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Image: Sarah CrowleyLet's be honest: When was the last time you gave your Beauty Blender a good cleaning? If you're like most people, it’s probably been so long you can’t even remember—or maybe you’ve never done it at all. We understand! Despite your best efforts, washing makeup brushes and sponges often gets pushed to the back burner. But trust us, it's an essential task that should not be neglected.
The great news? Restoring your makeup sponge to its original freshness doesn’t have to be a hassle or take up too much time. In this guide, we’ll walk you through simple and fast ways to clean your Beauty Blender, featuring four easy yet highly effective methods. Pick the one that best suits your routine and make it part of your regular skincare regimen.
How Often Should You Clean Your Beauty Blender?
It's recommended to clean your Beauty Blender after every use, and there are two important reasons for this. First, there's the issue of hygiene. A dirty Beauty Blender or makeup sponge can become a breeding ground for bacteria and germs, which then transfer to your skin each time you use it. Second, a sponge that's clogged with old makeup won’t perform as effectively; when it’s coated in layers of foundation, the colors of the products you apply will be impacted.
Things to Keep in Mind Before You Begin
Start by ensuring that you know how to clean the sponge without damaging it. The trick is to avoid harsh cleansers and treat your Beauty Blender with gentle care. A solid choice is to use a makeup brush cleaner like MAC Cosmetic Brush Cleanser, which also works well on sponges and blenders. Be sure not to rub or scrub too aggressively, and squeeze it carefully when wringing it out.
What You'll Need:
Surface Cleaning Method
- Textured surface (such as a cleaning mat)
Soap Cleaning Method (choose one of the following options)
- The Blendercleanser Solid
- Liquid Blendercleanser
- Johnson's Baby Shampoo
- Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap
Microwave Cleaning Method
- Microwave
- Liquid soap
Oil Cleaning Method
- Cleansing oil (such as coconut oil)
- Liquid soap
How to Clean Your Beauty Blender Using the Surface Method
When you're in a rush (and who isn't, right?), the quickest way to clean your Beauty Blender is by rubbing it against a textured surface. This technique is recommended by New York City makeup artist and beauty expert Neil Scibelli, who prefers using the Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Mat for this task.
Another option is the handy Beautyblender Keep it Clean kit, which comes with a similarly textured pad that fits over the palm of your hand, as well as the brand's liquid and solid cleansers.
How to Clean Your Beauty Blender Using Soap
Water alone won’t be enough to get your makeup sponge truly clean. In other words, you’ll need soap. Scibelli suggests using the brand’s dedicated makeup sponge cleansers, The Blendercleanser Solid and Liquid Blendercleanser.
"They work like magic and get rid of every trace of makeup on the Beauty Blender," he explains. If you’re not opting for the brand's cleansers, Scibelli recommends a gentle shampoo or a versatile liquid cleanser like Johnson's Baby Shampoo or Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap.
Step 1: Lather the Beauty Blender With Soap
To use the solid soap, start by thoroughly wetting your makeup sponge, then rub The Blendercleanser Solid directly onto the sponge, lathering it up. Alternatively, if you prefer liquid soap, wet the sponge and squirt some Liquid Blendercleanser directly onto it, then work it into a lather.
Step 2: Rinse
Once you see the lather start to change color (the makeup coming off the sponge), rinse it thoroughly. Check your Beauty Blender—if there’s still a slight stain, repeat the process. The formula is gentle enough to use daily without causing any harm to your sponge.
Step 3: Let It Soak in Soapy Water (Optional)
If your sponge is especially dirty, give it a little bubble bath. Fill a cup with water and add a few drops of liquid soap, then let the sponge soak for a minute or two. Afterward, gently massage some more cleanser into the sponge with your hand.
Step 4: Rinse Once More and Dry
Give it a thorough rinse. When it’s time to dry, make sure you let it dry in a well-ventilated area. Ideally, prop it up so that air can circulate freely around it, ensuring there are no damp spots left behind.
How to Clean Your Beauty Blender Using a Microwave
Much like running your dishes through the dishwasher or tossing your clothes in the washing machine, cleaning a makeup sponge in the microwave is a quick and easy method that requires minimal effort. Plus, the microwave’s heat is excellent for sanitizing and killing any germs or bacteria. Just make sure to follow these steps to avoid accidentally melting your precious Beauty Blender.
Step 1: Combine Soap and Water in a Cup
Add a few drops of liquid soap (the gentle options mentioned earlier are great for this) into a microwave-safe cup of water. Ensure there’s enough of the mixture to fully submerge the sponge.
Step 2: Wet the Sponge, Place it in the Cup, and Microwave
Wet the sponge under running water, then place it into the cup. Microwave for 60 seconds, and allow it to cool before removing. The soapy water will change color, and your Beauty Blender should look like new.
Step 3: Remove, Rinse, and Dry
After the soapy water cools down, take out the sponge, rinse it again under running water, and let it dry completely in a well-ventilated area.
How to Clean Your Beauty Blender Using Oil
The idea of double cleansing is widely embraced in skincare, and the same principles can be applied when cleaning your Beauty Blender. The concept is simple: Oil breaks down oil. So, when you're wearing a full face of makeup, using a cleansing oil first helps to dissolve the oils in your makeup more effectively. This method is equally beneficial for cleaning makeup sponges, making it an excellent choice for sponges heavily loaded with makeup.
Step 1: Massage Oil Into the Sponge
Begin with a dry sponge and gently massage a few drops of oil (coconut oil is a great option) into the sponge until you see the makeup start to lift off.
Step 2: Let It Soak in Soapy Water
Soak your sponge in a cup of soapy water as mentioned earlier—this is the second step of the double cleanse, which will not only eliminate any leftover makeup but also help wash away any oily residue.
Step 3: Remove, Rinse, and Dry
Ensure the sponge is fully dry in a well-ventilated space, propping it up so that air can circulate around it to speed up the drying process.
When to Replace Your Beauty Blender
While cleaning your sponge regularly will help it last longer, keep in mind that these sponges have a lifespan. The brand recommends replacing it after three months of use. But now that you're equipped with the right cleaning method, you can be confident that your Beauty Blender will remain in top condition during that time.
