Have you recognized that you’re supposed to be cleaning the beauty tools as often as you clean your countertops or wash your sheets? And just in case you haven’t been maintaining with cleaning recommendations, that’s about once per week – at least. If I’m being honest, I don’t clean my makeup brushes nearly enough. Not only are dirty brushes gross, but they’re also one of the highest causes of acne and irritation. But regularly cleaning the beauty tools will keep build up off your skin and bacteria out of your pores. Plus it'll protect your investment, prolong the lifetime of your tools and save your hard-earned money.

We all want to seem our best, but using dirty makeup and beauty tools can leave less-than-desirable results. More frightening than going out looking a touch off is developing a rash or infection from bacteria-laden tools.

Learn how to clean the common beauty tools for your health and your best self properly.

Makeup Brushes

Unless you've got extras, pick a time to wash your makeup brushes when you are not in a rush.

• First, wet the brush well with cool, plain water. Try and wet only the bristle part to stop weakening the adhesive that holds the brush to the handle.
• Place a dab of gentle shampoo or detergent within the palm of your hand and swish the brush through the shampoo, ensuring it gets into the middle of the brush.
• Rinse with normal water, keeping that handle dry.
• Gently squeeze the water out of the bristles, keeping them lying as flat as possible. Lay the brushes flat on a towel to air dry, a minimum of overnight before using.

Ultrasonic Facial Brushes

Even though you utilize a cleanser along with your ultrasonic facial brush, it still must be cleaned regularly, a minimum of weekly.

• Unscrew the brush head.
• Use some drops of liquid antibacterial soap on an old toothbrush to wash between the bristles.
• Rinse well with warm water then clean the handle with the soap and a soft cloth.
• Allow the brush head to air dry overnight after separating from the handle.

Hair Brushes, Combs, and Hair Accessories

Hairbrushes and combs collect many oily dirt, dead skin and hair products on their surfaces. If you do not clean them regularly, all of that gunk is transferred back to your hair and may leave it looking dull and flat.

Plastic and Metal

• First, remove the maximum amount of hair as possible from the comb or comb together with your fingers or with tweezers.
• Next, dampen the comb or comb with water and add a small amount of shampoo. Use hands to work the shampoo properly into the bristles or teeth.
• Fill a sink with warm water and permit the comb and comb to soak for a minimum of fifteen minutes. Finally, use an old toothbrush to loosen and residue which may remain.
• Rinse well with warm water and permit to air dry on a clean towel.

Natural Boar Bristle, Cushioned, and Wooden Handled

Skip the soaking step because it can damage parts of the comb. Instead, you'll get to repeat the shampoo and a touch of water using an old toothbrush then rinse well and allow to air dry.

Don't forget to wash plastic and metal barrettes, headbands and clips. They will be cleaned an equivalent way and you'll get to use a touch of lotion on a cotton pad to get rid of hairspray residue.

For fabric headbands and bows, follow label directions, or spot clean with a mild detergent and plain water. Allow the things to air dry then spritz on a touch of spray starch or fabric sizing and gently reshape together with your fingers.

Makeup Pencil Sharpeners

Eyeliner, eyebrow and lip liner pencils all become dull and wish to be sharpened. And, each of those has been in touch with body fluids before they've put therein sharpener. To stop cross-contamination, the sharpener should be cleaned after every use.

Simply dip an old toothbrush into some lotion or peroxide and thoroughly get into the sides of the sharpener.

Rinse well with cool water and permit to air dry.

Eyelash Curler

Eyeliner, Mascara, and bacteria can all coat the surface of the eyelash curler. None of them sounds very conducive to good eye health. A curler should be cleaned a minimum of weekly; daily if you've got sensitive eyes or any kind of eye infection.

• To clean the curler, wet a cotton pad or ball with lotion or hydrogen peroxide and wipe down all the surfaces that are available in contact together with your eyes.
• Keep moving to a clean a part of the pad as you work. When it's clean, make one last pass with a clean pad dipped in lotion.
• Rinse with normal cool water because the alcohol may dry out any plastic or rubber components.
• Try to air dry on a clean towel.

Tweezers

Tweezers are used for many tasks and most of them involve contact with body fluids. To reduce the possibility of infection, tweezers should be cleaned after every use.

• For overall cleaning, wash the whole implement with a touch of antibacterial hand soap and warm water.
• Then, dip the ideas in lotion or peroxide or rub with a cotton swab dipped in lotion.
• Then air dry on a clean towel.

Curling and Flat Irons

Hair spray and other hair products can build-up on curling and flat irons and every one of that heat simply bakes it onto the surface. You cannot just dunk these appliances in water, and scraping off the gunk can damage surfaces.

• Unplug the appliance and confirm it's completely cool.
• Then wet a cotton pad or ball with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and re-evaluate the sticky surfaces. Allow it to figure for a couple of minutes. You’ll get to use several pads to finish the work.
• Wipe down with a clean, damp cloth then a soft, dry cloth.

The irons also can be cleaned by mixing a tablespoon of baking soda with one teaspoon of water. Scrub lightly after applying the paste to the sticky areas with a soft cloth. Wipe off the residue with a clean cloth dipped in plain water then dry with a soft cloth.

Manicure and Pedicure Tools

There are horror stories about infections from manicure and pedicure tools because the tools are available in contact with dirt, bacteria and body fluids. Proper cleaning is important.

Dispose of single-use items like cotton pads and wooden sticks after every use. Metal implements should be washed with warm water and antibacterial soap using an old toothbrush to urge into the hard to succeed in areas then the sides cleaned with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or peroxide after every use.

Plastic or synthetic materials like toe separators or nail brushes should be wiped down with lotion. Abrasive surfaces like nail files and buffers are often cleaned by brushing thereupon clean nail brush.

Make sure tools are completely dry and stored properly during a clean container. Don’t leave dirty tools in an airtight bag or container because it will promote the expansion of bacteria.

Shower Loofahs and Poofs

Your body is also clean after a bath or shower, but where did all that dirt and oil go? Into your loofah or bath poof; where all of that moisture and warmth encourage little bacteria to grow.

After every use, rinse the loofah or poof well. Hang to dry after shaking it out.

At least once per week, clean everything thoroughly by soaking in diluted bleach and water solution (one tablespoon of household bleach to 2 cups of warm water) for five minutes.

A poof is often tossed during a washing machine with bath towels.

Never use a loofah or poof if you've got cuts or sores on your skin. Replace loofahs and poofs regularly to stop mold and mildew.

Mirrors

You may not consider a mirror as a beauty Products, but we'd be pretty scary if we did not have one. Whether your mirror may be a large one over the lavatory sink, a hand-held mirror or one that has extra lighting, you'll easily keep it crystal clear.

Make your own glass cleaner by mixing one part ammonia and one part water during a spray bottle. Make sure to label the container.

Use the homemade cleaner or an advertisement brand sparingly then wipe down with a microfiber or other lint-free cloth.

For tough toiletry stains on mirrors and windows, wipe the area with a cloth dipped in isopropanol then dry with the lint-free cloth.