5 Best Brush Cleaners for Everyday Use

Did you know there were so many different types of brush cleaners? We sure didn’t — at least not until we tested every kind of brush cleaner you can imagine. From luxurious spas for your makeup brushes to simple scrubbing pads and gentle cleansing compounds, we’ve gathered our favorite picks to help you choose the right cleaner for you. We’ll tell you which product is the most environmentally friendly, and which one will take the least amount of your time. There are even options for artsy creatives who are looking to clean their paint brushes. Whether you are on a budget or looking to splurge, we can promise there’s a perfect brush cleaning option out there for you.

Cinema Secrets Professional Makeup Cleaner

Best Deep Clean

If it’s been an embarrassing amount of time since you’ve cleaned your brushes, this is the product for you.

The deepest clean

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We tested the Cinema Secrets Professional Makeup Cleaner on 15 of our oldest brushes. The product lifted all the dirt and grime right off with very little elbow grease. Although the product is a bit more expensive than some of the other options on the market, a little bit of cleaner went a long way — so, in our opinion, the deep clean you get from this cleaner is absolutely worth it.

Pros:

Very easy to use
Deep, total clean
Little bit of product goes a long way

Cons:

A bit pricey

EcoTools Makeup Brush Cleansing Shampoo

Best for the Environment

If you’re looking for a way to clean your makeup brushes while taking care of the environment, this shampoo is the ideal choice.

Most Eco-Friendly

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From one of the top names in vegan beauty products comes this high-quality, all natural cleansing shampoo. We ran a few tests on this product using old, dirty makeup brushes, and the shampoo really got down deep and removed all the dirt and grime. Because the shampoo is made without a perfume, it didn’t leave our makeup brushes with any kind of chemical scent. And, we rested easy knowing that our purchase of this cleanser went toward a 100% cruelty-free product. When it comes down to the nuts and bolts of cleaning, this shampoo is a top performer.

Pros:

Vegan, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly
Affordable
Great for a deep cleaning

Cons:

Lack of scent may be a problem for those who like perfumed cleaners

General Pencil Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver

Best for art brushes

Custom-made to clean all your oil painting supplies, this cleaning compound will have your brushes looking brand new.

Best compound

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We came at the General Pencil Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver with several old, crusty paint brushes, and by the time they were done soaking, they looked brand new. We’re talking smooth, silky bristles and not a speck of dirt in sight. The product does have a strong lemon scent, so if you don’t like the smell of fresh lemon, it may not be for you. It’s also priced well, making it an ideal choice for all budgets — whether you’re an art student or a professional painter.

Pros:

Easy to use
Refreshes stiff bristles
Affordable

Cons:

Strong lemon scent

Luxe Adjustable Makeup Brush Cleaner

Quickest way to clean

Pull out all the stops with this luxurious, automatic brush cleaner.

Most convenient

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The best thing about the Luxe makeup cleaning set? It’s almost completely hands-off. This package comes with a convenient bowl and brush holder so you can set your brushes down and walk away while they clean. We went ahead and timed how long it took this cleaner to take our brushes from dirty to clean, and it blew all the other products out of the water. It’s a bit pricey, but we think the time you save will make the price tag worth it.

Pros:

Hands-free cleaning system
Easy to use
Very quick

Cons:

Price

Ranphykx Portable Scrubber

The hands-free cleaning mat

The Ranphykx Portable Scrubber gave us the convenience we didn’t know we needed.

Best in innovation

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This little cleaning mat has suction cups that allowed it to sit right inside our sink for an easy, hands-free cleaning experience. We had our entire team bring out every makeup brush in their stash to test this one, and the mat held up. One of the great benefits to using a cleaning mat is that you have both hands free to hold the brushes, which makes the process go a lot faster, especially if you’re a fashionista with a large brush collection. Be aware that the mat does not come with any shampoo or cleaning product, so you will have to purchase that separately. Thankfully, though, the mat is very affordable. It will clean areas of your brushes that you didn’t even know existed.

Pros:

Durable
Convenient design
Ridges dig deeper than an ordinary cleaning product

Cons:

Purchase cleaning product separately

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean my makeup brushes?

It really depends on how often you use them. For brushes that you use everyday, aim to clean them once a week. If you only use the brush once or twice, try to clean it at least once a month. If you’re in doubt, take a look at the bristles. Are they discolored or sticking together? That means it’s probably time for a wash.

How do you deep clean makeup brushes?

To deep clean your makeup brushes, purchase a deep-cleaning shampoo or cleansing compound. Clean the brush using water and product, then use a microfiber cloth or soft towel to pat the brushes dry. Make sure to read the product label to see how long you have to wait before using the brush again on your skin. Some products have a very short dry-time window, but for other chemical-based cleaners, you may need to let the brushes dry for a while.

What’s the difference between a makeup cleanser and a cleaning mat?

Cleaning mats usually come with special wedges and ridges that scrub the bristles of your brush. Think of it as a sponge for your makeup brushes. Makeup cleanser, on the other hand, is the liquid product that you will put on the brushes to get the dirt and old makeup off. Think of it as the shampoo for your brushes. For best results, use a cleaning mat in combination with your makeup cleansing product.