11 DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner And Other Handy Cleaning Hacks

Prepare your own DIY makeup brush cleaner and disinfecting regimen with this smart DIY guide. We also have here smart tips and ideas for cleaning other styling and personal items as a plus!

DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner Plus Tips From Savvy Stylists

Have you thought about the items you’re using for styling for 2018? Yes, I’m talking about your makeup brushes, sponges, hair brushes and everything you use to help keep you looking fab. We wash our face at least once a day and allowing dirty makeup brush on it is just…eww!

Spare your wallet of the outrageous expense for costly cleaners or a new makeup brush set. Include improved cleaning habits in your New Year’s resolution and take this DIY makeup brush cleaner solutions and tips!

1. Use Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an amazing essential oil used for different cleaning purposes around the household. We found out that tea tree oil also helps fight pimples and acne and is a great makeup remover. Ridding your makeup brushes of facial bacteria should be easy-peasy, then. Mix two cups of hot water with half a cup of vinegar, add ten drops of tea tree oil. Wash the bristles of your makeup brushes with the solution.

Plus tip! Your tea tree oil solution also makes a great toothbrush cleaner. While we change brushes every three months that doesn’t mean you won’t have to clean it on a regular basis. Soak your toothbrush in tea tree oil solution and rinse well before using.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar Makeup Brush Cleanser

It’s no secret apple cider vinegar has lots of amazing uses around the household. Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, half a teaspoon of dish soap, and a cup of water in a container. Allow your makeup brush bristles to sit in the mixture and soak for ten minutes, then rinse each brush in cold water. Dry them with a towel and hang to dry overnight with bristles down.

Plus Tip! Bacteria and dirt in your hair brushes could very well bring dandruff and other diseases to your scalp. Mix one is to one ratio of vinegar and water solution to soak your hairbrush in to act as an antiseptic. Use an old toothbrush to sweep away debris and gunk from the bristles.

3. Smart Makeup Brush Drying Hack

One reason why most of us shy away from cleaning our makeup brushes is we don’t want water to hurt our set. Apparently, water can weaken the bond of the brush bristles or hair with the handle, and if it’s a wooden handle, water can eat through the handle itself. We’ve found the perfect solution to this predicament with the aid of simple household items.

All you need is a hanger and some rubber bands or hair ties. Lay your makeup brushes against the hanger rod with the bristles down. Bring the rubber bands or hair ties to the back of the rod. Bring two ends forward so they meet. Lastly, simply slide your makeup brushes from below, handles first, to secure.

Plus tip! You can also use this technique when cleaning your wooden hair brushes.

4. DIY Makeup Brush Cleaning Board

This DIY makeup brush cleaning board from Popsugar is just amazing. All you need is a clipboard, hot glue, hot glue gun, and a steady hand. First is to drop small dots of hot glue on the upper half of the clipboard to create grooves. The grooves will help loosen dirt in your make up brushes. When the dots dry, remove excess hot glue from between and around the dots. Next is to make wave patterns on the bottom half of the clipboard and some diagonal patterns. Allow the hot glue to dry to make this DIY glue gun makeup brushes cleaning board!

5. DIY No Rinse Makeup Brush Cleaner

So, how about cleaning makeup brushes after every application especially when changing colors? Rinsing the brushes in water then drying them after every application would be makeup brush murder! Get a clean 200 ml cup or glass and a microfiber. Fold the microfiber and tuck it in the cup. You can give your brush a gentle swirl over the microfiber after every application when changing to a different color.

6. Easy Olive Oil DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner

Mix one part of an olive oil and antibacterial dishwashing soap on a hollow container or a plate. Wet the tip of a hairbrush with lukewarm water then dip the damp end into the mixture. Make sure to put your makeup brush always in an upright position with bristles down so no water is left standing throughout. Swirl the brush against your palm and gently run your thumb and pointer against the bristles. Rinse the tip of the brush with lukewarm water, soak excess water with a towel, then hang to dry.

Pro tip! You can also use this cleaning solution for your mascara brush to loosen dirt off.

