The Right Way To Clean All Your Beauty Tools

You might know how to wash your makeup brushes but trust us, you’re using plenty of other tools that grow just as much bacteria. From your facial-cleansing device to your blow-dryer, these beauty staples also need the occasional scrub session and we’re showing you the correct way to do it. Because there’s nothing that can kill the mood more than icky germs and bacteria.

Clean Up Your Act

Blow-Dryer

In case you didn't know, not cleaning your blow-dryer is a big deal. Dust, hair and product gets sucked into the back filter which can clog it and cause overheating.

Clean it: Open the back cover and use a Q-tip to remove any buildup on the filter.

Facial-Cleaning Device

Sure, you wash your face every day–but if you're using a dirty brush to do it, what's the point?

Clean it: Dish soap works wonders for cutting through grease and buildup. Remove the brush head and work a few drops of soap into the bristles and rinse. With a toothbrush, scrub the back of the brush to remove bacteria that gets trapped here.

Makeup Sponge

These sponges soak up so much product and oil. It's important to thoroughly clean these every time you use them.

Clean it: Wet the sponge until it's completely soaked. Swirl it around on a solid cleansing balm and massage until it gets foamy. Rinse and repeat until the water runs clear.

Hot Tools

Hot tools get especially dirty because they collect product and oils from your hair at a high temperature. This bakes on bacteria, which makes it harder to remove.

Clean it: Once your flatiron or curling wand has cooled, use a wet towel and baking soda to scrub off buildup. You'll be surprised how much better it looks and works.

Hair Brush

Just like hot tools, hairbrushes collect so much oil, product and hair. A weekly clean makes them work so much better.

Clean it: Use a brush-cleaning tool or a wide-tooth comb to rake through the bristles and remove hair buildup. Fill your sink with warm water and a few drops of clarifying shampoo to make a sudsy bubble bath for your brushes. Rinse and lay flat to dry.

Makeup Brushes

A weekly deep clean removes oils, dead skin cells, old makeup, dust and harmful bacteria that gets trapped between bristles.

Clean it: Work a few drops of antibacterial dish soap, baby shampoo or clarifying shampoo into a wet brush and rinse with lukewarm water. Scrub brushes on a silicone cleaning matt to give brushes an even deeper clean.