How to Clean Your BeautyBlender (or Other Makeup Sponge)
Hold your sponge under running water until it expands in size.
Step 2: Work in Your Soap
If you’re using a liquid soap, squeeze some directly on the sponge and work it in by massaging with your fingers, or up against the palm of your hand to break up makeup. If you’re using a bar soap, rub the sponge directly on the soap to work up a lather. Beautyblender makes specialty liquid and bar soap, but many pros also swear by dish soap for a less expensive option.
Step 3: Rinse
After the sponge is nice and soapy, rinse it out under running water. Make sure to gently squeeze it while you do so, so no soap gets stuck inside.
Method 2: Clean Your Makeup Sponge in a Soak
If you’re sponge is really dirty—we’re talking can’t remember what color it was when you bought it—then it could benefit from soaking a little longer. This method is a favorite of celebrity makeup artist Kathy Jeung.
Step 1: Prepare Your Soap Bath
Either in your (clean) sink or a small bowl, mix up some water and liquid soap. If you’re extra worried about killing bacteria, boil some water and use that.
Step 2: Soak
Place your sponge in the mixture, and let it sit for a few minutes. This will loosen and break up the makeup, according to Jeung.
Step 3: Spot Clean and Dry
After time’s up, give your sponge a few squeezes to squish the soap solution through. Add a little more soap to any areas that need some extra love, and massage it on your palm. Then, thoroughly rinse under warm running water.
Method 3: Clean Your Makeup Sponge in the Washing Machine
This method is great for aspiring makeup artists, or those of us who have multiple sponges on hand. By tossing them in the washing machine, it’s super easy for you, it just takes having enough sponges to make it worth it.
Step 1: Gather Materials