Makeup Brush Cleaning Guide: How Often, How to Wash, and How to Dry and Store Brushes

By Alex Carter  ·  Published November 6, 2026  ·  11-minute read  ·  Glow Ledger Beauty Guides

Dirty makeup brushes are one of the most common causes of breakouts, patchy makeup, and wasted product, and they are also one of the most neglected parts of a beauty routine. A brush used for liquid foundation collects oil, pigment, and bacteria with every use, and a brush that has not been washed in a month is applying last month's product, and last month's bacteria, to your face today. This guide explains how often to wash each type of brush, how to wash them properly without ruining them, how to dry and store them, and when a brush is past saving.

Why Cleaning Matters More Than You Think

A makeup brush is a warm, damp, porous surface loaded with organic material, which is to say it is an excellent home for bacteria. Every time a brush touches your skin, it picks up oil, dead skin cells, and microbes. Every time it touches a product, it picks up pigment and emollients that feed those microbes. Left unwashed, the brush becomes a reservoir that transfers bacteria back onto your skin with every use, and that transfer is a common contributor to breakouts, irritation, and, in the case of eye brushes, eye infections. Dirty brushes also perform badly: a brush clogged with old foundation applies new foundation unevenly, a powder brush loaded with old pigment deposits the wrong color, and a blending brush full of residue muddies every shadow it touches.

There is also a cost argument. Makeup brushes, especially good ones, are an investment, and they last far longer when they are cleaned properly. Product buildup at the base of the bristles loosens the glue that holds the brush together, causes shedding, and eventually ruins the brush. Regular cleaning prevents that buildup and keeps the bristles soft, which matters because a brush with stiff, clogged bristles applies makeup harshly and damages the skin's surface over time. Cleaning is not a chore for its own sake; it is the maintenance that protects both your skin and your investment.

How Often to Wash Each Type of Brush

The frequency depends on what the brush is used for. Brushes used for liquid or cream products should be washed weekly, because liquid and cream products are water-rich, they support bacterial growth, and they build up quickly in the bristles. That includes foundation brushes, concealer brushes, cream blush brushes, and any brush used for a liquid or cream formula. Brushes used for powder products can be washed every two weeks, because dry powder does not support bacteria as readily and does not clog the bristles as quickly. That includes powder brushes, blush brushes, bronzer brushes, and eyeshadow brushes used for powder shadow.

There are exceptions. Eye brushes used near the eyes, especially eyeliner brushes and brushes used for cream shadow, should be washed weekly, because the eye area is vulnerable to infection and because eye products are applied to a warm, moist area. A brush used on a blemish or on broken skin should be washed immediately after use, and should not be used on another area until it has been cleaned. Makeup sponges are a separate case: they should be washed after every use and replaced every one to three months, because they are even more porous than brushes and they hold more moisture. A sponge that smells musty, has torn, or has stained permanently is past its life and should be discarded. Our makeup expiry guide covers sponges and product lifetimes in detail.

If weekly washing sounds like a lot, there is a middle ground. A daily spot clean, spraying the brush with a brush cleaner or wiping it on a microfiber cloth, removes surface product and extends the time between deep washes, but it does not replace them. Spot cleaning is useful for a foundation brush between washes, and for an eyeshadow brush when you are switching colors, but the deep wash, with soap and water, is what actually removes the bacteria and the buildup at the base of the bristles. Think of spot cleaning as wiping a kitchen counter and deep washing as cleaning the oven: both have their place, and one does not replace the other.

How to Wash Brushes Properly

Washing a brush properly is simple, and the mistakes are simple too. The method is as follows. Wet the bristles under lukewarm running water, holding the brush with the bristles pointing downward, so water does not run into the ferrule, the metal band that holds the bristles to the handle. Water in the ferrule loosens the glue, causes shedding, and can lead to mold inside the brush. Apply a small amount of gentle cleanser to the bristles: a dedicated brush cleanser, a gentle shampoo, or a mild liquid soap all work, and there is no need for an expensive product. Baby shampoo is a good, cheap option because it is gentle and effective. Work the cleanser into the bristles gently with your fingers, or swirl the brush on the palm of your hand or a textured cleaning mat, until the water runs clear. Rinse thoroughly under lukewarm water, still holding the bristles downward, until no soap remains.

Then reshape the bristles gently with your fingers, pressing them back into their original shape, and remove excess water by pressing the brush gently against a clean towel. Do not pull or twist the bristles, do not use hot water, which can damage the bristles and loosen the glue, and do not use harsh detergents, dish soap, or alcohol-based cleaners, which strip natural bristles and dry out synthetic ones. For a very dirty brush, repeat the wash once, but do not scrub aggressively; two gentle washes are better than one harsh one. For a brush used with a waterproof or long-wear product, a small amount of a gentle oil-based cleanser or a cleansing oil can help dissolve the product before the soap wash, but it must be followed by a thorough soap wash, or the oil will remain in the bristles and affect the next application.

