Finding out your child has head lice can be stressful, and one of the first questions many parents ask is: Do I need to throw away their hair brush? The good news is—no, you don’t have to toss it! There are effective ways to clean and disinfect hair brushes to remove lice and prevent reinfestation.

Can Lice Survive on a Hair Brush?

Head lice do not live long away from the scalp. They need human blood to survive and lice will die within 24-48 hours if they don’t find a host. However, nits (lice eggs) do not hatch off the scalp because they require the warmth of the human head.

While lice can temporarily cling to a hair brush, they cannot survive for long. This means that proper cleaning is enough to remove any lice or eggs, so throwing away the brush is unnecessary.

How to Clean a Hair Brush After Head Lice

Instead of discarding your child’s brush, follow these simple steps to disinfect it:

• Remove Hair from the Brush. Use a comb or your fingers to pull out any trapped hair. Dispose of the hair in a sealed plastic bag and throw it away.
• Soak the Brush in Hot Water. Fill a bowl with hot water (at least 130°F or 55°C). Soak the brush for 10-15 minutes to kill any lice or nits. You can add a bit of shampoo or dish soap for extra cleaning power.
• Use a Disinfectant (Optional). For extra protection, soak the brush in a disinfecting solution, such as rubbing alcohol (soak for 10 minutes), white vinegar (soak for 30 minutes), or anti-lice shampoo such as My Hair Helpers Mint Shampoo.
• Scrub and Rinse. Use an old toothbrush or a small scrub brush to clean between the bristles. Rinse the brush thoroughly under warm running water.
• Let It Dry Completely. Allow the brush to air-dry completely before using it again.
• Alternative Cleaning Methods. If you’re worried about heat-resistant lice, consider alternative methods. If the brush is plastic and heat-resistant, you can boil it for 5 minutes. Or, you can place the brush in a sealed bag in the freezer for 24-48 hours—lice cannot survive freezing temperatures.

What About Other Hair Accessories?

In addition to hair brushes, don’t forget to clean other hair tools your child has used. Combs can follow the same soaking method, while hair ties and headbands can be washed in hot, soapy water or run through a hot dryer cycle. Accessories like hats and scarves can also benefit from a wash cycle in hot water.

While it might not seem like a big deal to toss a hair brush after a bout of head lice, some families find themselves with frequent infestations or a household with several infected people at once. Having to throw away combs, hair brushes, and other accessories every time can be costly and impractical. Knowing how to effectively clean these items is invaluable. 

Final Verdict: Don’t Throw Away the Hair Brush! 

You don’t need to throw away your child’s hair brush after a lice infestation—just clean it properly! By following these easy cleaning methods, you can safely disinfect the brush and prevent lice from spreading. Visit My Hair Helpers to explore the various products we have to not just manage head lice infestations but keep them from coming back!