HOW TO CLEAN MAKEUP BRUSHES

Every time you use a dirty brush, you're putting old makeup, oil, and bacteria back on your skin. Bristles trap product with each use, and natural hair bristles are porous, so they hold onto even more. The longer you go between brush cleanings, the more grime builds up.

Caked-on product also makes brushes stiff and scratchy. That makes blending harder and can irritate your skin. Regular cleaning extends the life of your brushes, so you aren't replacing them too often.

Brush cleanser, dish soap, and baby shampoo are common cleaning choices, but they can dry out and damage bristles over time. Household fixes like vinegar and olive oil can leave behind lingering smells or an oily film you don't want mixed into your makeup.

Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is non-abrasive and non-caustic, so it deep cleans without wearing down bristles. As a degreaser, it breaks down oil-based products like foundation, concealer, cream contour, and cream blush. It also rinses clean, so no residue is left behind to mix with your makeup.

Dermatologists recommend washing makeup brushes every 7 to 10 days.

Directions for Cleaning Makeup Brushes:

Keep water and cleaner away from the ferrule, the metal band that holds the brush. Moisture there loosens the glue over time and causes bristles to shed.

1. Wet bristles. Rinse the brush tip with lukewarm water, holding it bristles-down so water runs away from the ferrule.
2. Soak brushes. Pour a small amount of full-strength Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner into a cup or jar. Use just enough to cover the bristles, stopping below the ferrule. Let the brushes soak for 2-3 minutes.
3. Swirl to loosen makeup. Gently swirl each brush in the cup. Against the side of the sink, or in the palm of your hand, to remove makeup residue.
4. Rinse thoroughly and reshape. Rinse bristles-down under lukewarm water until the water runs clear and no cleaner remains. Since these brushes touch your face, take an extra moment here. Gently remove excess water with a clean towel or paper towels, then reshape each brush head with your fingers.
5. Dry. Lay the brushes flat on a clean, dry towel or paper towels with the bristles hanging off the edge of a counter so they keep their shape. Never dry brushes upright where the water can drip into the ferrule.

Note: Never store brushes while they are still damp or use a hair dryer. Let them air-dry completely, preferably several hours or overnight.

Additional Tips

Natural vs. synthetic brushes. Natural hair brushes absorb more product and water, so be extra gentle and give them more drying time. Synthetic brushes are more durable and dry faster.

Put the leftover cleaner to work. When you're done soaking, pour the used Simple Green into the sink. Give the basin a quick wipe-down and let it help deodorize your drain.

Know when to replace a brush. If bristles are splitting, shedding, or no longer hold their shape after washing, it's time for a new one.

Makeup sponges trap even more product than brushes. See our guide to cleaning makeup sponges.