How to Make a DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner

Do-it-yourself makeup brush cleaner is a solution you can create at home that removes oil, bacteria, and makeup residue from your beauty brushes. Cleaning makeup brushes at least once a week is a great way to keep them germ-free and help prevent any buildup of irritants that may occur from old makeup or bacteria.

You can make many different DIY cleaning solutions with a number of household products (including dish soap, baby shampoo, tea tree oil, baking soda, or water) to spritz on your makeup brushes between uses. Always pay attention to the ingredients you use and make sure they are compatible with your brush type and your skin type.

You can make your own brush cleaner in a number of different ways. Baby shampoo and witch hazel are popular with makeup artists, though you can create your own DIY cleaner with more common household ingredients. Some common cleaning products to use on your dirty makeup brushes include the following.

1. 1. Dish soap: Soaking your brushes and sponges in dish soap (or castile soap) and water (with a few drops of olive oil) is a useful solution for soaking and cleaning your brushes.
2. 2. Rubbing alcohol: Rubbing alcohol is a great option if you want to take the extra step to sanitize your brushes. Fill a spray bottle with a solution of rubbing alcohol and water, then lay your brushes flat on an old towel. Spray only the bristles until they are saturated, then wipe them on the towel. Repeat the process until you can wipe the brushes clear of any remaining makeup. Keep in mind liquids like rubbing alcohol may peel the paint from your brush handles, so use this disinfectant wisely.
3. 3. Baking soda: Baking soda is a popular all-purpose DIY cleaning ingredient for many things, and the same goes for makeup brushes. Fill a cup with enough warm water to cover only the brush bristles, then mix in a tablespoon of baking soda and let sit for at least five minutes before rinsing and wiping your brushes clean.
4. 4. Oil: Certain oils, such as tea tree oil, coconut oil, or olive oil are especially useful for cleaning your makeup brushes. You can mix a few drops of these oils together in lukewarm water and soak your brushes, or pour the oils directly into your hand and swirl the brush around to coat the bristles in the mixture. Add in some dish soap to loosen the grease, then rinse your brush.

Some DIY cleaning solutions for your brushes are meant for soaking, while others are for direct application and wiping. However, the quickest and most effective way to clean your brushes between uses is to use olive oil and dish soap. Here is a quick tutorial of how to clean your makeup brushes using a DIY brush cleaning solution.

1. 1. Make your brush cleaner: The type of makeup brush cleanser you want to make depends on which ingredients you’d rather use (whether you have sensitive skin or only have limited ingredients available). For a standard makeup remover solution using dish soap and oil, mix two parts dish soap to one part oil in a dish or small bowl. Swirl your brush bristles around in the solution until your bristles are slightly damp.
2. 2. Clean your brushes: After coating the bristles in your cleaning solution, swirl the brush around in the palm of your hand so that a light lather forms. Don’t rub so hard that the oil penetrates the roots of your brush bristles. You should see the makeup in the brush start to come off in your hand. Rinse the tips of your bristles with lukewarm water until the water runs clear.
3. 3. Let your brushes dry: Squeeze the excess water out of the brush heads and reshape them with your hands. Let them air-dry lying flat on a clean towel or paper towel—not standing up.

Keeping your makeup brushes in good condition is an important and oft-overlooked skincare ritual. In addition to ensuring the quality application of your daily makeup, clean makeup brushes help you avoid breakouts and skin irritation. Here are some care tips for your makeup brushes.

1. 1. Clean your brushes regularly. If you use cream-based makeup often, you should be cleaning your brushes multiple times a week. Otherwise, once a week is usually enough to keep them clean and fresh (and once a month for those who infrequently use their beauty tools).
2. 2. Use lukewarm water when cleaning your brushes. While it may seem like hot water will help destroy more bacteria, it can actually damage your brushes by melting the glue that holds it together. Use warm water or lukewarm water to clean and rinse your brushes.
3. 3. Be gentle with your brushes. You want to thoroughly swirl and wipe your makeup brushes to clear off any leftover grime, sweat, or makeup residue, but you should be gentle when you do so. Avoid roughly rubbing the bristles against towels or mats to prevent fraying or loss of bristles.
4. 4. Dry your brushes properly. Always lay your brushes flat to dry and make sure they’re completely dry before putting them away, as damp brushes can be a breeding ground for bacteria or odors.
5. 5. Store your brushes right. Throwing your makeup brushes into a drawer with all your other tools will only speed up their shedding and/or breakdown. Always store them in their clean containers, canisters, or holsters.

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