Choose a time you can repeat
The best moment to wash your brushes is rarely just before putting on makeup. Choose a time when they can dry without being needed immediately, and clear a surface. Having the recommended cleanser and a clean towel ready saves you from scattering wet tools around different parts of the bathroom as you work.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing makeup brushes every seven to ten days. Use that as a planning reference and check the care instructions for your own tools too. A simple reminder may be more useful than waiting for a major dressing-table clear-out: focus on the brushes you use regularly.
Clean the fibres without soaking the handle
The Academy suggests lukewarm water and gentle shampoo, rinsing the tips until the water runs clear. It advises against submerging the entire brush head because water can affect the glue joining it to the handle. Work gently, and follow specific care directions if your brush needs a different cleaning method.
There is no need to turn your sink into a professional workstation. Arrange the brushes awaiting a wash and leave a separate space for those you have already rinsed. If you use a cleansing palette, let it make the job easier rather than encourage you to press hard against the fibres or rush.
Drying is part of the process
Real Techniques recommends gently removing excess water and laying brushes flat until they are completely dry. It also advises rinsing with the bristles pointing down and not leaving wet brushes upright to dry. Set up the drying area before you begin, rather than trying to improvise somewhere suitable with wet hands.
Once the brushes have dried, return them to their usual place and check that the holder is clean. Group them by how you use them, without necessarily buying another organiser. If the job feels overwhelming, consider how many tools you actually use; looking after a smaller selection may fit your routine better.
Sources and further reading
Evergreen editorial guide published on October 23, 2026, with sources checked on that date. Not breaking news or personalized advice. The image is illustrative.
