How to clean makeup brushes with castile soap?

Synthetic brushes typically take at least overnight or even longer to dry. The density of the bristles affects how much water the brush holds, which directly impacts drying time.

After washing your brush, make sure to shake off the excess water. I usually do this over the bathtub so I can shake it with more force without splashing water everywhere like I would by the sink.

Then, I use a clean, dry towel to gently sweep the bristles. Don’t scrub—just sweep the brush back and forth a few times to absorb some moisture from the bristles. After that, reshape the brush and lay it flat on a towel to dry. These steps usually help my brushes dry a bit faster.

My Favorite Brush Cleanser: Castile Soap

I’ve tried using baby shampoo, regular shampoo, face cleanser, dish soap, and even store-bought brush cleansers—but over the years, Castile soap has become my favorite.

It’s natural, economical, and doesn’t leave me feeling like I’m coating my brushes with chemicals. I always buy Dr. Bronner’s from Whole Foods—especially when it’s on sale. I recommend the unscented light blue bottle, which is gentle enough for babies. 

How I Clean My Makeup Brushes with Castile Soap

1. Dissolve a few drops of Castile soap in a small bowl of water. Don't apply soap directly to the brush—it takes forever to rinse out that way.
2. Swirl your brush in the soapy water until the makeup starts coming off.
3. Rinse thoroughly under running water.
4. Repeat if necessary—especially for foundation brushes that hold a lot of product or used with full coverage foundations. I usually wash those twice to remove all the buildup

How to Clean Lip and Eye Liner Brushes

Lip and eyeliner brushes often have waxy residue that doesn’t come off easily with the regular makeup brush cleaning technique. 

Here’s what I do:

1. Add 1–2 drops of Castile soap into the palm of your hand.
2. Gently work the brush into the castile soap until the product on your brush dissolves.
3. Rinse thoroughly and lay flat to dry. Repeat as necessary