How to Clean a Beauty Blender

By
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette 2018
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40 years' experience; writing for over 20 years.
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Updated on 09/28/22
White cone-shaped beauty blenders with makeup in front of foundation bottle

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 2 hrs
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0

One of the most important lessons in makeup application is learning how to properly blend to achieve a natural look. Beauty blenders or makeup sponges do a beautiful job in applying and blending everything from foundation to concealer to skincare products. But whether you have a brand name Beautyblender or another brand, it's important to clean and replace it as regularly as you do all of your other makeup and beauty tools to prevent the transfer of bacteria to your skin.

While single-use makeup sponges are usually small and somewhat flimsy—as well as terrible for the environment—reusable sponges are sturdy enough to be used for several months. Made of latex-free foam, the sponges help ensure streak-free application with minimal waste of the beauty product.

How Often to Clean a Beauty Blender

If you use a beauty blender to apply your makeup, ideally they should be cleaned after every use. That's probably not realistic during a hurried morning routine, so aim for cleaning at least weekly. This will remove the makeup, grime, oils, and bacteria that can harbor in the foam. When it comes to replacing it, most brands recommend doing so every three months.

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Featured Video

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Small bowl or sink
  • Washing machine
  • Mesh laundry bag
  • Microwaveable bowl
  • Microwave

Materials

  • Liquid hand soap or bar soap
  • Laundry detergent

Instructions

Materials to clean beauty blenders laid on white surface

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

How to Clean a Beauty Blender With Soap and Water

  1. Mix a Cleaning Solution

    In a small bowl or sink, mix a cleaning solution of two cups of warm water and a few drops of liquid hand soap. You can also use bar soap. Select a soap that is not irritating to your skin type.

    Liquid hand soap pumped into green bowl next to cup of water

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  2. Wet the Sponge

    Place the beauty blender in the cleaning solution and give it several squeezes to make sure that it is absorbing the solution.

    White beauty blenders soaked in green bowl with soap and water and pressed by hand

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  3. Add More Soap and Squeeze

    If the beauty blender is heavily coated with makeup, squirt a few more drops of soap onto the sponge or rub it over a bar of soap. Squeeze the sponge in your hands until it is quite soapy and you can see the makeup transferring into the suds.

    Liquid soap pumped into green bowl with soaked beauty blenders

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  4. Add a Soak

    If the sponge is still discolored, mix a fresh batch of the cleaning solution, and leave the sponge to soak for at least 15 minutes. Repeat the squeezing steps until no more discolored suds appear.

    Beauty blenders soaking in green bowl and cleaning solution

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  5. Rinse Well

    Hold the beauty blender under a running faucet of warm water. Squeeze repeatedly until no more suds appear.

    White beauty blenders rinsed under bathroom sink with running water

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  6. Air-Dry

    Place the sponge in a spot where it will get good air circulation but away from direct heat or sunlight. The sponge should air-dry completely before you use it again. It is very important to let the sponge dry before you store it or mold can begin to grow.

    Cleaned beauty blenders sitting on paper towel for air drying

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

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How to Clean a Beauty Blender in the Washer

  1. Gather the Beauty Blenders

    If you have several beauty blenders that need washing, they can be cleaned in a washing machine. Gather the soiled makeup sponges and place them in a mesh laundry bag. This will prevent them from getting lost in the washer.

    White cone-shaped beauty blenders with makeup placed into laundry bag

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  2. Select the Water Temperature, Cycle, and Detergent

    The washer's water temperature should be set to warm and use the gentle cycle to prevent damage to the foam. Use a natural detergent that is non-irritating to your skin; unscented detergent is usually best. The mesh bag can be washed along with a load of towels or bed linens.

    Laundry bag with used beauty blenders on white towel inside washing machine

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  3. Allow to Air-Dry

    Remove the beauty blenders from the mesh bag and allow them to air-dry. Never place the sponges in a hot dryer!

    Cleaned beauty blenders removed from laundry bag to air dry

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

How to Clean a Beauty Blender in the Microwave

The higher heat of the microwave is beneficial in killing bacteria.

Warning

Do not put the beauty blender alone in the microwave without submerging it in the cleaning solution as it can explode or melt. Do not leave the beauty blender unattended either—it doesn't need much time in the microwave.

  1. Mix a Cleaning Solution

    Fill a microwaveable bowl with two cups of water and a few drops of liquid soap.

    Liquid hand soap pumped into glass microwaveable bowl with water

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  2. Wet the Beauty Blender

    Place the beauty blender in the cleaning solution and squeeze several times to thoroughly wet it.

    Used beauty blenders with makeup being placed into glass bowl with cleaning solution

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  3. Set the Microwave Timer

    Set the timer for about one minute. You do not want the water to boil, only heat up.

    Microwave timer set for cleaning beauty blenders

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  4. Cool, Rinse, and Dry

    Leave the beauty blender in the solution to cool completely. Remove it and rinse under warm water until no more suds appear. Allow the beauty blender to air-dry completely.

    Used beauty blenders soaking in glass bowl with cleaning solution to cool

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Tips to Keep Your Beauty Blender Clean Longer

  • Store your beauty blender in the open in a makeup organizer so it can air dry.
  • When traveling, place it in a ventilated mesh bag, not a ziplock plastic bag.
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