Makeup brush care is easier when washing and drying have a regular place in your routine. Set aside the brushes you use, check their care instructions and prepare a clean drying area before getting them wet. That last step matters: a newly washed brush still needs somewhere suitable to dry without its bristles being crushed.
You do not need a large cleaning kit to begin. This guide covers a straightforward hand-washing routine and a storage system that separates used brushes from clean, dry ones. Follow the brush maker’s instructions for any special material, finish or construction.
Check the brush before washing it
Look at the bristles, the handle and the metal or other collar that joins them, often called the ferrule. Check for loose parts, cracked finishes or bristles that no longer sit securely. Cleaning will remove residue; it will not repair a damaged brush.
Find the care instructions for the particular brush. Natural hair, synthetic fibers and different handle finishes may have different requirements. A product described as suitable for liquid makeup is not automatically suitable for soaking, strong solvents or a powered cleaning device.
Set aside anything whose instructions are unclear until you can verify them. Do not try to fix a loose collar by repeatedly soaking it or pushing cleanser deeper into the joint.
Choose a cleaning rhythm you can maintain
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing makeup brushes every seven to ten days. Its guidance also says not to share brushes. Use that as a regular reminder, while following the care instructions and considering when a brush has become visibly soiled or contaminated.
Pick a time when you will not need the brushes again immediately. Dense brushes may not dry at the same pace as smaller, less densely packed ones. Plan around dryness rather than promising yourself that every brush will be ready after a fixed number of hours.
A small “to wash” container makes the routine easier to follow. Keep it separate from your clean brushes so a used tool does not quietly return to the ready-to-use group.
Prepare the work area
Clear space beside the sink and place a clean towel where the brushes can lie flat. Have lukewarm water and a cleanser appropriate to the manufacturer’s guidance ready. The AAD’s method uses gentle or clarifying shampoo; check compatibility before using it on a brush with special care requirements.
Keep other makeup closed and away from splashes. If you use a brush-cleaning mat or bowl, clean that too. An accessory adds another surface to maintain and is optional for a basic routine.
Avoid improvising with bleach, household disinfectants or concentrated solvents. A brush cleanser’s own instructions determine its intended use. Washing a makeup tool does not establish that it has been sterilized.
Rinse, wash and rinse again
Work with one brush at a time so you can see whether residue remains.
- Rinse the bristle tips under lukewarm running water. Keep the handle and joining area out of the water. The AAD specifically advises against submerging the whole brush head because this can affect the glue holding it together.
- Gently work suitable cleanser through the tips. Follow the product directions. The AAD describes swirling the tips in a bowl of lukewarm water and shampoo, or gently working the tips in your palm.
- Rinse the tips thoroughly. Repeat gentle washing and rinsing until the water runs clear, rather than using more force to rush the process.
- Press out excess moisture. Use a clean, dry paper towel and gentle pressure. Do not twist the bristles or pull them away from the collar.
Give each brush a final visual check. Product can remain within a dense brush even when the outer bristles look clean. Take your time and avoid aggressive scrubbing that bends the fibers against their normal direction.
Dry flat with the bristles supported properly
Reshape the damp bristles gently. Lay the brush flat on a clean towel with its tips extending over the edge of the counter, as the AAD recommends. Choose a stable location where it will not be knocked onto the floor or reached by children or pets.
Do not stand a wet brush upright in a cup. The AAD warns that water can run toward the handle and loosen the connection between the head and handle. Avoid packing damp brushes into a closed pouch or forcing the tips into a tight holder.
Allow the brush to air-dry fully. Check the denser area near the base as well as the tips before putting it away. Do not use a heater or hot hair dryer unless the manufacturer explicitly permits that method.
Store clean brushes so they stay identifiable
Once fully dry, store brushes in a clean container or case that does not bend their bristles. Leave enough room to retrieve one without pulling on neighboring brush heads. For a travel case, check that the lid closes without pressing the longest bristles against it.
Make storage easy to maintain:
| Area | Purpose | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Clean brush storage | Ready-to-use, fully dry tools | Clean interior; no compressed bristles |
| Used brush container | Tools waiting for washing | Clearly separate from clean tools |
| Drying area | Freshly washed brushes | Flat, stable surface with tips clear |
| Travel case | Transport after drying | Sufficient length and easy-to-clean lining |
Luluwala is a beauty brand under the same ownership as XZVZX. Its store displayed “Opening soon” on September 12, 2026. This routine does not imply that brushes, cleansers or storage accessories are currently available there, and it makes no claim about the performance of future products.
Keep the routine small enough to repeat. A clear separation between used, drying and clean brushes is often more practical than adding another cleaning gadget without a place to use it.