The short answer: wet the bristles with lukewarm water, work in a gentle brush shampoo or mild soap, rinse until the water runs clear, squeeze out the excess and lay the brushes flat to dry. Wash brushes you use every day about once a week, and rinse sponges after each use. Regular washing removes old makeup, oil and dead skin that build up in the bristles.
Key takeaways
- The American Academy of Dermatology recommends cleaning brushes regularly to clear out debris and limit bacteria.
- Keep water away from the base of the bristles. Water in the ferrule loosens the glue.
- Dry brushes flat or bristles-down, never upright in a cup.
- Replace sponges when they tear or stay stained after washing.
How often to clean each tool
| Tool | How often |
|---|---|
| Foundation, concealer and cream brushes | About once a week if used daily |
| Powder, blush and eyeshadow brushes | Every one to two weeks |
| Makeup sponges | Rinse after each use, deep-clean weekly |
| Brushes you share or use on breakout-prone skin | After each use |
Liquid and cream formulas hold more moisture and oil than powders, so brushes used with them need washing more often.
Method 1: hand-washing brushes
- Wet the tips. Hold the brush bristles-down under lukewarm water. Keep the water off the metal ferrule.
- Add cleanser. Put a drop of brush shampoo or mild soap in your palm or on a textured silicone cleaning mat.
- Swirl. Work the bristles in small circles. The ridges on a mat reach the base of dense brushes faster than your palm.
- Rinse. Keep rinsing bristles-down until the water runs clear.
- Squeeze and shape. Press out the water with a clean towel and reshape the head with your fingers.
- Dry. Lay flat on a towel with the bristles over the edge of a counter, or hang bristles-down.
Method 2: an electric brush cleaner
If you own a lot of brushes, an electric spinner saves real time. Our Electric Makeup Brush Cleaner spins at 7,000 RPM and works like this:
- Fill the tank with warm water and a few drops of brush shampoo, no higher than the MAX line.
- Seat the brush bristles-down in the silicone cap.
- Press the button and let it spin for about a minute.
- Empty the tank, refill with clean water and spin again to rinse.
- Air-dry flat or bristles-down.
Spinners suit brushes with slim handles. Very thick handles, around 0.4 in (1 cm) or wider, may not fit the cap, so wash those by hand.
How to clean makeup sponges
- Soak the sponge in warm water until it fully expands.
- Rub a little soap into the stained areas.
- Squeeze under running water and repeat until the water runs clear.
- Press out the water with a towel and let it air-dry in an open spot, not in a closed case.
Sponges wear out faster than brushes. Replace them once they tear, lose their bounce or stay stained after washing. A multi-pack like our 12-Piece Makeup Sponge Set lets you rotate fresh ones in.
Mistakes that shorten a brush's life
- Soaking the whole brush. Water in the handle and ferrule loosens the glue and the bristles start to shed.
- Hot water. Lukewarm cleans just as well and is kinder to bristles.
- Drying upright. Water runs down into the ferrule. Always dry flat or upside down.
- Using a hair dryer. High heat can warp synthetic bristles. Give brushes several hours, or overnight, to air-dry.
Spot-cleaning between washes
If you switch eyeshadow colors mid-look, swipe the brush on a clean tissue or a dry sponge to lift the old pigment. This doesn't replace a proper wash.
FAQ
Can I use dish soap?
A gentle, fragrance-free soap works in a pinch. Strong degreasers can dry out natural bristles over time, so a brush shampoo or baby shampoo is a better routine choice.
How do I know a brush is fully dry?
Press the center of the bristles against your wrist. If it feels cool or damp, give it more time.
When should I replace a brush?
Replace it when bristles shed, splay out of shape or feel scratchy even after washing.
See all our brushes, sponges and cleaning tools in Makeup Brushes & Sponges.