Your makeup brushes aren’t just tools—they’re tiny, fluffy warriors that battle blemishes and blend like pros.
But if you don’t clean them regularly, they go from beauty MVPs to sneaky little germ carriers. Over time, they accumulate bacteria that can invade your skin, triggering breakouts, irritating sensitive areas, and exacerbating acne-prone spots.
And let’s talk about the gunk on dirty brushes—old makeup, oils, and dead skin cells that pile up on those bristles. Left unchecked, this buildup won’t just clog your pores; it’ll give you blackheads and uneven texture, making you wonder why your foundation suddenly looks like it was applied with a spatula.
Wait, there’s more!
Neglecting your brushes is like skipping spa days—they’ll end up stiff, frayed, and on the fast track to retirement. Regular cleaning keeps them soft, springy, and fabulous, meaning better makeup application and fewer “why is my contour streaky?!” moments.
Want to save cash by not replacing your makeup brushes every other month? A little soap and water can go a long way—so show your brushes some love, and they’ll love your face right back.
Ultrasonic Cleaner for Makeup Brush Cleaning
Washing cosmetics brushes by hand is often harmful since it necessitates scrubbing. However, using an ultrasonic cleaner machine to clean makeup brushes will ensure that your brushes receive the lightest form of cleaning while keeping the bristles intact.
An ultrasonic cleaner is a device that uses sound waves to clean objects. It works by creating high-frequency sound waves in water, which create tiny bubbles. These bubbles then collapse, creating a cleaning action that removes dirt, grime, and other build-ups from surfaces.
As a result, your brushes are cleaned without requiring you to use harsh chemicals.
However, there are a few limitations & considerations to be aware of before cleaning your makeup brushes in an ultrasonic cleaner. These include:
Not Ideal for All Brush Types – Ultrasonic cleaners may struggle to remove residue from densely packed brushes (like foundation or kabuki brushes) because the vibrations don’t penetrate well through thick bristles.
Pre-rinse and Post-cleaning – You may need to rinse the brushes beforehand to loosen stubborn makeup. After ultrasonic cleaning, drying, and reshaping, the brushes are still necessary, which means manual work will still be required.
Potential Damage to Brushes – Brushes with natural hair (like goat or squirrel hair) may lose their shape, and the vibrations in a cleaner machine could loosen or damage the soft natural fibers of the brush over time.
Also, ultrasonic waves might weaken the glue holding the bristles to the ferrule, causing shedding.
Using a sonic cleaner to clean makeup brushes
Here’s how to use the sonic cleaner machine to clean your makeup brush…
Step 1. Fill the ultrasonic cleaner with water and a little bit of mild dish soap or baby shampoo. Avoid alcohol or harsh detergents as they can damage finishes or dissolve glue.
Step 2. Place the makeup brushes in the water solution and let the machine do its work (for around 3–10 minutes depending on tool grime).
Step 3. Once the cycle is complete, remove the brushes and rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Step 4. Gently squeeze out any excess water and lay the brush on a clean towel to dry overnight.
Step 5. Repeat this process once a week or as needed.
What other beauty tools can this machine clean?
An ultrasonic cleaner can clean a variety of non-electronic beauty tools—basically anything that’s waterproof, durable, and doesn’t have delicate glued or battery-operated parts.
Particularly your metal tools like tweezers, nail clippers, lash curlers, and cuticle nippers can benefit immensely from ultrasonic cleaning. These items pick up oils, skin residue, and bacteria over time, and wiping them down isn’t enough.
With an ultrasonic cleaner, high-frequency sound waves shake loose dirt from the tiniest grooves, restoring tools to a near-sterile state without scrubbing or harsh chemicals.
It also works wonders on makeup sponges, clipper blades, and reusable facial razors. Sponges, especially, are breeding grounds for bacteria.
A quick cycle in the ultrasonic cleaner with a bit of mild soap helps remove foundation buildup and grime you can’t see. Even non-electric gua sha stones or real jade rollers come out squeaky clean, minus the hand fatigue.
Other Ways to Clean Your Makeup Brushes at Home
Ideally, you should clean your makeup brushes once a week. However, if you find that your brushes are starting to smell or look dirty before then, don’t hesitate to clean them more frequently.
Also, if you have sensitive skin, you may want to clean your brushes more often to prevent irritation.
Worry not, there’s no need for fancy cleaners—just a little elbow grease and some household items can keep your brushes looking fresh and fabulous. Here are some easy methods to get those bristles squeaky clean besides using ultrasonic cleaner:
1. The Classic: Soap + Water Combo
What you’ll need: Gentle shampoo, liquid dish soap, or baby shampoo.
How to do it:
- Mix a few drops of soap with lukewarm water in a bowl.
