r/MakeupAddiction • u/hayleekitty69 • 1d ago
Discussion How do you all actually clean your beauty blenders? I feel like mine is never fully clean no matter what I do.
I’ve watched so many tutorials on how to clean beauty blenders, but mine never seems to come out fully clean no matter what I do. I’ve tried dish soap, baby shampoo, oil cleansers, micellar water, you name it. I even tried the microwave hack a couple of times (scary but fun lol). They always look kind of clean afterward, but when I squeeze them, I still see product coming out or they still look stained.
Is there some trick I’m missing? Do you guys fully clean yours every time or just replace them regularly once they start looking gross? I’m trying to avoid tossing them too fast because they’re not cheap, but I also don’t want to be using something that’s secretly a bacteria sponge 😅
Curious what methods actually work best for you, especially if you’ve found something that gets rid of the stains without totally destroying the sponge. Appreciate any tips!
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u/jtick08 1d ago
Dawn power wash. It does a much better job than regular dish soap. I use it for all my brushes too.
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u/rubygood 1d ago
I wash my brushes with baby shampoo. But I wash my blenders with UK version of dawn (fairy washing up liquid) and it brings them up like new
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u/Grand_Measurement_91 1d ago
Washing machine
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u/Cats_and_wine 1d ago
do they not disintegrate?
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u/Dolbyjean 1d ago
Nope. I wash mine in a laundry bag so they don't get caught in clothes.
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u/Cats_and_wine 1d ago
thats so amazing to know. thank you! i will try that :)
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u/Actual_Swingset 1d ago
just make sure your detergent's ingredients are things you want on your face (if youre sensitive skinned)
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u/copperkarat 1d ago
Same. I bought some make up erasers at Costco and it came with two face sponges and a little plastic ball cage to throw them in the washer. I do it with my beauty blender and other brands too and it works amazingly
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u/secretrebel 1d ago
I have those cages! I had no idea they could go in the washing machine! Genius!
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u/windchill90 1d ago
Same. I throw mine in a laundry bag with my reusable face pads in a load of towels on hot water and no fabric softener. ETA - I wash them once a week.
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u/purple_hope1 1d ago
Same, I put them in a small washing bag with my towels washing cycle (high heat) and they come out clean.
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u/midnightsiren182 1d ago
I use Dr. Bronner’s Castille soap and it works really well
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u/TasteRevolutionary15 1d ago
do you put the soap straight on the sponge? or dissolve it in water first? orrrr
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u/ASueB 22h ago
Yep I suggested this before I read thru the responses. It works great on sponges
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u/midnightsiren182 18h ago
Yeah I use it for my brushes too with a silicon brush cleansing pad thing and works a charm
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u/goosepills 1d ago
Zote soap bar is the only thing I’ve ever used that actually cleans beauty blenders. You can use it for everything.
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u/Skeptical_optomist 1d ago
Yep, this and a silicone mat that's for cleaning brushes and sponges. I can get all stains out this way too.
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u/Forsaken_Broccoli_86 1d ago
This - I came here to give the same opinion. Its the only thing I use for my beauty blenders and brushes
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u/disgirl4eva 1d ago
I can get it to run clear with bar soap but the stains never go away. Honestly now that I’ve found the Paw Paw sponges on Amazon I just get a new one every month. Doing that a bag of sponges lasts about a year. I think they are $10.
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u/princessyuki999 Hopelessly Addicted 1d ago
If you buy bulk from shopmissA they actually donate to the dog donations! I heard Amazon purchases don’t donate
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u/Hoe4PopCulture 1d ago
This is going to sound so gross but I…….dont go out of my way to wash mine. When I go to wet my makeup sponge, I’ll wring out the excess water into a towel, which ends up getting rid of the makeup on the surface. Now, does that actually get rid of bacteria? NOPE. But for me that’s enough 🥲 and then I’ll just purchase a new one when I feel like it’s time
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u/deadhead_girlie 1d ago
My face is way too sensitive to anything and everything to do this, but go off girl
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u/No-Conclusion-1394 1d ago
Me who hasn’t cleaned her brush in years and is still looking good
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u/Hoe4PopCulture 1d ago
Me with my eyeshadow brushes 👀 they always say you need to use a clean brush to get a good blend but I just swirl it on my hand and then switch colors. Works for me! I get lots of compliments on my eye looks and it’s so much less time consuming.
