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Household Brushes & Brooms

Household Brushes & Brooms
Use & Maintenance
All of the brushes we sell are made from natural materials, ranging from tampico fibre to horsehair and goat hair. The bristles of each brush are individual to their usage, goat hair being the softest and used for dusting, and arenga fibre being the most stiff, ideal for scrubbing stubborn dirt from hard surfaces. The bristles on the brush are separated into ‘stockings’, or an individual group of fibres or hairs that make up a brush. Depending on the make of the brush, these are often secured in place with a thin metal wire or glue.
To care for wooden handles or bases of brushes, it is best to keep them dry as possible, but not too dry as this can cause the wood to crack. If the wood of the handles begins to look a bit thirsty, we recommend using a food grade, neutral oil to condition the wood. Oil is also good for water repellency.
Any brushes used in a damp environment, for instance nail brushes, sauna brushes, dish brushes, or laundry scrubbers, should always be rinsed from any cleaning agents or residue, patted dry, and stored bristle side down, allowing remaining moisture to drain from the brush prevents the wood from swelling, splitting or moulding. Brushes made from natural fibres should never be put through a dish washer or washing machine. To clean, we recommend using Marius Fabre’s white soap. Wet the bristles and gently scrub in circular motions to remove any residue. Vinegar may also be used to freshen up brushes. Make sure to rinse thoroughly after cleansing, and dry accordingly to the prior steps.
Brushes made with the hair of goats and/or horses should be cared for the same as your own hair. To cleanse, simply use lukewarm water and a mild shampoo or the Marius Fabre white soap. Once clean, wrap into a towel and press as much water out as possible, do not rub, as this can cause damage to the hairs. Afterwards, hang in a dry, well ventilated area. Do not lay brushes on a heater to dry as this may damage the hair, much like using a hot iron on yours can cause damage. If any tangles are present after drying, delicately comb through from the ends to the base, making sure not to tug or pull too hard.

Further Information

Bent Bristles

If a brush has been improperly stored, you may notice bristles have become bent or kinked. In most cases, this can be fixed by moistening the bristles with plenty of water, and straightening them into the desired position, and then leaving the brush to dry completely before use or storage.
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