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What Can You Use To Clean a Beauty Blender?

Beauty blenders are great for blending foundation or rouge, creating that soft, natural look, or giving your face the contours you wish you were born with. That little sponge can hold onto a lot of makeup, though. What can you use to clean your beauty blender?

There are a variety of cleansers you can use to clean a beauty blender. Use a gentle hand soap, face wash, a mild liquid detergent, and even olive oil to clean the blender. The blender can be cleaned by hand, in a washing machine, or even in the microwave.

Different colored beauty blenders

Beauty blenders that are not cleaned on a regular basis become the perfect breeding place for bacteria and even mold. Not only will the beauty blender become harder to use, but it also becomes harmful to the skin, causing breakouts or other skin irritations.

Ideally, in a perfect world, beauty blenders should be cleaned every day. Most of us are too busy to do this so, at the very least, the beauty blender should be washed every week.

Once you make it part of your weekly routine, such as cleaning them every Saturday night, you will get into the habit of doing it without it disrupting your daily life. And you will be starting your work week off with a fresh beauty blender.

Can You Use Soap (Hand/Bar) To Clean a Beauty Blender?

Hand soap in hand

Hand soaps are effective cleansers and will kill bacteria. Can you use soap (hand/bar) to clean a beauty blender?

You can use soap (hand/bar) to clean a beauty blender, but it is not recommended. Hand soaps often have added ingredients that are not meant to be used on delicate facial skin and can affect how the beauty blender applies the makeup, making it oiler or chalky.

Soap that consists of natural, chemical-free ingredients is best to use when cleaning your beauty blender.

Hand soaps often have added ingredients to moisturize the skin. The added chemicals can not only break down the beauty blender but also cause potential adverse skin reactions over time.

Can You Use Cleanser To Clean a Beauty Blender?

Cleanser in hand

Shelves in the Beauty section of any department store are full of cleansers that clean and nourish our skin. Can you use a cleanser to clean a beauty blender?

You can use cleanser to clean a beauty blender if the cleanser is gentle, and does not have added fragrances, moisturizers, or skin conditioning oils. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the beauty blender, removing all of the cleanser.

Antibacterial soaps are effective at removing bacteria from the beauty blender but if the added ingredients are not removed, it could cause the blender to lose its suppleness and it will start to break down.

Can You Use Dawn/Dish Soap To Clean a Beauty Blender?

Dish soap

Dawn/dish soap removes oil and grease, ingredients that easily collect inside a beauty blender. Can you use Dawn/dish soap to clean a beauty blender?

You can use Dawn/dish soap to clean a beauty blender if it is fragrance-free and dye-free. The added fragrance and dye can cause a negative chemical reaction when it comes in contact with your skin.

Dawn is a household brand that is gentle and effective so there is a low risk of skin reactions, however, it is not specifically designed to be used on the face. Pay extra attention to how well the soap is rinsed out of the blender when you clean it.

The fragrance molecules could affect the chemical composition of your makeup, creating subtle color changes or affecting how the makeup applies to the skin.

Can You Use Microwave To Clean a Beauty Blender?

Setting time on microwave

High heat is effective at killing germs and bacteria. Can you use a microwave to clean a beauty blender?

You can use a microwave to clean a beauty blender. Using the microwave to clean a beauty blender will ensure the soapy water inside the blender reaches a high enough temperature to destroy the bacteria inside.

Place the beauty blender in a microwave-safe bowl that has enough water to cover the blender. Add a few drops of soap to the water. Squeeze the blender a few times to get the soapy water inside the blender.

Microwave the soapy water and blender for one minute. When you remove the bowl, the water will be full of makeup.

Depending on how dirty your beauty blender is, you may have to repeat this process several times. You want only water coming out of the blender when it is squeezed.

Do not place the blender back in the microwave to dry it. Placing the beauty blender back in the microwave will cause the sponge to melt because there is no water or soap to protect it.

If you are in a hurry to dry the beauty blender, place it in the sun or use a hairdryer that allows you to control the heat settings.

Can You Use Baby/Regular Shampoo To Clean Beauty a Blender?

Shampoo bottles in bathroom counter

Baby/regular shampoo is safe to use around the delicate skin of the face and also removes dirt and oil. Can you use baby/regular shampoo to clean a beauty blender?