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u/pimpmyufo 1d ago
Well if not for blend then for prevention of bacterial growth that one day can bring eye infection/stye
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u/No-Conclusion-1394 1d ago
Hasn’t happened to me and I haven’t washed in many years but maybe I’m lucky
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u/pimpmyufo 1d ago
Thats good for you! But later on you might experience hormonal change due to natural aging, so your skin would function differently and you might start getting issues, be careful
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u/Few_Cod_5636 1d ago
I literally wash mine after every use lol, Dove soap and hot water.
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u/Difficult_Ad_7987 1d ago
I go exactly the same I've got a wee dish for drying it off Amazon
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u/Few_Cod_5636 1d ago
It’s so much more easier! I’ve done it for years so for some it might be what the hell but for me it’s normal. All liquid gets washed after every use so any foundation or concealer brushes etc and powder brushes once a week. Really helps keeps stains away.
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u/dsbmblade 1d ago
I wash mine with Dove micellar bar soap and they come out perfectly clean! Then, I heavily spray them with rubbing alcohol and squeeze them so the alcohol gets inside. Then I dry them, and they're ready for the next use.
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u/dance-9880 1d ago
I haven't used a beauty blender in ages because I feel I can never get it clean - I just use brushes.
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u/frendore 1d ago
i soak it in my facial cleanser (cosrx goodmorning gel) water runs clear after rinsing
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u/BrilliantAmount8108 1d ago
I find Dr bronners (unscented) castile soap works the best for this. Use the liquid version, douse it on the sponge, mix with water and keep squeezing till it comes out clean. That and just switching them out frequently
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u/PartyyLemons 1d ago
I soak mine in cleanser and rinse and squish it until the water runs clear. It will never get completely clean again, but I feel like that’s good enough.
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u/Confarnit 1d ago
I have about 10. I give the sponge a good rinse when I'm done with it and use it for a couple of days. When I feel like it's starting to get gross, I put it in a mesh bag next to the laundry. I wash various little things like reusable makeup rounds and headbands along with sponges in the bag - works very well and I haven't noticed the sponges disintegrating, but if they eventually do, I'll replace them.
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u/cynthia_tka 1d ago
Dr Bronners is WAY more effective for me than sulfate based cleaners like dish soap or shampoo
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u/CardiologistStreet76 1d ago
You put it, water, and dawn dish soap in a cup in the microwave for like 30-60 seconds and it seems to get out a lot more gross stuff. You just have to be careful because the sponge will stay warm for a while so take it out of the hot water and put it in a cup of new cool water to help with that.
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u/Dull_Fuel_3065 1d ago
I have like 10 and once per 2 weeks I toss them into washing machine (with dark clothes to prevent staining). I have been doing it for the year or so, and as long as I do it in low temperatures (30 degrees Celsius), they’re fine :)
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u/tomdelongethong Eyeing that Liner 1d ago
I throw it in a cup of water with dawn dish soap or makeup brush cleanser if I have it and heat it up in the microwave for like 90 seconds. In my mind, it zaps the germs. (It doesn’t, probably, but don’t break my heart)
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u/Sad_Nefariousness467 1d ago
I like washing mine in Cetaphil. It’s natural and it works very well. Just simply wash and squeeze out until clear. If your blender is beyond that, then you need to replace it.
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u/krispeekream 1d ago
I just replace them, honestly. I get a 3 pack for less than $10 and I just toss them when they get bad.
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u/AdPrize3997 1d ago
I massage with micellar water (garnier) and then let it soak for some time. Then I use an old cheap shampoo that lathers a lot and wash the sponge twice. Makes it as good as new I feel.
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u/inc0rrected 1d ago edited 1d ago
Rub on a big pink zote soap bar in your sink with water and rinse until clear.
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u/CraftyVixen1981 1d ago
I put them in a tube sock, knot the end, todd in a washer with a load of clothes and then air dry.
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u/pinkaspepe 1d ago
Replace it please, bacteria can build inside. BB are great but that’s why brushes are more hygienic and you don’t have to replace them as often.
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u/MajorPersonality1265 1d ago
I put Dawn in a bowl of water with sponges and microwave it until boiling
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u/starrieari 1d ago
I just throw mine in the washing machine. I know it’s unorthodox but the world never ended when I did it and they were always visibly clean afterwards!
