should I clean my new brush before using?

[clnlstyles]

Hi all. Newbie here. I recently picked up my first wetshaving supplies and I went with the Vulfix 403 Best Badger brush. I was wondering what, if anything, I should do to clean this brush before I use it for the first time.

Although, to be honest, I already used it once. After the shave I watched mantic's videos and saw him mention that they should be cleaned before the first use. Still, if a new brush should be cleaned I'd still like to clean mine.

Thanks for your help!

[SilverKarn]

Lather up some shampoo and water with your brush while your in the shower, then rinse off the shampoo and use some conditoner on the brush, rinse off at the end of the shower, and you should be ready to go.

Borax is used more for when you've had the brush a while, and you want to make sure no mold/fungus grows on it.

After use you might notice that the brush starts holding less water, that would be soap scum, if its soap scum, Dawn dish soap works good for breaking scum up.

[SharpClaw]

Use shampoo and glycine.

Sometimes the bristles might be oily or a bit dirty
and when they are oily they don't hold as much water
as they do when they are clean. Once you clean your brush
it will hold more water, and preform like a champ from the start.

Sol

[clnlstyles]

great stuff, thanks guys!

[Leisureguy]

I've never cleaned a new brush before using it. I just lather up and start to work. Sometimes a brush seems slightly waterproof at first (my Vulfix had that), but it quickly wears off.

[rahul325]

Sometimes a brush seems slightly waterproof at first (my Vulfix had that), but it quickly wears off.

this might be coz of the oil in the bristles as Sol mentioned above.

[notthesharpest]

All of my new brushes have smelled bad, and my (brand-new at the time) Vulfix turned the water brown during the first three uses or so. Washing is not such a bad idea.