- Swirl your brushes in the soapy water, massaging the bristles with your fingers.
- Rinse under running water until it runs clear, then air dry.
Pro Tip: Keep the brush head facing downward to avoid water weakening the glue inside the ferrule (the metal part holding the bristles).
2. Olive Oil + Soap for Deep Cleaning
This is the best method for brushes clogged with heavy foundations or cream products.
What you’ll need: Olive oil + dish soap.
How to do it:
- Mix equal parts olive oil and soap on a plate.
- Gently swirl the brush tip in the mixture.
- Rinse with lukewarm water until all residue is gone.
Bonus: The oil conditions your bristles, keeping them soft and smooth.
3. Vinegar Rinse for Natural Cleaning
What you’ll need: White vinegar, water, and dish soap.
How to do it:
- Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to a cup of warm water with a drop of soap.
- Swirl the brush in the mixture for 30-60 seconds.
- Rinse thoroughly under running water and dry flat.
Pro Tip: The vinegar acts as a natural disinfectant—great for sensitive skin. As an alternative to vinegar, you can also use rubbing alcohol. Simply put rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and wipe away the makeup residue. Rinse the brush with warm water afterward.
4. Micellar Water Magic
Micellar water breaks down makeup without needing a rinse. Also, it quickly cleans when you’re short on time.
What you’ll need: Micellar water and a towel.
How to do it:
- Pour a little micellar water on a clean towel.
- Gently rub the brush bristles on the towel until the product stops coming off.
5. Brush Cleaning Mat Hack
What you’ll need: Brush cleaning mat (or a silicone oven mitt with ridges!).
How to do it:
- Add soap and water to the mat.
- Swirl your brushes on the textured surface to break down residue faster.
- Rinse, reshape the bristles, and lay flat to dry.
Whether you’re deep-cleaning or just giving your brushes a quick refresh, these methods will keep your tools in tip-top shape—and your skin happy.
Drying 101: How to Properly Dry Makeup Brushes Without Ruining Them
Getting your brushes clean is only half the battle—how you dry them matters just as much. Improper drying can damage your brushes, making them lose shape, shed bristles, or fall apart.
Here’s a detailed guide to drying them the right way so they stay soft, durable, and effective.
1. Use a Towel to Blot Excess Water
After rinsing, gently squeeze the bristles with a clean towel to remove as much water as possible. Don’t tug or twist the bristles—this can mess up the shape and cause fraying.
A microfiber cloth works even better than a regular towel because it absorbs water faster and helps prevent bristle damage.
2. Lay Brushes Flat on the Edge of a Surface
Place your brushes horizontally on the edge of a counter, table, or drying rack. The bristle part should hang slightly over the edge to allow airflow all around and prevent it from getting flattened on one side. This ensures that the brush heads keep their shape and dry evenly.
If required reshape the bristles while wet by gently smoothing the bristles back into their original shape before leaving them to dry. This helps prevent them from splaying out and ensures they stay fluffy and effective.
3. Speed Things Up Hang Brushes Upside Down
Gravity pulls the water out of the bristles, keeping moisture away from the glue and allowing your brushes to dry faster.
So, as a solution, use a rubber band or hair tie to hang your brushes upside down from a rod, hanger, or towel bar. You can also buy special brush drying racks made for this purpose.
In any circumstance, avoid drying brushes upright – water can seep into the ferrule (the metal part connecting the handle and bristles) and loosen the glue, leading to shedding or broken brushes.
Over time, moisture buildup can also cause mold or a musty smell. So, it’s important to always dry your brushes horizontally or upside down.
4. Be Patient: No Blow-Drying or Direct Sunlight
Heat from a blow dryer or sunlight can dry out the bristles, making them brittle and causing them to shed. It’s tempting, but slow air drying is always the best way to go. Synthetic brushes will usually dry faster (4-6 hours).
However, if you have natural hair brushes they can take up to 12-24 hours, depending on their size and density.
Conclusion: Ultrasonic Makeup Brush Cleaner – Is It Worth It?
In the end, an ultrasonic makeup brush cleaner can be a game-changer if you’re looking for a hassle-free, time-saving way to deep-clean your brushes. Its ability to gently but thoroughly remove dirt, oils, and makeup residue makes it especially appealing for those with a large brush collection or busy schedules.
However, it’s not a miracle worker—some stubborn, heavy-duty products may still need a pre-clean or manual scrubbing. If you’re someone who values convenience and doesn’t mind the upfront cost, it’s definitely worth a try.
But if you enjoy the good old soap-and-water routine, you might not feel the upgrade is essential. Either way, the key takeaway is that whether manual or ultrasonic, cleaning your brushes regularly is non-negotiable if you want great makeup results and healthy skin.