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u/DiamondTippedDriller Always blushing 1d ago
Hot water and dish soap, then soak in hydrogen peroxide, then rinse well with hot water
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u/HairyLingonberry4977 1d ago
I don't get them... all the product goes into them? Am I doing it wrong? I've gone back to finger tapping into skin no waste
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u/Ok_Figure4010 1d ago
I use my hands for almost my entire makeup routine
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u/HairyLingonberry4977 1d ago
Same and I see professionals do the same sometimes. I'm no expert and maybe cos I have aging skin but there is a lot to be said for the OG tools 😀
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u/Obvious-Challenge205 1d ago
Not sure what country you're located in but Daiso sells small bottles of sponge and brush cleaners for cheap! Just run your sponge under water first and squeeze a bit of the soap, massage it around and it gets rid of the buildup so well. Sometimes might take a few washes if its really dirty
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u/NCgirlkaren 1d ago
I still use my fingers initially applying the foundation, then I spray the blender with water and tap it around my face. That way it doesn’t soak up too much of the (expensive) foundation!
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u/ASueB 22h ago
I used Bronner's soap. It's has oils in it that dissolve the makeup from sponges. I've never seen them as clean until I used this. Initially I used Bronners for removing sunscreen on my skin that is mineral and leaves that white film so I thought about it for makeup sponges. It's biodegradable also.
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u/Murky_Boysenberry796 1d ago
Don’t come for me, but I clean it when I think it’s too disgusting lol. Yes I know it’s not healthy and supposedly bad for your skin, but I’m way too lazy to clean it. Most of the time I just throw it away and grab a new one so I don’t have to clean it😅
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u/5newspapers 1d ago
I get the cheaper versions online or from Costco and then get rid of it after a week or two.
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u/karluizballer 1d ago
You don’t. I was in love with beauty sponges but once I stopped using one my acne cleared up for good
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u/AuroraLorraine522 1d ago
Girl… step away from the tik tok hacks and just buy the cleansers that are specifically formulated to clean makeup sponges.
I like Beauty Blender’s liquid. And as a bonus, your sponges will be in good condition for much longer since it doesn’t contain ingredients that are potentially breaking down the sponge material
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u/MeMeeLLC 1d ago
I periodically cut pieces of it off until it’s unusable 😬
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u/Fairydust_Mushrooms 1d ago
I tried that once but i could never make clean cuts and ended up with a beauty blender with so many uneven sides, not a flat surface. Tell me your secrets.
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u/basicwhitegirl23 1d ago edited 1d ago
beautyblender BlenderCleanser Solid Sponge and Brush Cleanser is fantastic. It’s the only cleanser that actually removes makeup stains from all beauty sponges. It’s also amazing at removing foundation and makeup from brushes. It’s so easy to use too. I’ve only used the unscented one that is white, but I’ve heard good things about the black charcoal one.
I’ve also used the e.l.f Clean Queen Solid Brush & Sponge Cleanser, and it works but it doesn’t remove the makeup stains on the sponges like the BlenderCleanser does. It also makes the texture of my sponges feel kinda weird after I use it, and it changes/fades the color of them. Since you’re wanting to remove the stains then I’d recommend the BlenderCleanser.
Edit to add: the sponges I use are the AOA PawPaw Super Soft Wonder Blender. They’re on Amazon and you get 6 sponges for $10. I’ve also used their orange sponges that are shaped like the Real Techniques sponges too, and their Mochi blenders. I just love how soft and bouncy their pink PawPaw sponges are lol
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u/floralscentedbreeze 1d ago
I use cleansing oil or cleansing balm to remove the makeup off because I wear full coverage foundation. Then, use a foaming cleanser to remove residue.
I don't like my beauty blender to stain so I wash it often
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u/yogacheryl 1d ago
Cerave Hydrating Foaming Cleansing Oil gets even silicone-based foundation and concealer out of beauty blenders and densely fibred foundation brushes. If it's super stubborn, a little bit of antibacterial dawn liquid usually helps.
