How to Clean Makeup Brushes | The Complete Wash Method

Guide / By

Cleaning makeup brushes properly involves wetting only the bristle tips with lukewarm water, lathering with a gentle cleanser, and laying them flat to dry for 24 hours.

For the full breakdown, see our best Brush Cleaner for Makeup Brushes guide.

Dirty makeup brushes are a fast track to clogged pores, breakouts, and uneven application — but the fix takes about five minutes of active work. The trick is the technique: get water and soap above the ferrule, and you shorten the brush’s life. Use the wrong drying position, and you invite mildew. Here’s the exact wash protocol, the tools that do the job best, and the mistakes that silently ruin good brushes.

What You Need To Clean Makeup Brushes Well

Gather three things before you start. First, a gentle cleanser — baby shampoo, a sulfate-free clarifying shampoo, castile soap, or a dedicated brush cleanser. These preserve bristle softness better than bar soap, which can dry natural hairs. Second, a silicone cleaning mat or the palm of your hand for swirling out deep-set product. Third, a lint-free towel (microfiber works well) and a clean drying surface with air access.

Avoid paper towels with visible lint — flecks stick to damp bristles and end up on your face. A 70% alcohol spray is useful for quick surface sanitizing between full washes, but it does not replace the deep clean.

The Step‑by‑Step Wash Process

The protocol is the same for natural-hair and synthetic brushes, with one extra step for natural bristles. Follow this exact order for every brush you own.

  1. Wet only the tips. Hold the brush under lukewarm water with the bristles pointing downward. Rinse the lower third of the hairs — never let water touch the metal ferrule, because the adhesive inside dissolves when wet.
  2. Apply cleanser. Squirt a small amount onto your palm or the silicone mat. Avoid spraying cleanser directly onto the brush head; it can drip into the handle and loosen the glue over time.
  3. Swirl and lather. Gently rotate the brush in the cleanser in a circular motion. Keep the pressure light — aggressive rubbing frays bristles. Work until a creamy lather appears.
  4. Rinse completely. Return the brush to the lukewarm stream, bristles down, and rinse until the water runs clear. If the water is still cloudy, repeat steps 2–4.
  5. Blot and reshape. Squeeze excess moisture from the bristles gently between your fingers or against a clean towel — never twist or yank. Mold the bristles back to their original shape with your fingers.
  6. Dry flat on the edge. Lay the brush flat on a clean towel with the brush head hanging off the edge of the counter so air circulates around the bristles. Never dry brushes upright in a cup — water runs down into the ferrule and loosens the glue. Drying flat in the center of a towel traps moisture and invites mildew. Wait a full 24 hours before reuse.

For natural-hair brushes, massage a drop of hair conditioner into the bristles for one minute after rinsing, then rinse again with cool water. This restores softness that plain soap strips away. Synthetic brushes do not need this step.

How Often To Wash Different Brush Types

The frequency depends on what the brush touches and how often you use it. A good rule for deep cleaning: eye-shadow brushes every 2–3 uses, foundation and blush brushes every 1–2 weeks, and lip brushes after every single use, because lip products breed bacteria quickly. Between deep cleans, wipe the bristles with a cleaning spray or alcohol on a paper towel to knock back surface buildup.

References & Sources

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