Bamboo hair brushes: bristles, handles and what the eco label means

The parts of a brush

• Handle: bamboo is a fast growing grass. Check whether it is varnished or oiled, and what the maker names.
• Cushion: often rubber or natural rubber. If you have a latex allergy, ask a doctor and read the listing.
• Bristles: nylon, boar or bamboo pins. Each feels different, and boar bristles are an animal product.
• Shape: paddle, round, detangler or comb.

Eco wording

Words like sustainable bamboo or plastic-free are claims from the seller. Under the FTC Green Guides, they should be specific. A bamboo handle with nylon bristles is not plastic-free, so read the parts list. If a forest certifier is named, check the certifier's own site.

Care

If you have scalp or hair concerns, ask a dermatologist or doctor instead of relying on a brush listing.

1. Remove hair from the bristles regularly.
2. Wipe, do not soak, since bamboo can crack when wet for long.
3. Dry the brush with bristles down or on its side.
4. Retire a brush with loose pins or splinters.

Our angle: cost per year

A brush used daily for several years is cheap per use even if the handle costs more. Divide the price by the years you expect to use it. Multipacks of two or three brushes can lower the unit price, but only help if you need more than one. We do not state how long any brush lasts, so use the return policy and the maker's care sheet.

• Compare unit price in multipacks.
• A small travel brush costs less, but costs more per square inch.
• Check size against your hair length.

Gift angle

A brush paired with a shampoo bar is a simple gift. See Christmas gift ideas by budget, and our guides to eco-friendly toothbrushes and bamboo cotton swabs.