You can use baby/regular shampoo to clean a beauty blender. Baby shampoo is gentle and free of harsh chemicals that can irritate delicate facial skin. Use regular shampoo that does not have any added moisturizers, conditioning oils, or alcohol.

Beauty blenders are made of silicone, which is porous like your skin. Both baby shampoo and regular shampoo can get in the pores of the blender, removing makeup, but caution needs to be exercised.

Most mainstream shampoos contain ingredients that soften and condition the hair. These ingredients are great for softening and preventing split ends but when it comes to cleaning the beauty blender, the ingredients can build up in the blender.

The buildup of these conditioners can affect how the beauty blender holds onto and applies your liquid makeup. The beauty blender itself could become greasy, making even simple blending jobs impossible.

Can You Use Micellar Water To Clean a Beauty Blender?

Micellar water bottle

Micellar water attracts oils and dirt to itself, effectively cleansing the skin without stripping it. Can you use micellar water to clean a beauty blender?

You can use micellar water to clean a beauty blender if it is used in conjunction with warm, soapy water. Micellar water attracts the oils in makeup. Use micellar water as a first step before washing the blender in warm, soapy water.

Micellar water contains molecules that attract dirt and oil to itself. The benefit of using micellar water when cleaning your face is that it will not strip the skin of its natural oils and you do not have to follow with soap.

Micellar water is great for cleaning and hydrating the skin but when it comes to cleaning a beauty blender it should be used along with soapy water.

Using micellar water before cleaning the blender with soap and water will help to break down the makeup stored in the beauty blender. It can also be used as the last step to make sure all of the makeup has been removed.

Can You Use Olive Oil To Clean a Beauty Blender?

Olive oil being poured into glass bowl

Thanks to TikTok most of us are familiar with the concept of using oil to remove makeup. Can you use olive oil to clean a beauty blender?

Generally speaking, you can use olive oil to clean a beauty blender if it is part of a double cleansing method. Applying olive oil to a dry beauty blender will break down the oils in makeup, making it easier to clean the blender with the cleanser of your choice.

Simply massaging olive oil into a beauty blender will not clean it. The sponge needs to be cleansed with a cleanser and water to effectively remove the makeup, kill bacteria, and rinse off the oily residue from the olive oil.

Rinse the beauty blender well enough so no oil remains in the blender. The oils will affect how the blender holds onto and applies your liquid makeup.

Can You Use a Brush Cleaner To Clean a Beauty Blender?

Brush cleaner scrubbing bubbles

You already have a product designed to clean your makeup brushes. Can you use a brush cleaner to clean a beauty blender?

You can use brush cleaner to clean a beauty blender. The same ingredients that break down and wash away the oils in makeup brushes will have the same effect on your beauty blender. Continue washing the beauty blender in the brush cleaner until clear water comes from the blender.

Cleansers marketed specifically for a beauty blender are gentle, soy-based, low-sudsing cleaners that will not dry out the blender. But they are not cheap. And if you are wanting to clean your beauty blender on a regular basis, you will quickly run out of brush cleaner.

Can You Use Alcohol To Clean a Beauty Blender?

Rubbing alcohol glass bottle

Alcohol is a great disinfectant, killing germs and bacteria. Can you use alcohol to clean a beauty blender?

You should not use alcohol to clean a beauty blender. Alcohol is very strong and it will cause the beauty blender to break down. There is also a risk that the alcohol will interact negatively with the makeup, causing skin irritations.

Alcohol is best left to disinfecting household items, not beauty products. Using hot, soapy water will clean and disinfect the beauty blender.

Beauty blenders should be replaced every 3 months. If you are regularly cleaning the beauty blender, bacteria will not have a chance to grow in the blender. The blender will not need to be disinfected with a strong solution.

Can You Use Vinegar To Clean a Beauty Blender?

Vinegar cleaning solution

Vinegar is naturally antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antimicrobial. Can you use vinegar to clean a beauty blender?

You can use vinegar to clean a beauty blender if it is diluted. Undiluted vinegar will leave a lasting vinegar scent in the beauty blender. The high acidic content of vinegar can also cause the beauty blender to break down.

Vinegar will break down the oils found in makeup but it may need a little help in removing them, especially if your beauty blender is so full of makeup you can’t remember what color it originally was.

