How to Clean Makeup Brushes

Learn how often to clean your brushes. Keeping your brushes clean saves time and effort when it comes to maintaining them. Brushes that come into contact with multiple makeup products, such as foundation and powder brushes, require more frequent cleaning compared to those used less often. Here’s a suggested cleaning frequency for different brush types:

• Foundation and powder brushes: once a week
• Eyeshadow and concealer brushes: every two weeks
• Other brushes: once a month

Place the brush head under warm running water. Position the brush downward under the faucet to prevent water from seeping into the metal ferrule and damaging the adhesive holding the bristles. Let the water flow through the bristles until most of the old makeup is washed away. Ensure the brush head remains tilted downward, as water entering the ferrule can ruin the brush.

• Avoid using hot water, as the heat can damage the bristles.
• Gently move and spread the bristles while rinsing to allow water to reach the center of the brush head.

Pour water into a small bowl or cup if you prefer dipping the brush. You’ll need about ¼ cup (60ml) of warm water. Avoid hot water to prevent damaging the bristles.

• Alternatively, you can apply soap directly to the brush. This method works exceptionally well for heavily soiled brushes.

Add a small amount of baby shampoo to the water if you choose to soak the brush. Mix in 1 teaspoon of baby shampoo into the cup of water and stir gently.

• If baby shampoo isn’t available, you can use Castile soap solution instead.

Dip the brush into the mixture and swirl it gently. Only swirl the lower half of the bristles to avoid water reaching the brush handle.

• If you’re not using a bowl, you can use your fingers to work the soap into the bristles.

Remove the brush from the mixture if you opted for soaking. Clean off makeup residue and dirt by gently running soapy water through the bristles with your fingers.

Rinse the brush head thoroughly with warm water. Continue running the bristles under the faucet until the water runs clear. Avoid wetting the brush handle.

• You may need to rinse the brush multiple times to ensure it’s clean. Keep rinsing if the water still appears cloudy.
• The brush isn’t fully clean until the water running through the bristles is completely clear.

Gently blot excess water from the brush head. Use a towel to softly absorb the moisture. Wrap the towel around the wet bristles and lightly squeeze with your fingers.

Reshape the brush head. If the bristles appear misshapen, use your fingers to straighten, fluff, and restore them to their original form.

Let the brush air dry. Avoid laying the brush flat on a towel, as this can lead to mildew. Instead, place it on a table with the bristles hanging over the edge.

Fluff the brush head. Once the brush is completely dry, gently fluff the bristles to restore their softness. Your brush is now ready for use.

Inspect the brush. If the brush has been used with oil-based makeup products, soap and water alone won’t suffice for cleaning. You’ll need a small amount of oil to effectively remove the makeup residue—especially if the brush has been in use for an extended period.

Apply a small amount of oil to a paper towel. Fold the paper towel and add a drop of oil, such as olive oil or diluted almond oil. Place the brush head on the oiled area and swirl gently. Avoid soaking the brush in oil. Move the brush back and forth on the paper towel to lift away the residue.

Rinse the brush head under warm running water. Hold the brush at a downward angle to prevent water from reaching the ferrule, which could cause rust or loosen the adhesive. Continue rinsing until all the old makeup is removed.

• Do not use hot water, as it can damage the bristles.

Place a small amount of baby shampoo in your palm. If baby shampoo isn’t available, you can use Castile soap solution instead.

• Keep the soap within reach, as you may need to repeat the process. In some cases, multiple washes are necessary.

Swirl the brush in the palm of your hand. Dip the brush head into the shampoo in your palm. Gently swirl the brush in a circular motion, ensuring the bristles continuously touch your skin. You’ll notice the shampoo in your palm becoming dirty as residue from the brush is lifted away.

Rinse the brush under warm running water. Use your fingers to gently stroke the bristles while rinsing out the shampoo. Again, avoid wetting the area where the bristles meet the handle. Continue rinsing until the water runs clear.

• If the brush is heavily soiled, you may need to repeat the process. If the water remains cloudy, apply soap again, rinse, and repeat until the water is clear.

Blot excess water from the brush and reshape if necessary. Once the water runs clear, remove the brush from the faucet and gently wrap a towel around the bristles. Squeeze out the water with your fingers. Reshape the brush head by pressing lightly to spread or gather the bristles, restoring it to its original form.

Lay the brush flat to air dry. Avoid placing the brush on a towel, as this can lead to mildew. Instead, rest the handle on a table with the bristles hanging over the edge.

Fluff the brush head. For round brushes, some bristles may stick together even after drying. In this case, pick up the brush and gently fluff the bristles to restore their softness.

Avoid standing brushes upright while drying. Water can seep into the handle, causing rust or decay, and may loosen the adhesive holding the bristles.

• You can stand brushes upright only after they are completely dry.

Do not use a hairdryer or iron to dry brushes. The heat from these devices can damage the bristles—even natural ones like sable or camel hair. Makeup brush bristles are often more delicate than human hair.

Dry brushes in a well-ventilated area. If you dry brushes in a closed space like a bathroom, the bristles may not dry properly, leading to mildew and unpleasant odors. Yuck!

Store brushes correctly. Once dry, stand brushes upright in a cup or lay them flat on a surface. Avoid storing them bristle-down, as this can cause the bristles to bend.

• If you need to carry brushes in a bag, use a dedicated brush case or pouch.

Disinfect your brushes. Before drying your brushes, or even between washes, you can disinfect them using a vinegar-water solution. Don’t worry—the vinegar smell will disappear once the brushes dry. Mix 2 parts water with 1 part vinegar in a small bowl or cup. Swirl the brush in the mixture, but avoid wetting the area where the bristles meet the handle. Finally, rinse the brush with water and let it air dry.

• Use damp paper towels to clean brushes and makeup containers.
• Makeup remover wipes are another excellent option.
• If possible, hang brushes to dry. You can use clothespins or clips to attach them to a hanger.
• Avoid using cleaning products with strong odors, harsh chemicals, or those that can damage brushes (e.g., laundry detergent, dish soap, almond oil, olive oil, vinegar solutions, or exfoliating scrubs).
• Consider investing in a brush cleaning machine for a quick and efficient cleaning solution. While pricey, it simplifies the cleaning process significantly.

• Ensure brushes are completely dry before use, especially with powder products. These can be ruined if applied with damp brushes.
• Never use heat to dry brushes. Let them dry naturally.
• Avoid soaking brushes in water, as this can damage the adhesive holding the bristles.

• Water
• Baby shampoo or Castile soap solution
• Diluted olive oil or almond oil (for heavily soiled brushes)
• Towel