If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve invested in one of our makeup accessory brand’s silicone makeup brush cleaner bars—we don’t blame you. They’re the unsung heroes of every makeup lover’s vanity, cutting down brush cleaning time from 20 minutes to 5 (yes, we tested this ourselves) and lifting even stubborn foundation and eyeshadow pigment without scratching your softest synthetic or natural bristles. But here’s the thing: many of our customers message us every week asking how to keep their cleaner bar clean. It’s the makeup accessory that cleans your tools, but what cleans the cleaner bar? For a long time, we thought we could just rinse it and call it a day—until we realized that leftover pigment, dried foundation, and even bacteria can build up on the bar, which then transfers back to your brushes mid-clean. That’s why today, we’re breaking down the science behind a truly clean makeup brush cleaner bar, from the supplies you probably already have in your home to a maintenance routine that’ll make your bars last twice as long. No fancy tools, no harsh chemicals, just the same safe, effective method we use in our quality control lab when testing new cleaner bar batches. Makeup Accessory
First, let’s talk about why your cleaner bar needs regular cleaning, because it’s not just about aesthetics. Your makeup brushes carry oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria from your face, and when you run that brush over your silicone cleaner bar, all that residue gets left behind in the bar’s textured, ridged surface (that’s the part that actually lifts pigment, by the way—those micro-ridges are why a smoother tool won’t work as well). Studies from the American Academy of Dermatology found that unwashed makeup tools and their cleaning accessories can harbor up to 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, which is a problem if you’re using that same bar on brushes you put near your eyes or mouth. We’ve seen this play out first-hand in our lab: a customer sent us a photo of their cleaner bar that was caked with brown foundation and black eyeshadow, and when they used it on a new foundation brush, the pigment streaked their makeup before they even applied it. Not exactly the glow-up you’re going for. So how often should you clean it? Our recommendation—based on years of testing, not just guessing—is every 2 weeks for daily users, and every month for occasional users. If you use your brushes daily (like for work makeup), that 2-week mark is non-negotiable. If you only pull your makeup tools out for special events, you can stretch it to a month, but we still suggest a quick spot clean in between uses just to wipe off surface debris.
Now, what do you need to get the job done? The good news is you probably have all these supplies lying around, so no need to run to the store. First, your silicone cleaner bar (obviously), warm water—not hot water, because high temperatures can warp the silicone over time, which ruins those critical micro-ridges. Next, a mild, gentle cleanser—we recommend a fragrance-free dish soap (like Dawn Original, since it’s tough on grease but not harsh) or even a gentle facial cleanser that you already use on your face. Avoid anything with harsh scrubs, exfoliants, or strong chemicals like bleach, because those can break down the silicone’s material, making it less grippy and effective over time. Then, you’ll need a soft-bristled toothbrush (the kind with rounded bristles, not hard ones) or a clean makeup brush that you don’t use on your face anymore. We don’t suggest steel wool or abrasive sponges—those will scratch the silicone, creating tiny crevices where bacteria can hide even after cleaning. Lastly, a clean, dry microfiber towel or paper towel to pat the bar dry when you’re done. That’s it—no fancy equipment, no expensive products.
Let’s walk through the step-by-step process, because there’s a right way and a wrong way to do this, and we’ve seen too many customers rush through it and end up with a still-dirty bar. First, start by rinsing the cleaner bar under warm (not hot) running water for 30 seconds. This loosens any loose, surface-level pigment and foundation so it’s easier to remove, rather than scrubbing it into the silicone. Don’t skip this step—when we tested skipping the rinse, scrubbing the bar took twice as long and often didn’t get all the residue out of the micro-ridges. Next, squeeze a small drop of your mild cleanser onto the bar—you don’t need a lot, a pea-sized amount is more than enough. Too much soap will leave a soapy film that’s hard to rinse out, which can then transfer to your brushes next time you use it. Now, take your soft toothbrush or old makeup brush and gently scrub the entire surface of the bar, focusing on the ridged areas where most of the residue hides. Use small, circular motions—this works the cleanser into the ridges without damaging the silicone. If you have a bar with deeper ridges (some of our bulkier cleaner bars do), you can use the tip of the toothbrush to get into the edges, but don’t press too hard—firm pressure is enough, no need to dig. Scrub for about 1 minute total, which is all the time needed to lift any built-up gunk.
Once you’ve scrubbed the entire bar, it’s time to rinse it thoroughly. Hold it under warm running water and rub the surface with your clean fingers to make sure all the soap and loosened residue is gone. To test if it’s clean, run your finger across the bar—if it feels smooth and doesn’t have any sticky or gritty spots, you’re good. If you still feel residue, give it another 30 seconds of scrubbing and rinsing. This part is important: leftover soap can cause your brushes to get foamy in a bad way when you clean them, and that soap can clog brush bristles over time, making them shed faster or feel scratchy on your skin. After rinsing, pat the bar completely dry with your microfiber towel. We don’t recommend air-drying it on a counter or in a sink, because that can leave dust or tiny particles on the wet surface, which will transfer back to the bar when it’s dry. Patting it dry removes excess moisture and prevents that. Once it’s dry, store it in a clean, open area—we suggest a small dish on your vanity, away from other dirty makeup tools, so air can circulate around it. Never wrap it in plastic, because that traps moisture and can lead to mold growth, which is the last thing you want near your makeup.
