How To Clean Makeup Sponges And Beauty Blenders Without Ruining Them

If you have ever used a makeup sponge, you have probably noticed that it happily drinks up your foundation, concealer and liquid blush. The real question is what happens to all of that product once it soaks in and sits there day after day.

In this guide I tested several popular methods for washing makeup sponges so you do not have to. You will see which one actually got my sponges clean, which viral tricks flopped, and how to keep both your skin and base looking fresh.

Clean tools pair beautifully with clean formulas. When your sponges and brushes are fresh, your base applies more evenly and your hydrating lipstick for dry lips and favorite gluten free lip gloss can really shine without competing with a patchy foundation underneath.

Why a Clean Makeup Sponge Matters

A makeup sponge lives in a perfect little storm of dampness, warmth and leftover makeup. Over time it collects oil, dead skin cells, foundation pigments and anything it picked up from your face or makeup bag. That build up can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, streaky application and a musty smell.

If you are already taking care of your skin and lips with gentle products like lip care for dry lips or ultra soothing Rallye Balm, it makes sense to pair that effort with clean tools. You want your sponge to help your routine, not sabotage it.

How Often Should You Wash Makeup Sponges?

Ideally you should give your sponge a quick wash after every use, especially if you are using it with liquid or cream products. At the very least, try not to go more than two or three uses without washing. If you struggle with breakouts or have very sensitive skin, more often is better.

I also like to give sponges a slightly deeper clean about once a week. Think of it as laundry day for your beauty tools, right alongside your vegan makeup brushes and your favorite vegan blush brush.

Best Method: Hand Washing With Soap And Warm Water

After trying all the popular tricks, good old fashioned hand washing came out on top. It was simple, fast and my sponges actually looked and felt clean again.

• Wet the sponge thoroughly with warm water until it puffs up.
• Apply a little mild liquid soap or baby shampoo directly to the sponge.
• Massage and squeeze the sponge under running water until the suds turn from tinted to mostly clear.
• Keep going until the water runs clear and you no longer see makeup coming out.
• Press the sponge in a clean towel to remove excess water, then set it in an open, airy spot to dry completely.

For me this method was the fastest of all the options and felt the most thorough. I could literally see the foundation rinsing away and feel the sponge get lighter and softer again.

While your sponges are drying, it is the perfect moment to pamper your lips with a quick polish using the Lip Exfoliate Stick followed by a nourishing layer of Rallye Balm. Your base tools and your lips get a reset at the same time.

Deep Clean Your Dirty Sponge By Soaking It

People often recommend giving very dirty sponges a bath in a bowl or sink full of warm, soapy water. While this method did work, I did not find it dramatically better than the hand wash routine above.

To try this deep clean method, I filled a bowl with warm to hot water and added a few drops of a mild, baby style liquid soap. I dropped the dirty sponges into the bath and let them soak for a few minutes, squeezing them a few times so the soapy water could work through the center.

After soaking, I rinsed each sponge under running water while squeezing and pressing out the product. Most of the melted makeup ended up in the bowl instead of on my face, which is always a win. I then pressed them in a towel and let them air dry on a clean surface.

If you are washing several sponges at once, a soak can feel a little easier on your hands. For everyday use though, I still prefer the quick hand wash above.

Microwave Method Plus Dish Soap

The microwave trick is one of those ideas that sounds brilliant on the internet: put your sponge into a microwave safe cup with water and soap, heat it up, and let the hot water do the work for you. Sadly, this one did not live up to the hype for me.

I followed the common suggestion: place the dirty sponge in a microwave safe cup filled with water and a little liquid soap, heat it for about a minute, then wait until the water cools before fishing it out. After all that, I still had to squeeze and rinse just as much as before.

Once the water was safe to touch, I gave the sponge a squeeze and could see foundation still pouring out. In the end it took more time and did not get the sponge any cleaner than a straightforward hand wash, so this method is a pass from me.

Washing Makeup Sponges In a Washing Machine

The idea of tossing a whole pile of sponges into the washing machine sounds appealing, especially for makeup artists. Some instructions say to put them into a mesh bag, add a little mild detergent and let your machine do the scrubbing for you.

I used a front loading washer with a gentle detergent and a bra bag to keep everything together. I cringed a bit watching all that water go down the drain, and when the cycle was finished my sponges looked almost exactly the same as when they went in.

To make a real difference, they still needed manual squeezing to push the makeup out. A washing machine simply cannot mimic the squeeze-and-release motion that dislodges product from the center of the sponge.

Interestingly, our social media manager Ashley once accidentally washed her sponge along with a full load of clothes and it came out much cleaner. The extra friction from fabric may help, but personally I would rather not have foundation floating around with my laundry.

For the sake of your clothes and your water bill, I would skip this method and stick with a sink, a little soap and your hands.

Wear And Tear From Washing Your Sponges

Yes, washing does wear sponges out over time. For this test I used three brand new sponges plus one older sponge I already had. By the time I finished trying all four cleaning methods, the cheaper sponges were beat up enough that I felt comfortable tossing them.

I noticed a lot of tiny surface tears and a few larger ones, especially on budget friendly sponges. The very inexpensive set from a plastic case also stayed damp in the center for days and took a long time to shrink back to its original size.

I would recommend sticking with brands you know and trust and planning to replace your sponge about every three months or sooner if it smells off, will not come clean, or develops deep cracks. Your skin is worth that little upgrade.

Refresh The Rest Of Your Routine While You Are At It

Once you are in cleaning mode, it is the perfect time to give the rest of your routine a little love. Wash those vegan makeup brushes, wipe down your compacts, and toss any formulas that are past their prime.

On big clean out days I like to reset my look with skin loving essentials: a smooth eye base using Prime Time Eye Primer, a couple of talc free eyeshadows for sensitive eyes, a coat of Lash Project Mascara, a soft flush from talc free blush for sensitive skin or Sundrop Bronzer, and a comfortable lip from the perfect duos collection.

If you are curious to test colors before committing, you can always play with lipstick samples or build out a custom eye wardrobe using the customize your eye shadow palette tool and the full eyes collection.

FAQs

How often should I replace my makeup sponge?

Most people do well replacing a sponge every three months. If yours smells odd, stays stained even after a deep clean, or has deep tears that trap product, it is time for a new one sooner.

What kind of soap is safest to use on makeup sponges?

A mild, fragrance free liquid soap, gentle facial cleanser, or baby shampoo usually works very well. Avoid harsh cleansers that leave a residue, and rinse until the water runs completely clear.

Is it ok if my sponge looks slightly stained after washing?

A little staining is normal, especially with long wear foundations. As long as the water runs clear, the sponge no longer feels slimy, and it dries without an odor, it is likely clean enough. When in doubt, replace it.

Can I use these methods on my makeup brushes too?

Yes, the same gentle soap and warm water approach works on brushes. Swirl your vegan makeup brushes in soapy water, rinse well, and reshape the bristles before laying them flat to dry.

Do I really need to avoid the microwave or washing machine tricks?

You are the boss of your own tools, but in my testing both methods took extra time and still required lots of manual squeezing. A simple hand wash gave me cleaner sponges with less effort and less risk of damage.

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