We’ve talked about the points to consider when choosing a shaving brush. Let’s now go into how to get the best life and use out of the brush once you’ve acquired it.

A new badger hair brush will sometimes smell a bit like, well, animal hair. Some people are more opposed to that than others. You might wrinkle your nose; an outdoorsy guy might inhale deeply: Ahhh! Nature!

Being hair, a good way to freshen up a new brush is to wash it with a gentle shampoo, baby shampoo would do fine. Rinse thoroughly and let dry.

“Let dry”. There’s another can of worms in the wet shaving community. No one will argue that a brush should be allowed to dry completely after use. The controversy comes in at: should the brush be stood on end, resting on its handle, or hung up with the bristles pointing down?

Extensive experimentation has been done (wet shavers are an analytical bunch when it comes to their grooming hobby). To date, no real difference has been noticed between standing the brush and hanging it. Yours truly hangs his brush facing downward; the thought being that moisture will travel away from the knot toward the bristle tips. Purely a personal preference; guys who have stood fine brushes on the handle for years report no ill effects.

What if a brush has been allowed to mildew, or soap and cream have collected on the bristles and they aren’t picking up water like they used to? Perhaps you’ve scored a vintage brush and want to clean it up before using it.

A shaving brush that has soap or cream residue can be cleaned with a solution of dish soap or baby shampoo. Using an old toothbrush to get at the base is a good idea. After rinsing, the bristles should be immersed in a vinegar and water solution for 30 seconds to a minute. Agitate during this time to get the bristles well soaked. A good rinse afterward and drying and the brush is good as new!

An alternative method that’s been around for a long time is to immerse the brush in a mild borax solution for a minute or so. Agitate as with the vinegar method. Rinse and allow to dry.

Either of these methods will break down the soap buildup and bring your brush back to its full water-retaining capability.

To disinfect an older or suspect brush, Barbicide is a good cleaner. A mild solution water and Barbicide will kill the baddies. It’s important to soak just the bristles and not let the knot in the handle get soaked; it might fall apart.

Barbicide is of course, that blue solution we’ve all seen in barbershops that combs are soaking in. You can pick this up at beauty supply stores (Sally’s has a store brand that’s a good price).

Cared for properly, a good badger brush can last long enough to be passed down to your son; whom of course you’ve instructed in the fine art of wet shaving.

Bay Lime Shaving Cream