Cleaning your makeup brushes is a small part of your beauty routine, but it makes a big difference to how clean and comfortable your brushes feel to use. Makeup, skin oils and other residue gradually build up in the bristles, so regular cleaning is worth making part of your routine.
In this guide, we will show you how to clean makeup brushes properly at home: what you need, how to wash and rinse the bristles, how to dry your brushes and which common mistakes to avoid.
In short:
Wet the bristles, clean them gently, rinse thoroughly
and leave your brushes lying flat to dry.
Why should you clean your makeup brushes?
Every time you use a makeup brush, a small amount of foundation, powder, blush, eyeshadow and natural oils from your skin can remain in the bristles. Over time, these layers gradually build up.
A dirty brush can also become less pleasant to use. Product build-up may affect how smoothly the brush picks up, applies and blends makeup.
Regular makeup brush cleaning helps remove old product from the bristles and keeps your brushes ready for your next makeup routine.
Clean brushes give you a better starting point for smooth, even makeup application.
How often should you clean makeup brushes?
A useful routine is to give frequently used makeup brushes a thorough wash roughly once a week. Brushes used with liquid or cream products may need cleaning more often than brushes you use only occasionally.
Cleaning them regularly also makes the process easier, because makeup residue has less time to build up deeply between the bristles.
What do you need to clean makeup brushes?
You do not need complicated equipment. For a simple brush-cleaning routine at home, all you need is lukewarm water, a gentle cleanser and a clean towel.
A dedicated brush cleanser can be useful, but a mild cleansing product can also work. The most important thing is to clean the bristles gently rather than scrubbing or twisting them aggressively.
How to clean makeup brushes step by step
1. Wet the bristles
Hold the brush so that the water mainly reaches the ends of the bristles. Rinse them under lukewarm running water to remove the first layer of makeup residue.
Try not to soak the whole brush or the area where the bristles are attached to the handle. Repeated exposure to water around this part may affect the adhesive holding the brush together.
2. Add a gentle cleanser
Apply a small amount of gentle cleanser and carefully swirl the brush bristles in the palm of your hand or in a small clean bowl.
Avoid pulling, bending or twisting the bristles. Gentle circular movements are usually enough to loosen makeup that has collected between them.
3. Rinse thoroughly
Rinse the bristles again under lukewarm running water. Continue rinsing until the water runs clear and no cleanser remains in the brush.
4. Remove excess water
Gently squeeze excess moisture from the bristles using a clean towel. Reshape the brush head with your fingers so that the bristles return to their natural shape.
How to dry makeup brushes correctly
After washing, place your makeup brushes flat on a clean towel. If possible, let the brush heads extend slightly over the edge of the counter or table so that air can circulate around the bristles.
Avoid standing wet brushes upright immediately after washing. Moisture can travel down towards the ferrule and the area where the bristles are attached.
Wash the bristles gently and let your brushes dry flat. Avoid soaking the entire brush in water.
Common mistakes when cleaning makeup brushes
One common mistake is placing the entire brush under water or leaving the brush head soaking. Focus on washing the bristles and try to keep the ferrule and handle as dry as possible.
Aggressively twisting, pulling or scrubbing the bristles can also put unnecessary stress on the brush. Gentle movements are usually enough.
Another important part is drying. Do not put a freshly washed brush straight back into an upright brush holder. Let it dry completely first.
How to clean makeup brushes at home
Cleaning makeup brushes at home can be very simple. You only need lukewarm water, a gentle cleanser and a clean place where the brushes can dry.
A silicone brush-cleaning mat or dedicated cleaning tool can make the process more convenient, but it is not essential. Good technique, thorough rinsing and proper drying matter more.
If an older brush no longer returns to its original shape, constantly sheds bristles or no longer cleans properly, it may be time to replace it.
Explore our makeup brushes and makeup brush sets .
How to keep makeup brushes clean
Cleaning makeup brushes does not need to be complicated. Wet the bristles with lukewarm water, use a gentle cleanser, rinse thoroughly and leave the brushes lying flat to dry.
When regular cleaning becomes part of your beauty routine, your brushes stay cleaner and more pleasant to use.
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Shop makeup brushes →Frequently asked questions about cleaning makeup brushes
How do you clean makeup brushes?
Wet the bristles with lukewarm water, add a gentle cleanser and massage the bristles carefully. Rinse until the water runs clear, remove excess moisture and leave the brushes flat to dry.
How often should makeup brushes be cleaned?
Frequently used brushes are worth cleaning regularly, with roughly once a week being a useful routine for many makeup brushes.
Can you clean makeup brushes at home?
Yes. You can clean makeup brushes at home using lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser. A dedicated brush-cleaning device is not required.
Can you soak makeup brushes in water?
It is better to rinse the bristles without soaking the entire brush. Try to keep the ferrule and handle relatively dry to avoid unnecessary moisture around the glued areas.
How should makeup brushes dry after washing?
Gently remove excess water and place the brushes flat on a clean towel. Let the brush heads extend slightly over the edge if possible so air can circulate around them.