If you’ve ever wondered how to clean makeup brushes without it feeling complicated or like a huge chore, this is the routine I personally use. I know there are a lot of different ways to sanitise brushes, and over the years I’ve definitely changed how I do it. This is the exact routine I use every week, both for myself and before working on clients, and it’s what keeps my brushes clean, soft, and in good condition.
What You’ll Need
Before I start, I like to have everything ready so I’m not running around mid-wash. I usually keep all my dirty brushes from the week in canisters, so when it’s time to clean them, they’re already in one place. This is what you’ll need:
- Dirty makeup brushes
- Baby shampoo
- Eucalyptus oil
- Vinegar
- A towel
- A brush cleaning mat (mine is from Sigma, but any textured mat works)
- Sard soap (optional, for stubborn stains)
- Rubbing alcohol + paper towel (for the handles)
Why I use baby shampoo, eucalyptus oil & vinegar
I like to keep things simple and gentle. Baby shampoo cleans effectively without stripping the bristles, which helps keep brushes soft over time.
Eucalyptus oil and vinegar are both natural disinfectants. They help remove bacteria while still being kind to the bristles. I find this combination cleans deeply without drying brushes out — especially important if you’re using good-quality brushes or working on clients.
There are plenty of pre-made brush cleaners out there, and there’s nothing wrong with them. This is just the combination I personally prefer because it works well and keeps my brushes in great condition.
Step 1: Separate Your Brushes
Before washing anything, I always separate my brushes based on what I’ve used them for. Cream and liquid brushes go together, powder brushes stay in their own group, and smaller brushes that have been used with waterproof or long-wear products get separated as well.
Sponges always stay on their own. This makes the whole process easier and stops heavier residue from transferring onto brushes that don’t need that level of cleaning.
Step 2: Mix your brush cleaner
Once everything is separated, I mix my cleanser. How much baby shampoo I use depends on how many brushes I’m washing that day, but you really don’t need a lot, as you can always make more of the mixture.
I add about a generous spoon of eucalyptus oil and a small splash of vinegar, then mix everything together well. It is important that all ingredients are mixed well together.
Step 3: Wash the brushes
Take one brush at a time and dip only the tip of the bristles into the mixture. Avoid submerging the entire brush.
Gently squeeze out the excess — you’ll usually see makeup coming out straight away.
Using your brush cleaning mat, softly swirl the brush over different textures depending on the size of the brush and how much product is built up. Be gentle and don’t press too hard — rough scrubbing can damage the bristles.
When rinsing, always keep the brush facing downward. This is very important, as letting water run into the ferrule (the metal part) can loosen the glue and cause shedding over time.
Rinse, gently squeeze out the water, and check if there’s any product left.
Step 4: Remove Stubborn Stains (Optional)
If a brush still has staining — especially lighter or white brushes — I use sard soap.
You can find it at the supermarket for just a couple of dollars. Add a little water, gently work it into the bristles on the mat, then rinse again. This step is especially helpful for foundation brushes.
Once the brush is clean, place it flat on a towel.
Step 5: Clean the Handles
After all the brushes are clean and laid out, I finish by cleaning the handles. I spray a little rubbing alcohol on the brush itself and use a paper towel to wipe each handle down. It’s an easy step to skip, but it makes a big difference, especially if you’re working on other people.
If you pay close attention you will see how dirty the brush handles actually are after a makeup application. To avoid any cross contamination I always ensure to clean the handles well.
Let Brushes Dry Properly
I always let my brushes dry flat on a towel and leave them to air-dry completely before using them again. I avoid standing them upright while they’re still wet because water can still travel into the handle.
The brushes will be dry most likely overnight, depending on what the weather is doing. I usually do a big deep clean once a week because I have multiple brushes so I can afford to use a new clean brush every time, and keep the dirty ones to the side until is deep cleaning time.
If you prefer to see this routine in action, you can watch the full video tutorial where I walk through every step while cleaning my brushes.
Final Thoughts
Regularly cleaning your makeup brushes makes a huge difference — not just for hygiene, but for how your makeup applies and how long your brushes last. Once you get into a routine, it becomes quick, easy, and honestly very satisfying.
