How to Clean Makeup Brushes Naturally (Easy At-Home Method with Non-Toxic Soap)
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When was the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes?
Had to think about it for a second, huh? Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us (🙋🏻♀️). Cleaning your makeup brushes is one of those things we often forget in the hustle of daily life. After all, when you’re running out the door, cleaning your brushes is probably the last thing on your mind.
But if you’re working toward clearer skin and a cleaner beauty routine, it’s time to up your brush hygiene game. Dirty makeup brushes are a hidden culprit when it comes to breakouts, irritation, and skin congestion, and keeping them clean is key to supporting your skincare routine.
🦠 Why You Should Clean Your Makeup Brushes Regularly
Makeup brushes can house bacteria, dirt, and old makeup residue, all of which can clog your pores and lead to acne, rashes, or even infections. The bacteria builds up from your skin, the makeup itself, and even where you store your brushes (ie. makeup bag, vanity, drawer).
Not to go too deep into the dirty details, but… makeup brushes can actually contain as much bacteria as a toilet seat if not cleaned regularly. Check out this article from the New York Post, which dives into this more. Suffice to say, it’s time to step up your cleaning routine.
🧼 How Often Should You Clean Makeup Brushes?
You should deep clean your brushes every 7–10 days, especially your foundation and concealer brushes, which hold more product and are used on larger areas of the face. You can save the chart below for more thorough recommendations based on brush type/use.
I recommend getting on a schedule and building it into your routine. Choose a day each week. Maybe Sunday before bed, during your weekly house clean, or right after doing laundry. Making it a habit helps me stay consistent and avoid gross bacteria buildup.
🖌️How to Clean Makeup Brushes at Home (Step-by-Step)
Here's your simple, non-toxic method:
What you’ll need:
Bowl or sink
Lukewarm water
A gentle, non-toxic soap or brush cleaner (see recommendations below)
Clean towel, paper towels or a brush cleaning pad
Steps:
Wet the bristles - Rinse the bristles under running lukewarm water. Avoid soaking the entire brush to protect the glue inside the handle.
Apply cleanser - Use a gentle soap or dedicated brush cleaner directly onto your brush, palm or a cleaning pad.
Swirl and lather — Gently work the soap through the bristles in circular motions to break down product buildup.
Rinse thoroughly — Rinse product until the water runs clear and all product is removed. You may have to repeat steps 2 and 3 pending how dirty your brushes are.
Squeeze and reshape — Squeeze out excess water and reshape the bristles with your fingers.
Air dry flat —Lay brushes flat on clean towel with the bristles hanging over the edge of a counter. Never dry brushes upright, as water can seep into the handle and loosen the glue.
🧴 Best Non-Toxic Soaps for Cleaning Makeup Brushes
Using a gentle, clean formula helps extend the life of your brushes and avoid irritating your skin. You don’t need anything fancy, just something effective and non-toxic.
✅ My Go-To:
This is my absolute favorite. It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin, yet effective at breaking down makeup residue. If you already use it for your body or baby items, even better. It’s a multi-use, budget-friendly staple.
Other benefits:
Fragrance-free (great for sensitive skin)
Clean, simple ingredients
Multi-use, can be used as body wash, pet wash, cleaning spray, and more
✅ Other great options:
Branch Basics Concentrate - If you already have this on hand you can totally use Branch Basics to clean your makeup brushes. Make sure you diluted it properly (1 part Branch Basics Concentrate to 11 parts water).
🧼 Quick Brush Cleaning Between Washes
Need something fast between deep cleans? I always keep Jane Iredale Botanical Brush Cleaner on hand.
It’s a non-toxic spray that makes spot cleaning a breeze:
Spray 3–4 pumps onto a clean towel.
Swipe your brush back and forth.
Let it dry for a few minutes.
It’s perfect for:
Travel
Post-workout makeup refresh
Spot cleaning eye brushes between colors
✅ Other great options:
Force of Nature All Purpose Cleaner - If you already have this in your home this is a fantastic disinfectant for your makeup brushes (bet you hadn’t thought about that!). First, rinse any residual makeup from the brushes with water. Then, saturate the bristles with Force of Nature and let them air dry naturally. No need to rinse after using.
🛍 Tools That Make Brush Cleaning Easier
If you prefer more help or just want to speed things up, here are some highly rated tools on Amazon:
Makeup Brush Cleaning Mats – silicone mats you place in the sink
Electric Brush Spinners – dries and spins brushes in seconds, but not the most eco-friendly option.
Brush Drying Racks – helps air dry brushes upside down to protect handles. The bamboo makeup brush drying rack below is an eco-friendly option.
While I personally prefer to keep it simple and avoid over-consuming, these tools can help you stay on track if you’re someone who needs a little motivation.
✔️Quick Recap
Deep clean weekly (eye &lip brushes even more often!)
Use non-toxic soap like Castile, baby shampoo, or Botanical Brush Spray
Never dry brushes upright, always lay flat
Dirty brushes = breakouts
💚 Final Thoughts
Brush cleaning isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of the easiest clean beauty habits you can start today. Your skin will thank you, your makeup will apply better, and your brushes will last way longer.
✨ Got a favorite brush cleaner or tip? Let me know in the comments!
Or share this post with someone who definitely needs a reminder. 😉
Thanks for joining me on this clean adventure. Stay beautiful, stay green.
XoXo,
The Green Hue