Wooden combs are increasingly popular due to the benefits they bring to human’s hair and environment. They minimize hair drying and frizz and help spread the scalp oils across the entire hair shaft. Moreover, they are safe for the environment, being completely renewable. Like any other combs, wooden ones accumulate product build-up and germs. If you don’t clean your comb regularly, the dirt will transfer to your hair, weighing it down and irritating the scalp. Read on to learn how to clean wooden hair combs without damaging them and get some useful tips on how to maintain these style tools.
Wooden comb and water relationship
When it comes to cleaning wooden combs, it’s important to understand the relationship of wood with water – an indispensable product in cleaning almost everything. If exposed to water for more than 3 minutes, wood starts to swell. Swelling makes wooden teeth softer, hence the combing becomes less effective. You will have to keep this aspect in mind when cleaning your wooden comb. You will be best off avoiding submerging the comb in water for long.
How to clean wooden comb using oil?
Products needed:
- Piece of cloth
- Natural oil
- Toothbrush
- Towel
If you want to minimize the interaction of wooden comb with water, you can clean it with oil. Soak up a piece of cloth in natural oil and gently wipe the comb. If possible, fit the cloth in spaces between the teeth and rub the stuck debris off. In case the cloth is too thick, ShopAnegra advises to use a toothbrush or a dental floss to reach out to the hardly accessible build-up. Apply some oil on the toothbrush to make cleaning easier and more efficient. Finally, wrap the comb in the oily cloth and let it sit for 5 hours to absorb the oil.
How to clean wooden hair combs using a water-based homemade solution?
Products needed:
- Piece of cloth
- Mild soap
- Warm water
- Toothbrush with soft bristles
- Dental floss
- Natural oil
Start off by making a homemade cleaner consisting of warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Mix well to create foam. Dip a piece of cloth in the solution and wipe the comb with it. Do it repeatedly to remove all dirt and grease. If you notice product build-up left in-between comb tins, use a toothbrush to force it out. Make sure you don’t use a toothbrush with harsh bristles, as it may leave scratches on the wood. In case the brush proves unable to remove the last bits of stubborn grease, go for a dental floss.
Once all dirt is removed, use a clean cloth to suck up all moisture from the comb. Remember, the longer you allow the water sit on the comb, the more of it will absorb into the wood. So act promptly to prevent swelling and comb’s premature wear and tear. PureGloNaturals suggests to apply a tiny amount of oil on both sides of the comb after finishing cleaning. This will protect the wood from moisture and other elements.
How often to clean wooden comb?
When it comes to wooden comb cleaning frequency, it depends on how often you use the comb. Daily use leads to a faster accumulation of grease and debris, hence you want clean the hair care tool at shorter intervals. If your comb requires frequent cleaning, try to alternate water method with oil method. You don’t want to expose your comb to moisture daily.
Tips for prolonging the lifespan of your wooden comb
1. Avoid storing it in the bathroom
Bathroom is the place where you comb your hair most often. After making your hair smooth and flat, you will most probably store the comb in the bathroom cabinet or leave it on the shelf next to the mirror. Storing your comb in the bathroom isn’t bad, as long as it is made of plastic or metal. However, if the comb is wooden, the bathroom’s high humidity can damage it over time. According to ChurlieCurls, your best bet is to store the comb in a dry place, preferably inside your bag or a dry drawer to prevent dust from landing on it.
2. Stay away from aggressive rubbing
Tough dirt requires tough cleaning. This may count for a metal comb, but this is not a good approach for a wooden comb. Intense rubbing can bend the wooden teeth and tear them. That’s why, always scrub gently and repeatedly until the stubborn build-up gets loose.
3. Apply oil for protection
Oil acts as a protective film that prevents humidity from absorbing into the wood. Also, oil protects the health of the wood and makes it smoother, which makes combing more pleasant. With that in mind, make a point of applying a thin coating of natural oil on the comb after finishing cleaning the style tool.
How can wooden comb benefit you?
Wooden comb has a number of advantages over plastic and metal combs. First of all, it has a negative electrical charge just as your hair does, which means wooden comb doesn’t attract the hair fibers, causing static and frizz. Also, wooden comb proves better at distributing the natural oils deriving from the scalp throughout the whole hair shaft, because the oil doesn’t stick to the wood.
Furthermore, wooden combs glide extremely smoothly through your hair. It makes combing more comfortable for you and minimizes tangles and breakage. The smooth and slippery teeth provide less friction, which makes detangling easier and prevents breakage. It would also be fair to mention that wooden combs are less likely than plastic counterparts to cause scalp irritation and allergies, because they contain no harsh chemicals.
Conclusion
Caring for a wooden comb is a quiet tricky task, given the wood’s intolerance to water that makes you clean the comb with much caution. If you are not sure of how to clean wooden hair combs properly, check out the guidelines above to guarantee you don’t make any mistake that can affect the health of the wood. Don’t forget to apply oil on the comb after cleaning to keep it less vuberable to moisture and swelling.
