I detangle before I wash and DC.
1. Use water with spray bottle and if really bad use a cheap conditioner or when I do a pre-poo with oils. I hate using expensive products just to detangle and wash out.
2. Wash in twists, usually 6-10
3. Apply DC and sit under steamer or hair dryer
4. Rinse thoroughly
5. Finger detangle and apply leave-ins. Some rate times I might use the comb again.
When I follow this process, my hair washing is DC is much pleasant. The worse part is the detangling process. I don't understand finger detangling because my tangles are SERIOUS. Plus I don't wash and DC as I should so I go weeks with a twist out leaning into natty dreads.
I don't use my Denman Brush as much any more and I try to minimize the amount of time I use combs.