Thread: How long does a brush last?

The vinegar rinse is especially important if you live with hard water.

Originally Posted by roughkype

The vinegar rinse is especially important if you live with hard water.

That's true as it cleans build up calcium deposits but it also cleans built up soap scum, greasy stuff, kills mold and softens the hairs.

I have had a Simpson for over 20 years, shampooed a couple times a year. I do rinse thoroughly after shaving, by tapping onto my open palm under running water,then gently squeezing the water out, tap the brush on to my palm into a folded Micro Fiber towel, to get most of the water out. Fan the bristles by flogging over the open palm vertical to the brush striking my index finger until dry. This fluffs out the brush. Re-Shape the brush and hang in a brush stand to dry thoroughly.

I also do not let the loaded brush rest in the bowl, but hang in the stand while shaving.

Pretty much, this is how I was taught to clean a paint brush in the summer of 1970 when I worked for a painter, painting houses. I still have those Purdy china bristle brushes, they lay down a fine finish after all these years. They are stored in a hand folded paper bag cover tied with a string.

i have my great grandfathers brush thats at least 45-55 yrs old and with the ocassional cleaning with shampoo it works great still,in fact its my only brush

Thanks everyone.

The vinegar soak and shampoo worked a treat, I was drowinging in lather for my last shave.

I have an Omega 47 brush which was used by my father and it is still perfectly working. I cannot tell for sure, but it should be around 40 years old.
I just rinse it with plain water, nothing else so far.