How to Clean Makeup Brushes: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Cleaning makeup brushes is essential for keeping them hygienic and ensuring they apply products smoothly. Regular maintenance prevents product buildup and bacterial growth, extending the lifespan of the brushes.

This guide covers everything you need to keep your brushes clean: why cleaning matters, what supplies to use, and simple steps for both deep and quick cleaning so your brushes stay fresh and work well for years.

Understanding Your Makeup Brushes

Before washing, understanding what your brushes are made of helps you clean them effectively without causing damage.

The Anatomy of a Makeup Brush

Every brush, from fluffy powder brushes to precise liner brushes, consists of three main parts:

The Bristles (or Head): The working part that applies product to your skin. Bristles are made from natural hair (such as goat or squirrel) or synthetic fibres (such as nylon or taklon). Natural bristles are porous and excellent for powder products, while synthetic bristles are smoother and ideal for liquids and creams.
The Ferrule: The metal band connecting bristles to the handle. Usually made of aluminium or nickel-plated brass, held together with strong glue. The ferrule maintains the brush’s shape and prevents bristle shedding.
The Handle: Provides balance and control during application. Handles are typically made of wood, plastic, or sustainable materials such as bamboo.

Why Brush Anatomy Matters When Cleaning

Cleaning your brush the right way protects each part from damage. The metal band, called the ferrule, is especially sensitive. If water gets inside, it can loosen the glue and make the bristles fall out. To avoid this, never soak your brushes in water.

The type of bristles also affects how you should clean your brush. Synthetic bristles are tough and work with most cleansers, while natural hair bristles need a gentler touch to stay soft and keep their shape. If your brush has a wooden handle, be careful not to get it too wet, as it can warp or crack, making proper drying crucial.

Why You Must Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Makeup brushes collect residue from cosmetics, skin oils, and environmental particles. Without cleaning, they can become unhygienic and less effective.

Understanding the risks can motivate you to make this a regular habit.

Prevent Bacteria, Breakouts, and Infections

Each time you use a brush on your face, it collects oils, dead skin cells, and bacteria. When you add liquid or cream makeup, the brush becomes damp and warm, which helps germs grow. Using dirty brushes puts bacteria back on your skin, which can clog pores and cause irritation, acne, or blackheads. In serious cases, especially with brushes used near your eyes, you could even get infections like conjunctivitis or staph.

Achieve Flawless Makeup Application

If your foundation looks streaky or your eyeshadow seems muddy, dirty brushes might be the reason. When bristles are full of old makeup, they get stiff and can't spread new product evenly. Clean, soft bristles help you blend smoothly and apply makeup more precisely.

Prolong Brush Life

Good makeup brushes can last for years if you take care of them. When product builds up, it weighs down the bristles and can make them lose their shape or break. Oils and pigments can also dry out natural bristles, making them brittle. Regularly cleaning your brushes keeps them soft and flexible.

Protect Your Makeup Products

Dirty brushes can spread germs to your makeup. When you dip a used brush into your eyeshadow or foundation, bacteria can get into the product and change how it works or make it go bad faster. Keeping your brushes clean helps your makeup stay fresh and safe to use.

How Often Should You Clean Your Brushes?

Ideal cleaning frequency depends on brush type and products used:

Foundation & Concealer Brushes: Used with liquid or cream products, making them prime breeding grounds for bacteria. Clean at least once weekly.
Powder, Blush & Bronzer Brushes: Used with dry powders, so cleaned less often. Aim for every one to two weeks.
Eyeshadow Brushes: To prevent colour muddying and avoid eye infections, clean every 7-10 days. For bold colour switching, spot clean between uses.
Makeup Sponges (e.g., Beauty Blenders): Their porous texture traps moisture and product, making them highly susceptible to mould and bacteria. Clean after every single use.

How to Deep Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Deep cleaning removes all makeup, oil, and bacteria from your brushes. Try to do this once a week for the brushes you use most often.

