In general you want to avoid cleaning your brushes too often. Depending on the method used the bristle wear may be accelerated or the bristles can be damaged. Some methods are gentle enough that this is less likely to happen. For cleaning roto brushes please refer to the roto brush page (listed above).
It is better that you have a few brushes dedicated to certain types of wax. For example, you should have a nylon brush for cold waxes and another nylon brush for warm waxes; a horsehair brush dedicated for higher fluorocarbon waxes; etc. It is worth noting that you may want to not wash certain brushes. A brush that is dedicated to fluorocarbon use will have a lot of fluorocarbon powder on the bristles. Brushing with these brushes can add back to the wax on the base, not just remove it.
Even with dedicated brushes some people do want to remove the wax particles that accumulate from brushing. We recommend that you avoid using wax remover or chemical solvents such as paint thinner, etc. These harsh chemicals can cause some pitting in the bristles.
This method works well with brushes that have been used with harder (colder) waxes. This method can be used in conjunction with the hot water method.
Freeze the brush outside or in a freezer. Once the brush is as cold as it is going to get (15 to 20 minutes is a reasonable time) take the brush outside with a plastic scraper. If you have a respirator wearing it is a good idea. Now scrape the bristles with the scraper swiftly. Watch you do not scrap your fingers. Just as on a ski base apply even pressure across all the bristles. Try scraping the brush from different angles.
There are two ways to do the hot water method: one way is to use a sink filled about 4cm deep with very hot water and the other is to use a automatic dishwasher.
Boil water in a kettle or pot until it comes to a rolling boil. Then pour the very hot water into a small sink. A bathroom sink is usually good. Adding a dash of dishsoap can help with removing dirt stuck in the bristles. Now add your brush(es) to the water bristle side down. Most brushes have wood handles and will float. Swish the brushes a bit. Let the brush(es) soak for 5 minutes and then swish them around again. The heat of the very hot water will melt or soften the wax so it does not stick to the bristles as easily. Thoroughly rinse the brushes after and let them dry.
Don't put your brushes in a pot of boiling water. Pots are for cooking food in and material being cleaned off of the brushes is not designed as edible.
Depending on your household you may wish do do this when a certain someone else in your household is not at home. That said person may not be too keen on your doing this with the automatic dishwasher. This does not harm the dishwasher.
Place the brushes bristle side down in the top rack of the dishwasher where the rack's holes are smaller, or in the utensil bin. If you add any soap then use only a small amount and ensure that it is soap without any additives such as chlorine or bleach. Run the dishwasher as a light load. Remove at the end of the cycle before the dryer starts. Let the brush cool and dry before using.
If you have any questions about this web site or it's content please contact
with e-mail to "Askus at SkiWax.ca" (replace 'at' with '@') or
telephone (519) 747-8032.
SkiWax.ca, 535 Blue Beech Blvd., Waterloo, ON, N2V 2T4.