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u/eatingismyvirtue 1d ago
i wash mine with hand soap after every ~3 uses and then wash with dawn when i feel like i need it (not often 😬)
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u/Ilmagagorz 1d ago
I wet them in warm water with dish soap, full effect in the microwave for a minute or two, take them out and squeeze with the help of a fork. I change water if needed and then rinse them in cold water. Take some time but is very effective
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u/victorianfollies 1d ago
I use the Real Techniques airblend dry sponges, and replace them once a month 🫣
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u/Ok_Experience7424 1d ago
I use baby soap - Johnston and Johnston cotton touch is my fav. I find it deep cleans but is still gentle and has a nice clean scent
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u/UnpaidNewscast 1d ago
I guess I'm the only one who puts it in the microwave...
*After using dish soap, and it's still wet. Not trying to start a fire lol
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u/uhhhtheeena 1d ago
Rub them in soap and then on a silicon pad. Rinse and squeeze. Redo until the water comes out clean
U just need to keep doingbit
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u/LadderAlice107 1d ago
I wash mine before every use. Bar soap has always been my favorite. Dawn is amazing but it takes me a while to get it to rinse clean without bubbles. And some bar soaps leave a weird residue behind. Olay and Dove always worked. But now I use Zote. I get the huge bar for a dollar and it lasts me almost a year. It CLEANS the hell out of my blender and rinses clear very quickly. No weird residue, doesn’t dry out the sponge. My sponges can last me up to 6 months, sometimes more.
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u/Ccallahan011 1d ago
Every other week I set it in a cup with dawn and water to soak and then I squeeze until the water runs clear. I use a new pouf after 3 or 4 washes. I use MissA’s sponges
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u/Innie-or-Outie 1d ago
Honestly, the best and only soap I’ve used to get them clean is the beauty blender brand soap. I’ve tried everything and nothing works better in my opinion.
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u/Jordennn Youtube: JordenMakeup 1d ago
I use the Elf solid sponge cleanser! Beauty blender makes a solid cleanser too, but I find the elf one works just as well for me (and is way cheaper!)
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u/CoatNo6454 1d ago
eco tools brush and sponge shampoo. wet it. place the soap directly on the sponge especially the stains. mush it in, scrubbing it with your palm so it lathers. press the makeup out with your fingers. rinse and repeat. add a tiny more shampoo directly to stubborn spots. make sure you rinse it really well till the soap is gone. let air dry.
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u/jadedtortoise 1d ago
I always used shampoo. I squish it in, rinse, repeat until the makeup stops coming out
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u/akamekills02 1d ago
Use 2 paper towels to dry put Beauty blenders in dish soap switch between washing under water and squeezing soap out until the water is out clean.
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u/numberthangold 1d ago
I wash mine with the Sephora deep clean brush cleaner or whatever it’s called and it does a good enough job for me.
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u/kimchijjigaex 1d ago
i've used them for years (also morphe, real techniques, too) and i always dip in some olive oil. roll it in my hands so it gets coated, then squeeze until i get most of the foundation to stop coming out. next, dip in soap - i either use dish soap or a bar of soap - and do a few rinses til it rinses clean. been tried and true method for years.
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u/Kind-Exchange5325 1d ago
I wash with my face wash (I use a cheap generic kind, so it’s not unreasonable). Do 2-3 cycles of rinsing, soaping, repeating. Works great
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u/proletariat2 1d ago
I put all mine in a washing bag and wash them in my washing machine. So easy.
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u/littleblackcat 1d ago
Yes this is it for me too, I just wash them with the laundry
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u/proletariat2 1d ago
They come out like brand new! Wish I had come across this hack years ago haha
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u/littleblackcat 1d ago
It feels like a lazy hack but it works so much better than all this soaking them in dishsoap or whatever 🥴
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u/Ok_Vast9816 1d ago
Dawn and hot water but still replace frequently The Real Techniques are excellent, come in packs, and are cost effective
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u/K-Sparkle8852 1d ago
I wash my sponge before I use it with dove bar soap. And I also buy the paw paw sponges from Amazon, no more $$ on beauty blender for me!
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u/tinylittleleaf 1d ago
I clean my immediately after using with hot water and face wash, wash until the water runs clear and ring it out. I only buy the cheap ones, and replace when it gets manky; figuring it's like a kitchen sponge, they're not meant to last forever.
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u/maximusriggs 1d ago
Zote laundry bar soap! My brushes and sponges have never been so clean, and the bar is huge.
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u/This_Sheepherder_332 1d ago
Thank you for asking this question!! Always been one of mine as well!!
