How To Clean Makeup Brushes With Household Items

"Under the microscope, you may see the remains of mites on your brushes," reveals Lynne. "Most of us have these tiny creatures, about a third of a millimetre long, residing at the base of our eyelashes and nose hairs, living off old skin cells and sebum. They're generally considered harmless, but they may be implicated in acne."

Also, invisible to the naked eye, is "bacteria such as staphylococcus, streptococcus and e-coli, as well as fungi," says Stefanie. It sounds scary but, "the majority of these are not harmful if you have balanced skin with its natural protective acid mantle intact," reassures Lynne. Still, best no to risk it, eh?

Do some makeup brushes need more cleaning than others?

"Bacteria and fungi prefer wet to dry conditions, so foundation brushes may accumulate micro-organisms quicker than dry powder brushes," explains Stefanie. Treat brushes you use to apply liquid textures to an extra wash or wipe. "At least two to three times a week, versus once a week for powder brushes," suggests Lynne. And store brushes in a cool, dry place, preferably in their own bag. Avoid warm, damp bathrooms, where bacteria will have a party.

Synthetic brushes are the low maintenance choice – easy to clean and longer-lasting. Good quality ones should last 5-10 years. Many also offer anti-bacterial protection, like Look Good Feel Better's Anti-bacterial Brush Set, £35. Natural bristles are porous so can be more high maintenance. "They become limp and useless if not washed. As the grease builds up, the bristles are unable to blend so makeup looks patchy," says Caroline

How to clean your makeup brushes step-by-step

Our experts have shared their top advice for getting a pro-level clean, which not only will ensure beautifully hygienic brushes, it'll also improve the application.

1. Wash
"Hand wash brushes with an anti-bacterial soap or silicone-free baby shampoo in lukewarm water. Washing up liquid is acceptable only as a last resort. It strips the brushes of all grease, but it can be harsh on the natural hair long term," says Caroline. "Dip each brush individually under the running water, and then into a bowl of gentle shampoo or soap and rub gently with fingers to get a good lather for a few minutes," says makeup pro Christabel Draffin.

2. Swirl
"Hold brushes under running water, checking until there's no lather left on it. Hold for a further 2-3 seconds, ensuring they are sparkling clean," says Christabel. "If I'm in a rush, I use the Express Brush Washing Mat (£29) from Sigma. It has saved me hours of brush washing time as you swirl brushes over the tiny plastic teeth on the mat and it cleans them in at least half the time." Another clever tool? Stylpro's Brush Cleanser (£34.99). Swirl your brush in the bowl to clean, then watch it spin dry in seconds. "It's a brush cleaner's dream," says Caroline.

3. Repeat
"If there is still residue on the brush, I repeat the process. If not, I squeeze the water out of the brush and lay it flat on a towel next to the sink to dry," says Christabel. This ensures the water doesn't drain into the handle and rot the wood or remove the glue. "I also like to spray them with lavender so they smell fabulous," adds Caroline.

4. Dry
After all of the brushes are washed, I lay them in a neat row underneath the radiator (if you stack them on top of each other, they don't dry properly and smell strange - not good!)

Can I put makeup brushes in the washing machine?

Sadly, the washing machine is not an acceptable shortcut. "The heat of the machine will break down the glue that holds the brush to the handle," explains Caroline. So best to stick to the method above.

Cleaning your brushes may be one more chore to add to the weekly cleaning rota, but hey there's a winning payoff. Clean your brushes regularly, and your skin will improve.

Why stop with your brushes? Go the extra step and sanitise your whole makeup bag.