How you use vinegar to clean your beauty blender is a personal choice. Some prefer to use the diluted vinegar solution to break down the makeup and then they wash the blender in warm, soapy water.

Others prefer to wash the blender in warm, soapy water and then follow with the diluted vinegar to disinfect the blender.

A third way to use vinegar to clean a beauty blender is by using vinegar and soap together. Mix a few drops of soap into the diluted vinegar solution and submerge the beauty blender. Squeeze the blender a few times to get the solution inside the beauty blender.

You might be wondering which vinegar is best to use when cleaning a beauty blender. The first choice is white vinegar. It is colorless and the most affordable option.

If you only have apple cider vinegar in your cupboard, you can use it to clean the blender. Be sure to dilute it, though. The tannins in apple cider vinegar can stain the beauty blender.

Diluting the vinegar will also help ease the vinegar smell. The scent should not linger too long and should not be absorbed into the beauty blender, but why take the chance.

Can You Use Face Wash/Cleanser To Clean a Beauty Blender?

Face wash cleaner in hands

We use a face wash/cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and makeup from the skin on our face. Can you use face wash/cleanser to clean a beauty blender?

You can use face wash/cleanser to clean a beauty blender. Use a face wash/cleanser that is gentle and sulfate-free. Sulfates can be irritating to facial skin. Avoid face wash/cleansers that have added fragrance or essential oils.

Even though face wash/cleansers are designed for the face, the interaction between the added ingredients, such as essential oils, can negatively affect how the sponge holds onto and applies your makeup.

How To Clean Beauty Blender Properly

Beauty blenders

Keeping your beauty blender clean is essential to getting the most use of the blender but it is also crucial to keeping your skin healthy. A dirty beauty blender can cause breakouts or other skin irritations.

It may seem simple enough to clean the beauty blender but there are a couple of different ways you can clean it.

Soap and Water

Step 1: Hold the beauty blender under running water until it is full of water.

Step 2: Lather the soap onto the beauty blender.

Step 3: Whether you are using your hand or a silicone pad, use enough friction to break up the makeup and squeeze it out of the beauty blender. Be careful to not tear the beauty blender on the silicone pad. Beauty blenders are delicate.

Step 4: After a few minutes, rinse the beauty blender under warm running water.

Step 5: Squeeze the blender as you hold it under the running water. If a lot of makeup comes out, repeat the earlier steps until no makeup comes out.

Step 6: Once all of the makeup has been removed, let the blender air dry completely before storing.

Soak

Another way to clean the beauty blender is by letting it soak in a small bowl of soap and water. If it has been a long time since you last cleaned the beauty blender, use boiled water and soap.

Let the sponge sit in the mixture for a few minutes and then massage the soap into the sponge. Rinse the beauty blender under warm, running water until it runs clear.

If the beauty blender has an excessive amount of makeup in it, soak the blender again in warm, soapy water. Repeat the process until no makeup comes out of the blender.

Washing Machine

If you have more than one beauty blender to wash, the quickest and easiest way to clean them is by putting them in the washing machine.

Put the beauty blenders in a lingerie bag to protect them. Use a mild detergent that is gentle and fragrance-free.

Run the washing machine on the gentle cycle with an extra rinse.

This content is owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on Apr 29, 2022..

Let the blenders air dry completely before putting them away.

Microwave

The microwave will quickly zap bacteria hanging out in the beauty blender but caution needs to be taken when you do this – otherwise you will end up with a melted mess.

Step 1: Put the beauty blender in a microwave-safe bowl with enough soap water to completely cover them and give the blender a few squeezes to get the soapy water inside it.

Step 2: Turn the microwave on for one minute. You should already see makeup in the soapy water.

Step 3: When the blender is cool enough to handle, squeeze the blender under running water to get all the makeup out.

This article was first published on Apr 29, 2022 by Wabi Sabi Group..

Step 4: Lay the beauty blender on a clean cloth and let it air dry completely.

To clean a beauty blender properly, use a gentle soap that does not have added fragrance, essential oils, or moisturizers. Rinse the beauty blender until warm, running water until the water runs clear. Let the blender air dry until completely dry before storing or using again.

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WabiSabi Group is the owner of this article and was published on Apr 29, 2022 and last modified on .

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