How to Clean Make Up Brushes

Clean your makeup brushes

Makeup brushes are an item women often take for granted. We treat them casually, use them until they fall apart and often forget that they need cleaning and maintenance. Unless the brushes are white, they might not appear dirty. Be assured that they are. Make up brushes collect not only makeup, but they also collect oil, skin cells, bacteria, dirt, and dust. All make up brushes--whether made of synthetic materials or natural fibers--should be cleaned regularly. How often make up brushes are cleaned depends on the frequency of use. If a make up brush is not used often, it may only need to be cleaned a few times per year.

Things You'll Need

• Mild shampoo
• Large bowl or sink with stopper
• Clean towel

Instructions

1. Fill a clean sink or small bowl with warm water. Add a few drops of gentle shampoo or mild liquid dish soap. Avoid using soap that has a strong scent as it may irritate your skin later. If the brushes seem very dirty, consider adding a small amount of makeup remover or witch hazel to the water.

2. Soak brushes in the warm soap solution for several minutes.

3. Massage the bristles of the brushes gently to help remove dirt and debris. Do not scrub the brush too hard, or the bristles may begin to fall out.

4. Rinse each brush thoroughly under warm water, massaging between the bristles to get all of the soap rinsed out.

5. Squeeze the bristles of each brush with a clean towel to remove excess water. It is important to dry the brushes as much as possible. This prevents them from developing mold or mildew.

6. Lay the brushes flat on a towel to brush. If needed, comb the bristles with the fingers to reshape them. Allow the brushes to dry completely before use.

Tips & Warnings

• Replace make up brushes if they become stained. Follow any manufacturer's instructions for cleaning if available.

• Never use harsh chemicals for cleaning make up brushes. Chemicals could irritate the skin, cause an allergic reaction or result in a chemical burn. Do not boil or microwave make up brushes. The brushes could melt or catch on fire. Never share make up brushes or make up items with another individual. Sharing these items could result in eye infections or skin irritation. Do not use shampoo that contains conditioner to clean make up brushes.

Resources

• More information on cleaning make up brushes