I Washed My Makeup Brushes in the Washing Machine

You know when you’ve been doing something for so long that it becomes second nature, and then you innocently think, this might actually help other people, so you throw it up on Instagram… only to discover that what you’ve been doing for years is, apparently, completely insane?

That’s exactly what happened last year when I posted an Instagram Story of my makeup brushes inside a laundry bag, about to go into the washing machine. Cue uproar.

I received hundreds (maybe even more - I had to tap out after a while for my own sanity) of messages, and they fell into two very distinct camps.

The first was absolutely scandalised. There were angry makeup artists, people calling me every name under the sun, and others who took the time to send me expletive-filled messages (nice). Which I honestly found fascinating - why are people so upset by the way someone chooses to wash her own makeup brushes?

The second camp proclaimed me a genius (which, in all fairness, I greatly preferred).

Those messages ranged from “This is brilliant” to “You have to tell us EXACTLY how you do this!”

The funny thing is, I genuinely didn’t realise washing makeup brushes in the washing machine was remotely controversial. I’ve been doing it for years. I’m fairly sure I picked it up from a YouTube video at some point, but honestly, I can’t remember - it was that long ago.

The angry messages detailed all the destruction I was apparently inflicting on my poor brushes: “The glue will melt!, “The handles will crack!, “You’re destroying your makeup brushes!”

Then someone commented underneath the Reel (which I’d hastily thrown together because people were literally clamouring for info) and wrote:

“Isn’t it better than them not getting washed at all?”

And that, my friends, is the entire point.

Because that’s exactly what would happen.

Painstakingly hand-washing every single makeup brush isn’t high on my priority list. My priority list looks more like this:

• Get my work done.

• Pitch for more work.

• Work in the clinic.

• Be a good mum.

• Be a good wife.

• Be a good dog mum.

• Stay alive.

I wish I had the time to lovingly hand wash every brush individually. But alas, I don’t.

So, the other day, I did what I always do. I flung them into the washing machine and, because I was clearly in excellent form that day, decided to throw another Story up on Instagram.

I set the cat among the pigeons once more. The uproar (re)commenced. This Substack was written, and a great time was had by all.

Am I sorry that my decision to wash my makeup brushes (which I bought with my own big-girl money) upsets so many complete strangers on the internet? No.

Anyway... on to the important part.

Because if there’s one thing you take away from this slightly ranty newsletter, it’s this:

It absolutely bloody works!

(Brace yourselves.)

I gather all my makeup brushes and sponges and throw them into a laundry bag - or anything similar that lets water flow through but can be tied tightly.

The latter is important. The bag has to be tied tightly.

Otherwise, the brushes escape and smash around the washing machine and essentially attempt to destroy themselves (and your nervous system - the noise when they’re smashing around is something else), which rather defeats the whole purpose.

Then, into the washing machine they go. I add one non-bio laundry pod (or whatever gentle detergent is available) and put the machine on a 15-minute hand wash.

The hand-wash cycle gently swishes everything around, so the brushes aren’t being aggressively assaulted.

When the cycle finishes, I lay everything on a towel (I put them outside if it’s sunny), leave them for ten or fifteen minutes to dry, and that’s it.

Sparkling clean brushes. Sparkling clean sponges.

Have I lost the odd brush over the years? Abso-fucking-lutely.

This is not entirely risk-free.

Interestingly, though, every brush I’ve lost has been because the handle cracked - not because the bristles fell out, which is what most people insisted would happen.

And, in fairness, every single one had already had a very good innings. They’d either been poorly made in the first place, or they’d reached the end of their life after years of use.

So yes, there is a risk. But personally? I’m willing to take it.

So there you have it. Possibly the most scandalous - or perhaps the most genius - thing I’ve ever admitted to doing. I’ll let you be the judge.

If you decide to give it a go yourself, all I can say is: Godspeed.

And if one of your brushes gives up the ghost along the way… don’t blame me.

I’m too busy trying to stay alive.

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