Why It’s Important to Regularly Clean Makeup Tools

“The Number One Reason to Clean Your Sponges and Brushes Is for the Health of Your Skin, ” Says Makeup Artist Ashleigh Ciucci. That’s Because Makeup Sponges and Brushes “Are a Breeding Ground for Microorganisms, Including Bacteria and Fungi, ” Says Joshua Zeichner, Md, a Board-Certified Dermatologist and an Associate Professor of Dermatology and the Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. in Fact, Studies Have Shown That Bacteria Like E. Coli and Staph Are Present at High Levels in Used Brushes That Have Not Been Washed.

1. It Keeps Skin (And You!) Healthy

“The Number One Reason to Clean Your Sponges and Brushes Is for the Health of Your Skin, ” Says Makeup Artist Ashleigh Ciucci. That’s Because Makeup Sponges and Brushes “Are a Breeding Ground for Microorganisms, Including Bacteria and Fungi, ” Says Joshua Zeichner, Md, a Board-Certified Dermatologist and an Associate Professor of Dermatology and the Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. in Fact, Studies Have Shown That Bacteria Like E. Coli and Staph Are Present at High Levels in Used Brushes That Have Not Been Washed.

2. It Helps Makeup Apply Properly

Dirty Sponges and Brushes Can Also Effect the Way Your Makeup Applies. Applying Makeup with Clean Tools Allows Makeup to Go on More Evenly and Smoothly. While, Unclean Brushes and Sponges Can Absorb Products, Making It Difficult to Get a Flawless Finish.

3. It Helps the Tools Last Longer

“Another Reason Is for the Health of Your Tools, Says Ciucci. “The Better You Care for Your Sponges and Brushes, the Longer They’ll Last and the Better They’ll Work. ” Excess Dirt and Oil Can Even Break Down Sponges and the Bristles of Your Brushes over Time, Causing Them to Become Less Effective and Shed.

For Extra Dirty Tools, Try This Pre-Soak Step

And Some of the Skin Care Products You Have on Hand Can Also Help Clean Sponges and Brushes. Fleming Says She Likes to “Double-Cleanse” Her Brushes by First Soaking Them in a Shallow Cup Filled with Micellar Water, or a Liquid Makeup Remover. “This Helps Break Down Any Stubborn Cream Products Before Cleansing with Soap, ” She Says. Tip: Olive Oil and Coconut Oil Can Be Used in Place of Makeup Remover to Help Dissolve Makeup Prior to Using Soap or Baby Shampoo. and Ciucci Is a Fan of Using Face Wash to Suds up Brushes Because They Also Tend to Be Gentle on Sponges and Brushes.

The Best Makeup Sponge and Brush Cleaning Products

While Household Options Work Great to Clean Makeup Sponges and Brushes, Makeup Artists Keep These Affordable Products in Their Kits to Quickly and Deep-Clean Their Tools.

How to Clean Makeup Sponges and Brushes So They Last Longer

Q: How to Clean Makeup Sponges

“Sponges Are More Likely to Hold onto Bacteria, So If You’re Not Keeping up with Cleaning It Will Literally Rot, ” Warns Ciucci. and When Sponges Are Cleaned Often, They “Can Last Three to Six Months, Depending on Quality and Frequency of Use. ” Ciucci Advises Cleaning Makeup Sponges After Every Use, but Cleaning Them Once a Week (Or Once Every Other Week If You Don’t Use a Sponge Very Often) Will Help Prolong the Tool’s Life.

Q: How to Clean Makeup Brushes

Day-to-Day, You Can Clean Your Brushes with a Liquid Cleanser or Mild Antibacterial Soap to Remove Product and Disinfect, Says Ciucci. “Baby Shampoo or Fragrance-Free Liquid Soap Are My Go-Tos for Cleaning My Brushes, ” Says Fleming. These Two Household Staples Gently Remove Makeup from Brushes and Sponges Without Drying out the Bristles or Making a Sponge Feel Stiff. She Advises Deep Cleaning Brushes with a Brush Cleanser or Shampoo “Every Two Weeks or Once a Month, Depending on the Weight of the Product You Use Them for and How Often You Use Them Within a Month. ” That’s Because “If You Care for Your Brushes Properly, They Can Last a Lifetime, ” She Says. “However, When the Bristles Start to Shed or If the Brush Starts to Smell, It’s Time to Replace Them. ”

By Sarah Jenkins

• Oct 8, 2026 • 7 min read

How to Clean Makeup Sponges and Brushes So They Last Longer

Direct Answer • Key Takeaway

It’s Easy to Forget to Clean Our Makeup Brushes, Especially When the Tedious Task Is Never at the Top of Our to Do List. but Dermatologists Caution That Sponges and Brushes Can Be a Breeding Ground for Potentially Dangerous Bacteria That Can Cause Skin Rashes — and Worse. Makeup Artists Explain That Dirty Tools Can Produce Uneven Results, and Clean Tools Just Last Longer. And, If You’re Like Us, You’ve Never Really Understood Just How Often and How Well You Need to Clean Beauty Helpers. Read on for the Simple Techniques That Will Leave Your Makeup Tools Squeaky Clean and in Turn You Looking Extra Gorgeous the Next Time You Use Them.

Sarah Jenkins

Senior Technology Editor & AI Specialist

Sarah Jenkins is a veteran tech journalist with over 12 years of experience covering artificial intelligence, mobile innovations, and digital ethics. Her insights have appeared in leading technology publications worldwide.

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