Your makeup brushes don’t need a special cleanser. Dermatologists say dirty ones breed enough bacteria to trigger breakouts within a week, but most of us just rinse them and call it done. Here’s how to clean makeup brushes properly, without buying a single new thing. The Scrub Daddy and Scrub Mommy already in your kitchen do the job.
Key Takeaways
- Skip the specialised cleanser: A Scrub Daddy and Scrub Mommy create the same friction and lather a dedicated brush cleanser or silicone mat is designed for.
- Two sponges, two jobs: Use a cold Scrub Daddy Original for grime and a warm Scrub Mommy to rinse and wipe clean.
- Every 7 to 10 days: The American Academy of Dermatology recommends this frequency to stop the bacteria buildup that triggers breakouts and irritation.
- Dry flat, never upright: Hot water and upright drying both loosen the glue holding bristles in place, shortening a brush’s lifespan.
Why Your Makeup Brushes Need More Than a Rinse
Dirty makeup brushes are exactly why breakouts show up in places you don’t expect. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing your brushes every seven to ten days. They collect old product, oil and dead skin fast enough to grow bacteria that can cause anything from mild irritation to a staph infection. Washing your face at night doesn’t undo this. The bacteria lives in the bristles, not on your skin, so a clean face still meets a dirty brush every morning.
Why a Specialised Brush Cleanser Isn’t the Only Answer
Search for how to clean makeup brushes and nearly every result assumes you need to buy one. You don’t. The two things doing the actual work are a lukewarm rinse and gentle friction against the bristles. That’s exactly what a Scrub Daddy or Scrub Mommy is built for.
A silicone cleaning mat exists to give bristles something textured to rub against under running water. A Scrub Mommy’s soft side creates that same friction, and you already own it. If you’re not sure which one you’ve got, this breakdown of Scrub Daddy vs Scrub Mommy covers the difference.
How to Clean Makeup Brushes the Right Way
Once the bacteria risk is out of the way, the method itself only takes five steps.
- Wet the brush: Use lukewarm water only, bristles pointing down, and keep water off the ferrule where the bristles meet the handle.
- Give it a firm scrub: A cold-water Scrub Daddy Original stays firm enough to lift grime, so work it in small circles against just the bristle tips.
- Lather with a gentle soap: A small amount of baby shampoo or a mild hand soap you already have is enough, worked into a light lather in your palm.
- Rinse and wipe it clean: Swap to a warm-water Scrub Mommy, soft side, to work out the last of the product and gently squeeze away excess water.
- Reshape and dry flat: Lay the brush on a towel with the head hanging slightly off the edge. Never stand it upright to dry.
Still Feels a Bit Greasy?
Foundation and concealer brushes hold onto silicone-based product longer than powder brushes do. Give it a second pass using the same steps. Two rounds is normal, not a sign you did it wrong.
Don’t Forget Your Beauty Sponges
Your beauty blender needs this even more than your brushes do. It touches liquid foundation and holds onto moisture, so bacteria builds up faster. Beauty-industry advice is consistent on this: clean it after every use, or at least two to three times a week.
The same warm Scrub Mommy squeeze works here too. Wet it, add a touch of soap, squeeze and release repeatedly until the water runs clear, then let it air dry.
What Not To Do When Cleaning Your makeup brushes
A few habits do more damage than dirty bristles ever would. Hot water loosens the glue holding the bristles into the ferrule, so brushes start shedding.
Drying upright lets water run down into the handle and breaks down the glue from the inside. Alcohol-based cleansers strip natural oils from the bristles and leave them brittle within weeks.
Stop Buying Brush Cleaner You Don’t Need
You don’t need a cabinet full of single-use brush cleaners to clean makeup brushes properly. A lukewarm rinse, a Scrub Daddy for the grime and a Scrub Mommy for the rinse cover brushes, sponges and blenders alike.
If those are already sitting by your kitchen sink, you’ve got everything this routine needs. For every other room, here’s the full guide to using Scrub Daddy for every mess.
Ready to put your sponges to work? Explore the full Scrub Daddy range.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my makeup brushes?
Dermatologists recommend a deep clean every seven to ten days for regular-use brushes. Foundation and concealer brushes worn daily benefit from washing twice a week, since they hold onto the most product and oil.
Can I use dish soap to clean my makeup brushes?
A small amount of dish soap works in a pinch, though it can dry out bristles with regular use. Baby shampoo or a mild hand soap is gentler if you’re washing weekly.
Can I clean makeup brushes without a brush cleanser?
Yes. A lukewarm rinse and gentle friction against the bristles is what lifts product and oil out of the bristles. A Scrub Daddy or Scrub Mommy creates that same friction without an extra purchase.
Is baby shampoo safe for makeup brushes?
Baby shampoo is gentle enough for daily-use brushes and won’t strip natural bristles the way alcohol-based cleansers can. It’s a common substitute among professional makeup artists for exactly that reason.
How do I clean makeup brushes at home without buying anything new?
A Scrub Daddy or Scrub Mommy, a small amount of gentle soap and lukewarm water is enough. You don’t need a silicone mat or a dedicated brush cleanser, just the sponge already in your kitchen caddy.