Keep Your Makeup Brushes Clean And Organized With A Genius Pool Noodle Hack

We love using makeup brushes, but washing them can be a chore. It's fine to use a brush cleaner after each use to get rid of residue makeup and bacteria, but after a few uses, it's time to give them a thorough cleaning. The American Academy of Dermatology Association states that dirty makeup brushes can cause infections and advises makeup users to clean their tools every seven to 10 days. The good news is, you don't need a fancy brush soap — your hair shampoo or a gentle soap will do.

After washing your brushes, it seems easiest to let them dry on a flat surface, but doing so will result in the bristles drying misshaped. Letting them dry upright is also a big no-no, as the water will drip into the ferrule (the metal part that holds the brush together) and loosen the glue. What's the best way to dry your brushes after a wash? We found a simple hack and it involves just a pool noodle and a sharp tool.

Although there are cool-looking drying racks for makeup brushes, they can get pricey and take up valuable space on your counter. For about a buck, you can create your own DIY drying rack with a pool noodle. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a slit along the length of the foam, making sure not to cut all the way through the noodle. Flip it over so that the cut part is facing the bottom, and then make a series of slits about two fingers width apart — this is where you'll hold your makeup brushes, so be sure to leave enough room in between for ones with bigger handles.

Once you're done cutting, find a convenient area for your pool noodle/drying rack. You can either fit it on the edge of your sink counter or a table. If you have a long enough towel rack, you can use that as well. The best part about using a pool noodle is that you can cut the length to fit any space and they're so cheap that you can buy several as well. After you've washed your brushes, make sure you dry them upside down. Not only will that protect the ferrule, but it'll also help your brushes dry faster.

Deep cleaning your makeup brushes is a necessity, but it takes an ample amount of time for them to air dry. Depending on the thickness of the brush, it can take up to 12 hours, especially for those large, fluffy ones. Applying makeup with a wet brush can lead to a streaky, uneven application — notably with powders. While it's important to allow for time to let your brushes fully dry, there are times when you may need to speed up the process.

To dry your brushes faster, squeeze out the excess water with a towel after washing them. Microfiber towels are super absorbent and will wick out more moisture from your brushes, so you may want to invest in one. Reshape the bristles with your fingers and place them upside down in your pool noodle. Place a large fan in front of your brushes and give it a couple of hours. If your brushes are still damp and you're in a hurry, give them a blast with your hair dryer with the setting on cool. Never use hot heat on your brushes — the bristles will warp and dry up.