Thread: Initial cleaning of a boar brush?

After reading some related posts both here and on B&B, I just ordered an inexpensive Omega boar brush, Omega #10018 - Available in FOUR Colors. What initial cleaning techniques do you folks recommend? My current and only brush is the C&E best badger travel brush, and if memory serves me correctly, I believe repeated shampooing was all that was necessary.

i use shampoo and conditioner since it is hair right. so you use the best stuff you would put in your own hair. (no gels or moose)

You don't HAVE to clean it. You can lather up a couple of times, but otherwise just use it.

I've read how they use conditioners and shampoo. I never used them though. However, i forget if it destroys the funny boar scent.

In my experience, it would take about 4 uses to get the boar scent out ( omega 21047 ).

My super badger brush didn't have any funky smell. As for the Pure i don't quite recall.

Thanks for your suggestions. Looks like it should not be much of a problem despite the rumors about the pig smells.

Some actually find the smells attractive. Dont forget the hair is sterilized so whatever lingers is pretty innocent.

shampoo works well. it seems to help break in the bristles.

I saw a video on the net, might have been a link from B and B. Some Female vendor used Borax to clean the boar's bristle brushes. I have some Borax with Lanolin. I use it once in a while. It does a great job. You mix up a teaspoon or so in enough water to cover your bristles, swirl it around for a few minutes, then rinse....You might google it and find it. Other than that, once a week, usually on Sunday, I condition my brush. What's great is, I run out of shampoo first, so all the extra conditioner gets saved for my brush, and every once in a while, I'll bring the brush in the shower, and give it a shampoo and good conditioning..
Conditioning is the most important part, it will make your brush last a lifetime...

You should be able to find Borax at your local supermarket in the laundry aisle....

Rich

"Conditioning is the most important part, it will make your brush last a lifetime..."

Interesting. I have never heard of this before or seen where any brush manufacturer recommends it.

I think a quick rinse of the top of the brush in warm water is enough - once you start applying shaving cream or soap the brush will break itself in naturally and clean itself.