Washing a makeup sponge with warm water and a mild soap can help keep it clean and free of germs that might harm your skin.

If you wear makeup, you will likely have a few brushes or sponges on hand for a more seamless and natural application. Sponges work particularly well for oil or water-based products, such as liquid foundations, as well as cream-based bronzers and blushes.

Finding the perfect makeup sponge doesn’t mean you can just use it and forget about it, though. Washing these cosmetic applicators on a regular basis can help keep your sponges clean, all while keeping your skin healthy, too.

You can think of the repeated use of a dirty makeup sponge as similar to applying makeup with unwashed hands. It isn’t the most hygienic and can lead to bacterial or fungal infections on your skin.

Washing your makeup sponges helps remove product buildup and oils from your skin that accumulate on them. It also helps remove dirt, bacteria, and fungi that may be lurking in the sponges, too.

Aside from possible infections, the build up of bacteria on makeup applicators can also increase the risk of other skin problems such as rashes and acne breakouts.

Despite such dangers, one 2020 study of used and donated makeup blenders found that an astonishing 93% of the products had never been cleaned. What’s more, researchers discovered that between 79% and 90% carried high levels of harmful bacteria.

Another more recent study from 2025 found that not only did makeup brushes contain harmful bacteria, but nearly 28% of users had skin problems directly attributed to these products.

While there are commercial makeup sponge cleaners available, you don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of money to keep these applicators clean. Try using a mild soap or clarifying shampoo instead.

When combined with warm water, these gentle cleansers are strong enough to help remove germs without being so harsh that they destroy the integrity of your makeup sponges.

Avoid using any scrubbing shampoos or soaps, as well as those that contain fragrances. These are unnecessary, can cause skin irritation, and may end up damaging the sponges.

Before cleaning your makeup sponges, make sure you’re handling them with washed hands.

You can then follow these steps:

  1. First, wet the sponge under a faucet with warm (not hot) water.
  2. Take a small amount of mild soap or shampoo and apply it directly onto the sponge. Work the product through the sponge with your fingers for at least 15 seconds while ensuring that the cleansing agent is massaged over every nook and cranny. Alternatively, you can combine warm water and soap in a bowl and then place the sponge inside directly.
  3. Rinse the product out of the sponge under the faucet, using warm water once again. Squeeze the sponge occasionally to release the soap or shampoo. Keep repeating this process until there’s no soap left, and the water underneath the sponge runs clear.
  4. Examine the makeup sponge for any areas of product buildup or residue. Repeat steps 2 and 3, if necessary.
  5. Gently squeeze out any excess water remaining in the makeup sponge.
  6. Place the sponge on a clean towel or a few paper towels and allow it to air dry. To speed up this process, you can also gently blot the sponge with a separate clean towel.
  7. Once dry, your makeup sponge is ready to use as normal.

As a rule of thumb, you should wash your makeup sponges at least once a week. However, depending on usage, you may need to wash them more often, as product buildup can make sponges less effective during makeup application.

It’s also a good idea to wash your makeup sponges if they get dirty in other ways, such as by being dropped in the bathroom sink or on your floor.

You may even consider having a backup makeup sponge on hand since some of these applicators can sometimes take a few days to dry completely after being washed. It’s also helpful to have a backup in case your main sponge gets dirty unexpectedly.

Washing a makeup sponge is important to your overall health, as keeping it clean can prevent skin problems and infections.

The good news is this process doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Washing your makeup sponges at least once a week with soap and water can help keep them free of harmful microbes.

If you do develop any concerning symptoms after using an unclean makeup sponge, consider tossing it and talking with a dermatologist.