To clean Basting and Pastry Brushes, use hot water and cleaning detergent, washing and rinsing thoroughly when cleaning.
Some brushes will have openings where bristles connect to the handle or in areas around the brush and bristle connection where bacteria can begin to grow.
In an effort to remove these open areas around the bristles, some brushes have bristles sealed with epoxy where the bristles are adjoined to the handle.
To assist with keeping bacteria from developing in crevices and open areas where food can become trapped, soak and clean the brush in a water and bleach solution, using a pint of water with a half of cap full of bleach.