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u/Merlinaramos 1d ago
One two months after using it, does not matter if I wash in in between I change it, if you cut it you will see the dirt inside. I just buy a bag of cheapers one , they do same job for me.
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u/Specialist_Guitar166 1d ago
I wash it immediately after using it with Palmolive Free & Clear dishwashing liquid. If a foundation stain on the Beauty Blender is stubborn, I have some Beauty Blender solid cleanser that I’ll use.. Zote soap is good too.
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u/barbiesergio 1d ago
I use medical grade body wash microbial like you wash before an operation. Hibecleanse
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u/dancer15 1d ago
I put a bit of Dawn dish soap in my palm and then rub my (wet) beauty blender around in the soap, squeeze/wring out the foundation from the beauty blender, rinse, and repeat until foundation stops coming out when I squeeze. It takes a minute but they're always nice and clean afterwards!
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u/LoweredGuide331 1d ago
I used to always use baby shampoo, but it takes forever.. Now I soak it in micellar water once a week after use, over and over til it comes clean
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u/Dratinihastakenlives 1d ago
I recently got Sephora’s deep cleaning brush and sponge shampoo. Admittedly I’m really bad at cleaning brushes among other things, I don’t use makeup as much as I used to. This week I went through all of my brushes and my usual makeup sponge and use the brush cleaner and warm water, and the first thing I cleaned was my sponge which I’ve had for probably at least a year and never cleaned. I used warm water and kept adding more cleaner, squishing the old product out, letting the water run clean, and repeat. I probably spent at least 10 minutes cleaning it, but finally the sponge (which I believe was a Real Techniques beauty blender) returned to its original color, had no more soap suds, and no more old product to lose. I was so impressed with how it looked afterwards and plan to clean all of my application supplies weekly from here on out!
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u/AdministrativeAnt389 1d ago
Ultrasonic cleaning device, it is satisfying to watch everything getting clean.
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u/MidUser3001 1d ago
I wash it with soap everytime I use it and after sometimes and sometimes if it gets yuck I just cut the bits off idk,
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u/False_Illustrator580 1d ago
I soak mine in olive oil, warm water, and dawn dish soap. Then again, with just dish soap and warm water. The oil lossens and removes the product.
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u/sharedimagination 1d ago
I bought The Original MakeUp Eraser MakeUp Sponge and it came with a machine washball. So mine go in the ball and into my usual wash in the washing machine every week for a good clean. I wash by hand with soap and warm water after every use so nothing tends to build up in it. They last a really long time doing it this way too.
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u/danceswithturtles286 1d ago
I first use coconut oil only and drench it. Then I use laundry detergent and water and it comes out completely clean
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u/nguellec 1d ago
I have several and at the end of the week I put them in the washing machine in a mesh bag with napkins and face towels
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u/Ill-Win-3604 1d ago
Girl, same 😩 I soak mine in warm water with dish soap and olive oil works wonders, Still a lil stained, but as long as it’s clean and not funky, I keep it. Once it smells weird? Trash 😅🧽✨
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u/Tonibop75 23h ago
TBH- the cheap white bar soap by Dial. Has to be the white bar, and has to be the brand Dial. That’s the only thing that works unless you want to pay the high price tag for the Beauty Blender sponge cleaner. In my opinion the bar soap Beauty Blender works better than the liquid. But I’m telling you, go to the dollar store, buy a travel soap dish and a bar of white Dial soap for $2 that lasts about 3 months daily use vs Beauty Blender Bar $15 lasts about a month daily use…. You decide. And no, the cheaper one doesn’t ruin your sponge!
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u/Pure-Potential7433 22h ago
Bar soap for everyday, then a drop of Dawn in this vibrating brush cleaner machine I bought online.
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u/in-queso-emergency-3 1d ago
I can’t use beauty blenders for that reason…I’m pretty strict about only using clean things on my face! I get a big pack of foam makeup wedges from Amazon, use them once, and toss them. Not the most environmentally-friendly, but at least they’re cheap!
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u/Last_Coat_4132 1d ago
I use beauty blender and the orange real techniques ones. I might clean them once but generally throw em away and open a new one when needed. I use them to blend out my tinted mineral sunscreen
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u/Puzzleheaded_Newt185 1d ago edited 1d ago
I rub it on a random bar soap immediately after using, no waiting til tomorrow.