Check out the aesthetics on these copper holders! 😍 It’s sure to brighten up any corner on your small-but-maximizable apartment. More tips for teeny living spaces up on our site (link in bio). Go crazy on the DIY-ing! 🍭

A post shared by DIY Projects (@diyprojectsdotcom) on Jun 23, 2017 at 7:05pm PDT

7. Cleaning Makeup Brushes With Coconut Oil

Combine a teaspoon of liquefied coconut oil and a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice in a small clean bowl. Twist your makeup brush bristles and let it swirl in the mixture. Coconut oil will help loosen the dirt and gunk from the bristles and the lemon juice will help disinfect and deodorize your make up brushes. If bits of coconut oil are left in the bristles, you can give it another swirl of lemon juice. The acid in lemon juice will break down the coconut oil. Rinse well with water and use the hanger drying technique to dry.

Pro tip! Like your makeup brushes, you also need to clean your beauty blender just as well, especially, with the frequency it is used. Mix equal parts of dishwashing soap and liquified coconut oil then dip your beauty blender into the mixture. Rub it against your knuckles to squeeze out the makeup particles then rinse under running water.

8. Use Baking Soda To Clean Makeup Brushes

Oil base cleaning products like olive oil and coconut oil can stick to makeup brushes after cleaning. Luckily, we have the all-around dependable baking and cleaning agent baking soda. Get a tall container where your brushes can fit in and stand as upright as possible. Pour in water enough to submerge the bristles of the brushes then add a couple of teaspoons of baking soda.

Stir the mixture well and put in your brushes giving each one a swirl in the mixture. Rinse the makeup brushes thoroughly. Baking soda will help remove oil residue and neutralize odor if there is any and is a great DIY makeup brush cleaner.

9. Don’t Throw Squeezed Lemon Slices

Whether you’re making a DIY cleansing drink or you’re using lemon juice for your beauty regimen, don’t throw the squeezed lemon slice just yet. Use the insides of the lemon halves to brush the bristles against, sort of painting on a canvas.

With lemon’s antibacterial and antiseptic properties, you can disinfect your makeup brushes and leave it smelling nice, too. Lemon will also neutralize the strong odor of vinegar or other cleaning products.

10. Homemade Witch Hazel Makeup Brush Cleaner

Another one of nature’s effective healers is the witch hazel. Indians are known to use this lovely flowering plant as an astringent and anti-inflammatory. Stylists on the other hand use witch hazel in their beauty regimens. It’s known to fight acne, varicose veins, dry skin, and dandruff. Use 100% natural witch hazel to make this homemade makeup brush cleaner.

We will be using a water-based solution you can use for every other day cleaning. Water-based solutions tend to invite bacteria so we will make just enough for two days. Mix half a cup of witch hazel, two teaspoons of baby mild castile soap and 1 cup distilled water. Combine all the ingredients and use the solution to soak the bristles of your makeup brushes.

11. Don’t Forget Makeup Containers

What are clean makeup brushes if you have dirty makeup tools and accessories. Make sure to also clean your makeup containers, kit bags, cleaning boards, makeup brush canister, and others. You can use any of the cleaning solutions here. Personally, I use disinfecting soap or vinegar since they’re practically free.

Pro tip! So you think your dresser is not as dirty as your T and B or your kitchen? Think again and think about the teeny weeny dead skin cells falling off of you from which tiny critters (super tiny they’re naked to the eye) live off. Clean your dresser with the wonderful tea tree oil. Use the tea tree oil solution as an effective disinfecting and pest repellent spray.

Follow the step-by-step guide to clean makeup brushes in this video from Eimear McElheron:

Now you know how to prepare your own DIY makeup brush cleaner plus you’ve got different ways and techniques to suit your lifestyle and whatever cleaning ingredients are available in your household. This New Year, no more dirty and gross makeup brushes with these easy DIY makeup brush cleaner techniques and cleaning tips!

What do you think of these DIY makeup brush cleaner and cleaning hacks? Share your thoughts about it in the comments section below!

Up Next: Homemade Cleaning Products: What You Should Know Before You DIY

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