How to Clean Makeup Brushes & Sponges Like a Pro (2026)

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If you have random acne breakouts on your cheeks that won't go away, look at your makeup brushes. When was the last time you washed them? A week ago? A month? Never?

Dirty brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria, dead skin, and oil. Washing them is the most important skincare step you are skipping.

We tested the best soaps and tools to make this chore faster and easier.

How Often Should You Wash?

Foundation/Concealer Brushes: Once a week. Liquid products breed bacteria fast.

Beauty Blenders: Every single use. Yes, really. They are damp sponges, which is mold heaven.

Powder/Eye Brushes: Every 2 weeks.

📊 Comparison Table: Best Brush Cleaners

Best Brush Cleaners (Detailed Reviews)

1. Cinema Secrets Professional Brush Cleaner — The Sanitizer

Best for: Makeup artists and lazy people.

Why we love it: No water needed. You dip the brush, wipe it on a towel, and it dries instantly. It melts pigment and sanitizes 99.9% of bacteria. It smells like vanilla.

Pros:

• Dries instantly
• Sanitizes
• Smells good

Cons: Expensive for daily use.

2. Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap — The Classic

Best for: Deep cleaning everything.

Why we love it: This all-natural soap cuts through oil like magic. A huge bottle costs $15 and lasts for years. It's gentle enough for natural bristles but tough enough for foundation.

Pros:

• Cheap
• Versatile
• Eco-friendly

Cons: Can be drying if used undiluted.

3. BeautyBlender Blendercleanser Solid — Best for Sponges

Best for: Removing stains.

Why we love it: It comes with a scrubbing pad. You swirl your wet sponge on the soap bar, and it pulls out every bit of foundation stain. It makes your sponge look brand new.

Pros:

• Travel friendly
• Deep cleans
• Lasts forever

Cons: $18 for a bar of soap.

4. Sigma 2X Spa Brush Cleaning Mat — Essential Tool

Best for: Saving your hands.

Why we love it: This silicone mat sticks to your sink. It has different textures for eyes, face, and refining. You swirl your soapy brushes on it instead of your palm. It speeds up the process by 50%.

Pros:

• Faster cleaning
• Saves skin
• Fits any sink

Cons: Storage.

5. Zote Laundry Soap Bar — The Viral Hack

Best for: Extreme budget.

Why we love it: It's a huge pink bar of laundry soap that costs $2. Makeup artists swear by it for synthetic brushes because it melts waterproof makeup instantly. (Maybe avoid on expensive natural hair brushes).

Pros:

• Insanely cheap
• Huge bar
• Effective

Cons: Strong citronella scent.

How to Deep Clean (Step-by-Step)

1. Wet the bristles. Hold the brush facing down under lukewarm water. Do not let water get into the ferrule (the metal part), or the glue will rot.

2. Swirl on soap. Swirl the wet brush on your soap bar or cleansing mat.

3. Massage. Gently massage the bristles to work up a lather and push out pigment.

4. Rinse. Rinse under water until it runs clear.

5. Squeeze. Gently squeeze out excess water with a towel. Reshape the brush head.

⚠️ The Golden Rule of Drying

NEVER dry your brushes standing up. Water will drip down into the metal ferrule, loosen the glue, and your brush will fall apart.

Always dry them laying flat on a towel, with the brush head hanging off the edge of the counter so air can circulate 360 degrees.

✅ Quick Summary Checklist

🔗 Related Articles

• Best Brushes for Beginners
• Top Makeup Sponges
• Prevent Acne from Dirty Tools

Final Thoughts

Cleaning brushes is boring, but it's cheaper than buying new skin. Get a bottle of Dr. Bronner's and a Sigma Mat, and you can wash your entire collection in 10 minutes flat.