3 Easy Ways to Clean Makeup Brushes Without Brush Cleaner

Updated at: 10/05/2025

Maintaining clean makeup brushes is crucial for preventing breakouts and ensuring flawless application, but dedicated brush cleaners can be expensive and sometimes harsh on the bristles. Luckily, achieving sparkling clean brushes doesn't require a specialized product! Many effective alternatives exist using everyday household items, saving you money and potentially improving the longevity of your tools. Dirty brushes harbor bacteria and leftover makeup, leading to skin irritation and uneven blending – a problem easily solved with a little know-how. Keeping your brushes hygienically clean elevates your makeup routine, contributing to a healthier complexion and a more professional finish.

This article will guide you through three simple and effective methods for cleaning your makeup brushes without resorting to commercial brush cleaners. These methods utilize readily available ingredients, are gentle on the bristles, and deliver impressive results. Get ready to discover how easy it is to maintain your brushes and achieve a truly pristine application with the easy step-by-step instructions below.

Safety Guidelines

  • Always ensure brushes are completely dry before storing to prevent mold and mildew growth.
  • Avoid submerging wooden-handled brushes completely in water, as this can damage the handle and loosen the bristles.
  • Test any cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the brush first to ensure it doesn't damage the bristles or handle.

Methods: Baby Shampoo Method

Tools Needed

  • Baby shampoo
  • Container
  • Bowl
  • Water
  • Dry lid (or similar)
  • Dish towel

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare Shampoo Solution

    • Pour baby shampoo into a container.
    • Put water in a bowl.
    Put water in a bowl.Put water in a bowl.
    Prepare Shampoo Solution

  2. Mix Shampoo and Water

    • Dip the brush into the shampoo, then into the water.
    Dip the brush into the shampoo, then into the water.
    Mix Shampoo and Water

  3. Load the Brush

    • Swirl the brush on the dry lid.
    Swirl the brush on the dry lid.
    Load the Brush

  4. Rinse the Brush

    • Run the brush under water while swirling.
    Run the brush under water while swirling.
    Rinse the Brush

  5. Check for Excess Shampoo

    • Check if all shampoo is out of the brush.
    Check if all shampoo is out of the brush.
    Check for Excess Shampoo

Tips

  • Use baby shampoo for a quick cleanse; it's gentle and doesn't disinfect.
  • Don't clean your brushes this way every time, only occasionally.

Methods: Bar Soap Method

Tools Needed

  • Perfume-free bar soap
  • Container
  • Bowl
  • Water
  • Dry lid (or similar)
  • Dish towel

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Lathering the Brush

    • Swirl the brush on the soap.
    Swirl the brush on the soap.
    Lathering the Brush

  2. Distributing the Soap

    • Swirl the brush on the lid.
    Swirl the brush on the lid.
    Distributing the Soap

  3. Rinsing the Brush

    • Rinse under running water while swirling.
    • Check for soap residue and rinse again if necessary.
    Check for soap residue and rinse again if necessary.Check for soap residue and rinse again if necessary.
    Rinsing the Brush

Tips

  • Use a perfume-free bar soap designed for sensitive skin to avoid drying out your brushes.

Methods: Dish Soap and Olive Oil Method

Tools Needed

  • Dish soap
  • Olive oil
  • Container
  • Bowl
  • Water
  • Dry lid (or similar)
  • Dish towel

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare Cleaning Solution

    • Mix dish soap and olive oil.

  2. Apply Solution and Scrub

    • Dip the brush into the mixture, then into water.
    • Swirl the brush on the lid and under running water.
    Swirl the brush on the lid and under running water.Swirl the brush on the lid and under running water.
    Apply Solution and Scrub

  3. Rinse and Inspect

    • Check for residue and rinse again if necessary.
    Check for residue and rinse again if necessary.
    Rinse and Inspect

Tips

  • Dish soap disinfects, while olive oil prevents dryness. Consider using a perfume-free dish soap.

Read more: Deep Clean Your Makeup Brushes: The Ultimate Guide for Flawless Skin

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using Harsh Soaps

Reason: Strong soaps can strip the bristles of their natural oils, causing them to become dry, brittle, and shed more easily.
Solution: Opt for a gentle cleanser like baby shampoo or a mild dish soap instead.

2. Over-Saturating the Brushes

Reason: Soaking brushes excessively can damage the glue that holds the bristles to the handle, leading to shedding or even the ferrule rusting.
Solution: Gently cleanse the brushes, avoiding submerging the entire brush head and the ferrule in water.

FAQs

Can I use soap and water to clean my makeup brushes?
Yes! Gentle soap (like baby shampoo or a mild dish soap) and lukewarm water are excellent alternatives to brush cleaner. Make sure to rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
How often should I clean my makeup brushes if I'm not using a commercial brush cleaner?
Even without a specialized cleaner, you should still aim to clean your face brushes at least once a week, and eye brushes after every 2-3 uses to prevent bacteria buildup and maintain hygiene.
Maintaining clean makeup brushes is crucial, especially if you’ve invested in high-quality tools. Speaking of which, if you're looking to upgrade your foundation application, you might want to check out our guide on foundation application tools that will revolutionize your makeup routine. Now, let's get to the task at hand: Here are 3 easy ways to clean your makeup brushes without using specialized brush cleaner.