For this year’s spring cleaning, why not start with your makeup brushes? Brushes can trap dirt, oil and bacteria, leading to clogged pores, breakouts and eye infections. Plus, neglecting them for long periods of time can shorten their lifespan significantly. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the best way to clean your makeup brushes, protect your face and prolong your beauty investment.

You’ll first need a spray-on brush cleaner. Each time you use your makeup brushes, give them a quick spritz with brush cleaner and wipe them gently with a tissue or back and forth on a paper towel. This will help keep your brushes fresh and make deep cleaning easier. We like glo minerals Brush Cleaner, a simple formula that contains a number of plant extracts to help cleanse and condition bristles without irritating skin.

Once a week, dedicate a little time for a deeper cleaning. You’ll need a small, shallow bowl, brush shampoo and a cloth.

1. Wet each of your brushes with warm water, concentrating on the bristles and avoiding the handle.

2. Next, fill the bowl with warm water and a little brush shampoo. We recommend jane iredale Truly Pure Shampoo & Conditioner.

3. Swirl your brush bristles carefully in the bowl, and then work up a gentle lather on your palm if you wish.

4. Rinse your brush under cool running water until it runs clear.

You may need to re-mold the brush bristles. Do this gently until the brush resembles its original shape. To dry brushes, spread out a lint-free cloth such as a hand towel or paper towel and lay brushes flat. Never put brushes upright in a canister, as this can cause water to run into the base of the brush head and break down the glue that is holding it together. Allow your brushes to dry for at least a few hours or overnight.

Be sure to check out our makeup brushes guide so you can get the right brush for all your needs. Do you have a question about cleaning makeup brushes? Let us know in the comments section.