How to Clean Makeup Sponges

Makeup sponges need to be washed more often than you might think, whether yours is a Beautyblender (or a similarly shaped knockoff) or an old-school wedge.

“Just as kitchen sponges can become a reservoir for bacteria, so can makeup sponges,” said Dr. Alison Ehrlich, a dermatologist at Foxhall Dermatology in Washington, DC. Beautyblender suggests washing after every use.

Ehrlich recommends that people who wear makeup switch to single-use makeup sponge applicators for hygienic purposes. But if you prefer using a reusable sponge, plan on cleaning it at least once a week and switching to a backup sponge if the one you’re using accidentally falls to the floor.

Like cleaning makeup brushes, cleaning makeup sponges is quick and easy: Waiting for them to dry is the longest part.

Wet and lather

Makeup-cleansing sprays and wipes don’t fully clean sponges. You have to use soap and water. Place dirty sponges in a bowl full of lukewarm to warm water mixed with a few drops of liquid soap, and use your hands to vigorously work the soapy water into each of the sponges individually for at least 15 seconds per sponge. Though you can buy brand-specific sponge cleanser, it’s not required—regular shampoo or soap work perfectly fine for cleaning makeup sponges. “Liquid soap can remove oils from both skin and makeup,” said Ehrlich. In our testing, Dial liquid soap and Dr. Bronner’s unscented liquid castile soap was equally effective. Start sparingly with the soap and add more as needed, as excess soap residue can be difficult to remove from a makeup sponge.

Rinse and (if necessary) repeat

Rinse the sudsed-up sponge in lukewarm running water until it runs clear. If after multiple squeezes you still see makeup residue draining from the washed sponge, repeat the lathering process. Note that stains on the surface of the sponge are normal; as long as the water runs clear when you rinse the sponge, it’s clean.

Squeeze, blot, and dry

After a few final squeezes to get as much water out as possible, blot the sponge with a paper towel and let it air-dry. We like to dry and store clean sponges in these purpose-built holders, which are a convenient upgrade from balancing drying sponges on a counter or shelf and having to rotate them so that all sides dry fully.

Sponges can take up to a few days to fully dry after washing. That’s why it’s a good idea to have multiple sponges in rotation, suggested makeup brush designer Tim Casper, so you always have a clean one handy. If you’ve invested in multiple sponges, you might consider batch-washing all the used ones weekly, using the following lather-rinse-squeeze method.

This article was edited by Tracy Vence and Kalee Thompson.