Drying and Storing Brushes

Drying is where many brushes are ruined, because the obvious method is the wrong one. Never dry a brush upright in a cup while it is wet, because water seeps down into the ferrule and loosens the glue, and the bristles dry in a splayed, misshapen form. The correct method is to lay the brush flat on a clean towel, with the bristles extending past the edge of a counter or table so air can circulate around them, or to hang the brush bristle-down using a brush drying rack or a simple clip. Either way, the bristles should point downward or lie flat, never upward, and the brush should be left to dry completely, which usually takes several hours or overnight, before it is used or stored.

Do not use a hair dryer to speed the process, because the heat damages the bristles and the glue. Do not store brushes while they are still damp, because a damp brush stored in a closed container or a makeup bag will develop a musty smell and can grow mold. Once dry, store brushes in a way that protects the bristles: upright in a holder with the bristles up, in a brush roll or case that keeps them separate, or lying flat in a drawer with a divider. Do not throw brushes loose into a makeup bag, where the bristles are crushed, bent, and contaminated by other products. A brush guard, a small mesh sleeve that slips over the bristles, is a cheap and useful way to protect a brush in transit, and it helps the bristles keep their shape.

Cleaning Other Tools: Sponges, Eyelash Curlers, and More

Makeup sponges need more frequent cleaning than brushes, because they are more porous and they are used wet. After each use, wet the sponge, apply a small amount of gentle soap or a dedicated sponge cleanser, squeeze and massage it until the water runs clear, rinse thoroughly, and squeeze out the excess water without twisting or wringing it, which tears the material. Let it dry in an open, ventilated place, not in a closed container. Replace a sponge every one to three months depending on how often it is used, and discard it immediately if it smells musty, has torn, or has a stain that will not wash out.

Other tools need attention too. An eyelash curler should be wiped clean after each use and its pad should be replaced regularly, because a worn pad can pinch and break lashes. Tweezers should be cleaned with soap and water or wiped with alcohol after use, and stored closed so the tips are not damaged. A sharpener for eyeliner and lip pencils should be cleaned regularly, because it collects product and bacteria, and it should be replaced when the blade dulls, because a dull sharpener tears the pencil rather than sharpening it. A makeup bag itself should be emptied and wiped out regularly, because it collects spilled product and bacteria, and a dirty bag contaminates every clean brush put into it.

When to Replace a Brush

A well-cared-for brush can last for years, but no brush lasts forever. Replace a brush when it sheds heavily, when the bristles have lost their shape and will not return to it after washing, when the bristles feel scratchy or stiff, when the ferrule is loose or wobbling, or when the brush has a smell that does not wash out. A brush that has been used on an eye infection should be discarded or, if it is expensive, washed thoroughly and disinfected, and it should not be used again until the infection has fully cleared. There is no need to replace a whole set at once; replace individual brushes as they wear out, and invest in the brushes you use most often, because a good foundation brush or a good blending brush is used every day and is worth more than five rarely used specialty brushes.

Buying brushes is also worth a short note. Synthetic brushes have improved dramatically and are now the best choice for most people: they work well with liquid and cream products, they are easier to clean, they dry faster, and they do not involve animal hair. Natural-hair brushes can be excellent for powder products, but they are more expensive, harder to clean, and more vulnerable to damage. A starter set of synthetic brushes, a foundation brush, a powder brush, a blush brush, a blending brush, and a small eyeshadow brush, covers most needs, and it typically costs far less than a prestige set. Our drugstore versus prestige guide discusses where to save and where to spend on tools as well as on makeup itself.

Your Brush Cleaning Checklist

• Wash liquid and cream brushes weekly, powder brushes every two weeks
• Wash sponges after every use and replace them every one to three months
• Use lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser; hold bristles downward so water stays out of the ferrule
• Reshape bristles gently and lay brushes flat or hang them bristle-down to dry
• Never dry a brush upright in a cup while wet, and never use a hair dryer on it
• Spot clean between deep washes, but do not let spot cleaning replace the deep wash
• Clean eyelash curlers, tweezers, sharpeners, and your makeup bag regularly too
• Replace a brush when it sheds heavily, loses its shape, or smells after washing

Brush cleaning is not glamorous, and it is not the part of makeup that anyone photographs. But it is the part that protects your skin, makes your makeup look better, and makes your brushes last longer, and it takes less than fifteen minutes a week. Wash the liquid brushes on Sunday, the powder brushes every other Sunday, the sponges after every use, and the whole routine becomes a habit rather than a chore. Your skin, your makeup, and your brushes will all be better for it. For the eye makeup that these brushes apply, see our eye makeup beginners guide; for foundation application, see our foundation shade matching guide.

About the author

Alex Carter is the founder and editor of Glow Ledger. He researches beauty products by reading ingredient lists, comparing formulations across price ranges, and checking brand claims against published dermatology guidance before writing a word. He accepts no payment from brands for coverage. Read more on the About page.

Editorial note: This guide is for general information only and is not medical advice. If you have a diagnosed skin condition, persistent irritation, or a reaction to a product, stop using it and consult a dermatologist. Prices mentioned are typical ranges as of November 2026 and vary by retailer.

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