How to Clean Makeup Brushes Using Castile Soap

I love a quick, effective trick, and cleaning makeup brushes with Castile soap is one of my favorites. It’s a simple, time-saving solution that works well whether you’re keeping a strict beauty routine or squeezing one more step into a busy morning.

Washing brushes often slips to the bottom of the to-do list. Usually I only remember when I’m applying makeup and running out the door — not the ideal moment to dig out a special brush cleaner. That’s why having a reliable soap on hand makes all the difference. A bottle of Castile soap by the sink makes cleaning fast and easy.

Castile soap is strong enough to cut through dried foundation and product buildup yet gentle enough to preserve brush bristles. Clean brushes give smoother application, prevent product mixing, and reduce the risk of transferring bacteria back onto the skin. They also look and feel better, and keeping tools in good condition saves money over time.

The process is straightforward and works for both liquid and bar Castile soaps. It requires minimal time and effort, and you don’t need any specialized products.

How to wash makeup brushes

1. Wet the bristles thoroughly with lukewarm water. Avoid getting water into the ferrule (the metal part) to prevent loosening the glue over time.

2. Add 1–2 drops of liquid Castile soap to the bristles. Organic liquid Castile, diluted liquid soaps, or gentle surfactant-based cleaners all work well.

3. Gently massage the soap into the brush tips for at least 10 seconds, working through the bristles to loosen makeup and oils. Be gentle to protect the shape and integrity of the bristles.

4. Rinse under running water until the water runs clear. Repeat the lather-and-rinse cycle if needed for heavily soiled brushes.

Using a Castile bar? Wet the brush, lather the bar in your hands, then gently work the lather through the bristles for 10+ seconds. Rinse thoroughly and reshape the brush head.

5. After rinsing, gently squeeze excess water from the bristles with a clean towel. Reshape the brush head and lay brushes flat to air dry, ideally with the bristles hanging over the edge of a counter so they keep their shape and avoid moisture collecting in the handle.

Frequency of washing depends on how often you use each brush: foundation and concealer brushes benefit from more frequent cleaning (weekly or biweekly), while powder brushes can be cleaned less often. Regular cleaning extends the life of your brushes and keeps your makeup application fresh and hygienic.

How to wash makeup brushes

Further reading