my brushes. Works like a charm. helps a lot with the badger smell and keeps them soft.

New natural brushes can be ripe for a while; lather on.

After two uses it couldn't develop mildew that fast unless you live in the tropics during rainy season.

it's probably just the badger smell. it will eventually come out. I've found the borax treatment works really good.