Please not like that! 4 common cleaning mistakes that ruin your brushes
Washing brushes sounds simple. But even here, it's all about knowing how! Those who act intuitively may do a lot wrong - and thus massively shorten the lifespan of their beauty tools.
My brush is falling apart! Of all brushes, my favorite one. Coincidence?
Definitely not.
The endless cycle of use and cleaning has taken its toll on my tool. Especially because I haven't always stuck to my own rules when washing it frequently. Out of pure convenience.
Here are the most common offenses that can significantly shorten the lifespan of a brush.
1. A bath that's too hot
Boiling hot water kills germs, but it also dissolves the glue and damages the brush hairs – whether real or synthetic. The hairs can then dry out or even deform. It's better to use lukewarm water and...
2. Don't be too harsh
..a gentle cleaning agent. Yep, I've also grabbed regular dish soap out of laziness. Can't be that bad, right? After all, it has strong degreasing properties that get rid of the accumulated sebum on the brush hairs. Or does it? Unfortunately, that logic doesn't hold up. Especially natural hair can lose its suppleness and become bristly. Special brush cleaners or a mild baby shampoo are better alternatives here and usually don't leave any potentially skin-irritating residues on the brush.
3. Friction
After washing, you intuitively want to get the excess water out of the bristles. Either by wringing them out vigorously or, even worse, by rubbing them wildly over a terry cloth. The former puts a lot of strain on the brush hairs, the latter can permanently deform them. I recommend simply pinching the bristles lightly upside down between your thumb and forefinger so that they regain their original shape. Feel free to use a cotton or microfiber cloth to help.
4. Head up? Better not!
Do you put the brush back upright in its holder after washing? Practical – and a big mistake. The water cannot drain away and instead gets into the brush ferrule, i.e., the metal element where the bristles come together. If moisture collects there, the glue will dissolve and the hairs can fall out. If the handle is made of wood, moisture can also accumulate inside. The wood swells, becomes rotten, or causes any varnish to eventually start flaking off.
Ideally, you should let the brush dry upside down after washing. If you want to save yourself a special holder, ensure a slight incline when drying. Important: Make sure that the brush hairs do not get a kink and that the brushes lie on an absorbent surface such as a towel.
As a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.
Practical solutions for everyday problems with technology, household hacks and much more.
Show all
