How to clean makeup brushes: a simple weekly routine

Start with the brushes you actually use

Put your everyday foundation, cheek and eye brushes together and choose a regular wash day. A calendar reminder is useful if you tend to remember only when you need the brush. Pick a time when you will not immediately need the same tools for makeup.

This guide covers personal-use makeup brushes, not salon infection-control procedures or sponge care. Follow any specific care instructions supplied with your brushes. BuyCheck has not laboratory-tested cleaning products or compared their germ-removal performance.

A straightforward wash-and-dry method

The American Academy of Dermatology advises rinsing the bristle tips with lukewarm water, then gently swirling them in water mixed with gentle or clarifying shampoo. Rinse and repeat until the water clears. Keep the whole brush head out of the water so the glued joint is not soaked.

Remove excess moisture with a clean paper towel. Lay brushes flat on a towel, with the bristle ends extending over the counter edge; avoid drying them upright, which lets water travel towards the glue. The academy also advises against sharing brushes.

Quick cleaning and a full wash are different jobs

Real Techniques describes spot-cleaning between uses as a supplement to its weekly wash, not a replacement. It recommends letting washed brushes dry completely. Those are the manufacturer's care instructions, not independent evidence that its own cleanser is better than alternatives.

If you use a quick-clean spray, read that particular label: check the compatible brush materials, application method, warnings and drying directions. Do not assume two products with similar names are used in the same way. Keep the packaging so the instructions remain easy to find.

What to check before buying in Australia

First decide what you are missing: a compatible cleanser, a place to dry brushes, or simply a reminder to do it. If the care directions you already have cover your setup, a new brush-cleaning device may add a purchase without solving the scheduling problem.

When comparing cleansers, record the bottle size, exact product name, whether it needs rinsing, and the total delivered price in Australian dollars. A larger bottle is not automatically better value if it is the wrong format for your brushes. Compare like-for-like quantities, and check the actual seller before ordering.

Make the routine easy to repeat

Keep a small checklist beside your makeup storage: wash day chosen, care instructions checked, drying space ready, brushes fully dry before reuse. After a few washes, adjust the timing around your own routine rather than buying more tools to compensate for rushed drying.

If a brush has damaged bristles or a loose head, check the maker's replacement advice instead of assuming washing will repair it. For persistent skin irritation, seek advice from a health professional rather than treating a cleaning routine as a diagnosis or cure.

Sources

• American Academy of Dermatology: washing frequency, cleaning method and drying advice
• Real Techniques: manufacturer brush-cleaning instructions and spot-cleaning guidance