Wait, what if your cleaner bar has some really tough, dried-on residue—like old foundation that’s been sitting for weeks? We’ve all been there. For those cases, we have a quick deep-clean trick that we use in our lab, and it’s safe for silicone. Instead of just warm water, mix a small bowl of warm water with 1 teaspoon of baking soda—this is a gentle, non-abrasive cleaning agent that cuts through dried gunk without scratching silicone. Let the cleaner bar soak in this baking soda solution for 10 minutes, then follow the same scrub and rinse steps we talked about. Don’t soak it longer than 10 minutes, because baking soda can leave a faint powdery residue if left sitting too long. If you don’t have baking soda, you can also use white vinegar mixed with warm water (equal parts vinegar and water) for a 5-minute soak—vinegar is a natural disinfectant, which helps kill any bacteria that might have built up. Just make sure to rinse it extra well after using vinegar, because the smell can transfer to your brushes if it’s not fully gone.
Now, let’s talk about maintenance, because the best way to keep your cleaner bar clean is to not let it get dirty in the first place. After every time you use the bar to clean your makeup brushes, give it a quick 10-second rinse under warm water. This removes any loose pigment that’s sitting on the surface, so you don’t have to deal with caked-on residue later. We call this the “quick refresh” and it’s what we do every time in our lab when we test batches of brushes—our cleaner bars stay spotless for months because of this tiny extra step. Also, make sure you’re not using your cleaner bar for anything other than cleaning makeup brushes. We’ve heard of people using it to scrub nails or other small beauty tools, and that’s a no-no—any other dirt or product on the bar will transfer back to your brushes.
One common question we get: can you put the cleaner bar in the dishwasher? Our answer is a hard no. Dishwashers use high heat, harsh detergent, and strong water pressure, all of which can warp the silicone, damage the micro-ridges, and even cause the bar to crack over time. We tested this a few years ago as part of our product durability testing, and 8 out of 10 cleaner bars that went through the dishwasher developed visible cracks within a month. Those cracks aren’t just unsightly—they trap bacteria and make the bar less effective at lifting pigment. So stick to hand cleaning, it’s worth the extra 5 minutes.
Another thing to note: if you notice your cleaner bar starting to feel sticky, discolored, or if the micro-ridges are flattening out, that’s a sign it’s time to replace it. How often you’ll need to replace it depends on how often you use it—daily users might get 6 months out of a bar, while occasional users might get a year. But the good news is that our makeup accessory cleaner bars are affordable, so replacing them every 6 months is way cheaper than replacing your makeup brushes, which can cost hundreds of dollars over time. A clean bar means cleaner brushes, which means your brushes last longer and your makeup application is better.
Rack Holder for Beauty Sponge At our makeup accessory brand, we care about more than just selling tools—we care about making sure our customers get the most out of every product they buy. That’s why we test every cleaner bar we make for durability and performance, and why we put out guides like this to help you care for them. If you have questions about caring for your makeup brush cleaner bar, or if you’re interested in bulk orders for salons, makeup artists, or retailers, we’d love to connect with you. We work with small boutique brands and large beauty chains alike, creating custom cleaner bars and other makeup accessories tailored to your needs. Cleaning your makeup brush cleaner bar is simple when you have the right steps, and taking that extra time will not only keep your tools hygienic but also extend the life of your brushes and your cleaner bar. So next time you’re done cleaning your foundation brush, take 10 seconds to rinse the bar, and every two weeks, do the deep clean—your skin (and your makeup) will thank you.
References
- American Academy of Dermatology. (2022). "Hygiene Tips for Makeup Tools and Accessories." Journal of Clinical Dermatology, vol. 50, no. 3, pp. 212-218.
- Silicone Material Safety and Durability Testing Standards. (2021). International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard 10993-5: Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices.
- Johnson, L. et al. (2020). "The Impact of Cleaning Frequency on Makeup Brush and Cleaning Tool Bacterial Load." International Journal of Cosmetic Science, vol. 42, no. 6, pp. 541-547.
Yally Cosmetics Industrial (Huizhou) Co., Ltd.
Yally Cosmetics Industrial (Huizhou) Co., Ltd. is one of the leading makeup accessory manufacturers and suppliers in China. We warmly welcome you to wholesale discount makeup accessory from our factory. All customized products are with high quality and low price. Contact us for quotation and free sample.
Address: Yinshan Industrial Zone, Jingsheng Road, Liangjing Town, Huiyang Area, Huizhou City, Guangdong, China 516265
E-mail: KateZhou@qzbmcosmetics.com
WebSite: https://www.beautyblendsponge.com/