What You’ll Need

You don’t need fancy tools:

Gentle Cleanser: Baby shampoo is popular and effective. Gentle bar soap (like Dove or simple soap) or a dedicated makeup brush cleanser also works. For stubborn, oil-based foundations, gentle dish soap cuts through grease.
Textured Surface (Optional): Silicone makeup brush cleaning mats feature grooves that help clean the cleanser deep into the bristles.
Clean Towel: For gently drying brushes.

Step-by-Step Guide

Wet the Bristles: Hold the brush with the bristles facing down and run them under lukewarm water so the water flows away from the ferrule. Avoid getting water on the handle or metal parts, as this can loosen the glue over time.
Apply Cleanser: Squeeze small amount into your palm or onto silicone mat.
Swirl and Lather: Gently swirl wet bristles into cleanser using circular motions. You’ll see makeup residue wash out immediately. Continue until bristles are fully lathered. Be gentle to avoid bending bristles out of shape.
Rinse Thoroughly: Place the brush back under lukewarm water, keeping it pointed downwards. Rinse until the water runs completely clear. Gently squeeze bristles while rinsing to help remove all soap.
Repeat if Necessary: For heavily built-up brushes, especially foundation and concealer brushes, you may need to rewash them. If the water isn’t running clear, add more cleanser and wash again.
Squeeze Out Excess Water: Once clean, gently squeeze the bristles to remove excess water with your fingers. Press lightly into a clean towel to absorb more moisture.
Reshape and Dry: After washing, gently shape the bristles back to how they looked before. Lay the brush flat on a towel with the bristles hanging over the edge of a counter. This lets air flow around the bristles so they dry evenly and keep their shape. Most brushes take 4 to 8 hours to dry. You can speed this up by putting them in a breezy spot, but avoid direct sunlight or heat, as they can damage the bristles. Don’t dry brushes upright in a cup, as water can drip into the metal part and loosen the glue.

How to Spot-Clean Your Brushes

Spot cleaning is quick, water-free cleaning between deep washes. Perfect for sanitising brushes quickly or switching between eyeshadow colours.

Choose Spot Cleaner: Use a no-rinse makeup brush cleaning spray.
Spray Cleaner: Lightly spritz cleaner directly onto brush bristles or a paper towel.
Wipe Brush: Gently swirl the brush on a paper towel.
Let Dry: Bristles will be slightly damp. Let air dry for a minute or two before use. These sprays evaporate quickly.

Caring for Your Makeup Sponges

Makeup sponges need to be cleaned after every use to prevent bacteria and mould.

Saturate Sponge: Wet the sponge under lukewarm water until it expands to full size.
Apply Cleanser: Apply liquid cleanser directly to the sponge or rub against the solid cleanser bar.
Squeeze and Lather: Gently squeeze the sponge repeatedly. You’ll see makeup “bleeding” out as the cleanser works into the core.
Rinse and Squeeze: Continue squeezing the sponge under running water until the water runs clear.
Dry Properly: Squeeze out excess water and air-dry in a well-ventilated area.

Extra Tips for Makeup Brush Care

Conditioning Natural Hair Brushes: Natural bristles can become dry over time. Once monthly, after cleaning, apply a tiny amount of hair conditioner or olive oil to the bristles, leave for a minute, then rinse thoroughly. This keeps them soft and extends lifespan.
Know When to Replace Brushes: Even with the best care, brushes don’t last forever. Replace when bristles are frayed and won’t return to shape, shed excessively, or have a persistent odour even after cleaning. Most brushes last one to three years.

When you take care of your brushes, they work better, help your makeup go on smoothly, and keep your skin healthier. You don’t need a complicated routine – just use lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser, and let your brushes dry flat.

Cleaning them every week keeps them in good shape and cuts down on bacteria. To make it a habit, try setting a reminder on your phone or clean your brushes when you do another regular chore, like laundry or changing your sheets.

Keeping it simple and consistent works better than only doing a deep clean once in a while.