Before I get into the proper cleaning of a comb, I thought I would share with you a little history about a product called Barbicide. It's this product that barber shops and beauty shops use to clean their combs after use. As a young lad I would go to the barber shop and see a large jar filled with a blue fluid standing tall next to the mirror. The barber would reach into the jar, get a comb, rinse it thoroughly with water, and proceed to cut my hair.

Barbicide was invented more than 50 years ago by Maurice King, a chemical engineer from New York. During his investigation of the cleaning practices of local barbers. King was horrified to find out that they only rinsed their combs in cold running water. He created this germ-busting disinfectant, an ammonia compound, because as a young man he always contracted scalp sores and lice from the local barber shops. King decided to dye his solution blue because the color looked fresh. He used the tall glass soda fountain straw holder to hold the liquid because it was the only thing that was tall enough to hold his combs.

Today most combs are made of nylon or plastic and stand up well to good cleaning. To make your own Barbicide, mix 2 ounces of ammonia, one tablespoon of shampoo with 1/2 gallon of hot water. Let the comb soak in this solution for 10 to 15 minutes then use an old tooth brush to scrub clean the teeth of the comb. After the combs are clean, rinse then thoroughly in clean water, then lay then on a clean towel to dry. I personally prefer using a general purpose ammonia cleaner like "Parsons" ammonia with lemon scent and I use "White Rain" shampoo. Both of these products are cheap, however, they do a great job.

If you are allergic to any of the above products, please don't use them. Always test fabric and paints before using any chemical compounds. Please remember to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and eye protection for your eyes. If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience call Ed at 255-2266 or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed Do?

Copy written by Ed Madan, certified executive housekeeper, Northwest Environmental Services