Regular cosmetic sponges can only be used once, but Beauty Blenders and similar blending sponges are designed specifically for long-term use. However, you should clean your blending sponge to remove stains and bacteria that can harm you.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Basic Cleaning
Step 1. Prepare the soapy water
Fill a small bowl with warm water, then add a few drops of hand soap or shampoo into it. Stir until soap bubbles appear on the surface of the water.
Baby shampoo and organic shampoos with gentle formulas work great for cleaning sponges, but most soaps that are safe for use on skin or hair can also be used
Step 2. Soak the sponge for 30 minutes. Place the sponge in a bowl of soapy water
Squeeze once or twice with your hands, then soak for 30 minutes.
- The bowl used should contain enough water to completely submerge the sponge. If there is not enough water in the bowl, add more as needed.
- While the sponge is soaking, the water will likely start to change color. The soaking water may have a cloudy beige or skin color as the water draws out traces of foundation and other cosmetic products from the sponge.
- The sponge will also expand to its full size by absorbing the soapy water.
Step 3. Massage the cleanser into the sponge
Gently rub a solid “Blender Cleanser” or soap that works the same way directly onto the part of the sponge that has the most stains.
Massage the sponge for about 3 minutes to get the cleaner deeper into the sponge. Use only your fingertips; do not use brushes or other tools for cleaning as they may damage the sponge
Step 4. Rinse the sponge
Rinse the sponge with warm running water until it is clear of soap. Any cosmetic residue that is near the surface of the sponge should also be washed off at this step.
You may need to gently squeeze the sponge under running water to help remove soap and cosmetic residue
Step 5. Check if the sponge is clean enough based on the clarity of the rinse water
If the rinse water runs clean under the sponge, the sponge is clean enough and you can move on to drying. If the rinse water is still cloudy, skip the drain step and move on to the deep cleaning method (see the “Deep Cleaning” section of this article).
Step 6. Dry the sponge with a paper towel
Remove any excess water by gently squeezing the sponge with your hands, then rolling the sponge in a clean, dry paper towel to absorb any remaining water inside.
If the sponge is still damp after trying to absorb the water with a paper towel, allow it to dry in a dry place. Wait for the sponge to dry completely before using it to apply cosmetics
Method 2 of 3: Deep Cleaning
Step 1. Perform a deep cleaning if necessary
Usually, you only need to do a deep cleaning if the sponge is still visibly dirty after following basic cleaning procedures.
- This is more likely to happen if you use your makeup blending sponge several times a day or if you forget to clean it after a week or so.
- You'll know if your makeup blending sponge needs a deep cleaning by just looking at the sponge. If the rinse water at the end of the basic cleaning activity still looks dirty, or if stains appear on the sponge after it dries, try a deep cleaning.
Step 2. Wet the sponge
Hold the sponge under warm running water for 30 to 60 seconds, or until the sponge has absorbed enough water to expand to full capacity.
Another method you can use is to place the blending sponge in a bowl of warm water for 5 to 10 minutes. You don't need to use soapy water, or wait for the water to change color before moving on to the next step
Step 3. Apply the cleaner to the dirty area
Apply solid or liquid cleanser directly to the most stained areas of the sponge.
As with any basic cleaning procedure, you should only use a gentle cleanser. A Blender Cleanser made specifically for blending sponges may work well, but if you prefer a different cleanser, solid castile soap, baby shampoo, or organic shampoo formulated specifically for sensitive skin can also work
Step 4. Rub the sponge in the palm of your hand
Rub the area where the cleanser has been applied to the center of your palm in a circular motion. Continue wiping the sponge for 30 seconds.
- You will need to scrub more vigorously and painstakingly than the scrubbing motions of a basic cleaning. However, make sure that your movements are still gentle enough that they don't deform or tear the sponge.
- When you scrub, cosmetics that are deep inside the sponge will be pulled outward through the surface of the sponge. You will notice that the soap froth on your palm will change color to the color of your foundation.
Step 5. Rinse the sponge while continuing to scrub it
Wash the sponge under warm running water while continuing to rub it in the palm of your hand in a circular motion. Continue to rinse the sponge until all the foam is gone.
You may have to rinse the sponge for a few minutes before all the soap is gone. You'll need to rinse off all the soap residue on your sponge, so there's no need to rush
Step 6. Test your sponge
Dab a small amount of the cleanser onto the sponge and rub it again in the palm of your hand. If the soap bubbles are white instead of gray or cream, your sponge is clean.
Rinse the sponge under running water again until all the foam is gone
Step 7. Dry the sponge
Get all the moisture out of the sponge by squeezing the sponge in your hand. Roll the sponge in a clean, dry paper towel to make it even drier.
Your sponge may still be damp after cleaning, so place it in a dry place and let it dry naturally. Use a sponge to apply cosmetics only when the sponge is completely dry
Method 3 of 3: Heat Sterilization
Step 1. Sterilize the sponge every month
Even if you clean your sponge weekly, you should still heat it at least once a month. This is especially important if you use a blending sponge every day.
- You may need to sterilize the sponge more than once per month if you notice bacteria buildup more quickly. Signs of bacterial buildup include the appearance of lots of pimples on your face and the unpleasant smell of a sponge.
- Note that you should still perform basic cleaning procedures after sterilizing the sponge. Sterilization will only kill bacteria; this process will not remove cosmetic stains.
Step 2. Place the sponge in one bowl of water
Fill a microwaveable bowl with about 2.5 cm of water. Place the sponge in the middle of the water.
You have to make sure your sponge is wet with water. Do not place a dry sponge in the microwave as doing so may damage the sponge material or burn the sponge
Step 3. Heat in the microwave oven for 30 seconds
Place the uncovered bowl in the microwave and turn it on at full power for 30 seconds.
Keep an eye on the sponge as you heat it in the microwave. Don't worry if your sponge expands a little or if there's a little smoke, but stop the microwave immediately if your sponge expands much beyond its normal size or if thick smoke starts to come out
Step 4. Leave it for a moment
Let sit for a minute or two before removing the bowl from the microwave and removing the sponge from the water.
Chances are the sponge will be very hot when the microwave is over, and a waiting period of one to two minutes is for your protection. You can pick up the sponge as soon as it is cool enough to hold
Step 5. Dry the sponge
Gently roll the sponge on a clean, dry paper towel. Leave it at room temperature until it feels completely dry.
- If you plan to do basic cleaning of the sponge after heat sterilization, you can do it immediately after removing it from the microwave. You don't need to dry the sponge first.
- Wait for the sponge to dry completely before using it to apply cosmetics.
