How do I steralize a used brush?

**Joed** · 01-02-2009, 03:34 PM

I picked up a badger hair brush at a local antique shop a while ago. It looks like one of the Shavemac Vintage brushes but I am hesitant to use it not knowing what might e growing in it. It looks clean, no mold or fungus growing on it and I did whip up a lather using dish washing soap with anti bacteria formula. I do have Barbercide on hand but I am afraid it might dissolve the glue holding the brush to the handle or remove the ink in the embossed lettering. Boiling probably will dissolve the glue and microwaving may explode the handle. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

**nun2sharp** · 01-02-2009, 03:42 PM

What about peroxide or alcohol?

**RayG** · 01-02-2009, 03:56 PM

I doubt you can sterilize it safely, but disinfecting it with something like borax should be sufficient.

How to Clean a Shaving Brush using Vinegar and Borax, Bristle Cleaning

**JimmyHAD** · 01-02-2009, 03:59 PM

At the suggestion of posters on another shaving forum I washed my vintage find with borax. There is also a video on cleaning a brush here at Em's Place.

**Kees** · 01-02-2009, 04:04 PM

Why would yu want to sterilize it? Real nasty bugs do not survive for more than a couple of hours outside of the human body.

**Joed** · 01-02-2009, 05:03 PM

Thanks to all! Tonight I will select the process to use and give the brush a bath. Now I remember the few hours to two weeks and all bugs die away from the human body. I was mostly concerned with molds and mildews. The brush doesn't look like anything is growing on it. Sometimes I'm just anal about clean.

**JimmyHAD** · 01-02-2009, 05:17 PM

Yeah, it's funny but I don't think twice about using an old razor on my face but a vintage brush is another story. I wouldn't use it until I washed it out unless I knew the person I got it from and maybe even then. If it had mold or mildew you would probably smell it as soon as it got wet. Like you I would wash it out one way or the other.

**gssixgun** · 01-03-2009, 12:52 AM

Big +1 on the 20 Mule Team Borax, I even use it on barnd new brushes.....

**zib** · 01-03-2009, 12:58 AM

I wonder if it could be microwaved for like 30 seconds or something, enough to kill bugs and stuff, but not enough to cook it.

**cassady** · 01-03-2009, 01:10 AM

Joe -- I have some Barbacide that might work. I could bring it tomorrow -- but will it stain the bristles blue, I wonder?

cass

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