How to clean nail art brushes like a pro

An artist is only as good as the tools that they work with, so make sure yours are performing their best by cleaning them effectively. If you’re unsure of how to clean your nail art brushes properly, this is the article for you. Save your coins on new tools and follow our step-by-step guide to learn how to clean nail art brushes with ease. 

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Firstly, what type of nail art brushes do you have?

These usually fall into two categories: natural and synthetic. Natural nail art brushes are made from animal hair, usually boar or horse. Whereas, synthetic nail art brushes are made from fibres such as nylon and acrylic. Finding this out will determine how you should take care of them. 

Tools needed to clean nail art brushes effectively

Cleaning solutions

• Gentle brush cleaner (for natural brushes e.g. acrylic brushes)
• Mild shampoo
• Acetone
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Olive oil
• Cuticle oil

Cleaning tools

• Small bowl or container: For holding cleaning solutions.
• Paper towels
• Lint-free nail wipes/cloths
• Brush cleaning mat: Optional, for thorough cleaning.
• Cool to lukewarm water: For rinsing brushes.
• Brush holder: Optional, for drying and storing brushes.

Cleaning synthetic nail art brushes

If your nail art brushes are made from synthetic materials, you’ll have a slightly easier time cleaning them because the fibres are usually less delicate.

Step-by-step brush cleaning process

1. Preparation

• Set Up Your Cleaning Station: Arrange all your materials on a clean, flat surface.
• Initial Wipe: Gently wipe off any excess nail polish from the brush using a paper towel or lint-free cloth.

2. Regular cleaning

• Soap and water method:
  • Mix soap and water: Add a few drops of mild soap or brush cleaner to a small bowl of lukewarm water.
  • Swirl the brush: Dip the brush in the soapy water and swirl it gently to remove nail polish residue.
  • Rinse: Rinse the brush under lukewarm running water until all soap is removed.
  • Dry: Pat the brush dry with a paper towel or lint-free cloth and reshape the bristles. Lay it flat to air dry.

3. Deep cleaning

• Using acetone or isopropyl alcohol:
  • Pour the solution: Pour a small amount of acetone or isopropyl alcohol into a small bowl.
  • Dip the brush: Dip the brush into the solution for a few seconds.
  • Swirl and clean: Swirl the brush gently to break down and remove the polish.
  • Rinse: Rinse the brush under lukewarm running water to remove any remaining solution.
  • Dry: Pat dry with a paper towel or lint-free cloth, reshape the bristles, and lay flat to air dry.

4. Using a brush cleaning mat (optional)

• Apply cleaning solution: Add a drop of soap or brush cleaner to the mat.
• Swirl the brush: Gently swirl the brush on the mat’s textured surface to remove polish and debris.
• Rinse and dry: Follow the rinsing and drying steps as mentioned above.

Cleaning natural nail art brushes

On the other hand, natural bristle brushes are usually more delicate (and pricey too), so you’ll want to take extra care when handling and cleaning them.

Step-by-step brush cleaning process

1. Preparation

• Same process as above

2. Regular cleaning

• Using mild shampoo:
  • Mix shampoo and water: Add a small amount of mild shampoo to a bowl of cool to lukewarm water.
  • Swirl the brush
  • Rinse: Rinse the brush under cool to lukewarm running water until all soap is removed.
  • Dry: Pat the brush dry with a paper towel or lint-free cloth and reshape the bristles. Lay it flat to air dry.

3. Deep cleaning

• Using olive oil and shampoo:
  • Olive oil treatment: Pour a small amount of olive oil into a bowl. Dip the brush in the oil and swirl it gently. This helps break down any remaining polish and conditions the bristles.
  • Shampoo cleaning: Follow the shampoo cleaning steps above to remove the oil and any remaining polish.
  • Rinse: Rinse the brush thoroughly under cool to lukewarm running water.
  • Dry: Pat the brush dry with a paper towel or lint-free cloth, reshape the bristles, and lay flat to air dry.

4. Use your brush cleaning mat (optional)

• Apply cleaning solution: Add a drop of mild shampoo or brush cleaner to the mat.
• Swirl the brush: Gently swirl the brush on the mat’s textured surface to remove polish and debris.
• Rinse and dry: Follow the rinsing and drying steps as mentioned above.

5. Conditioning the bristles

• Apply cuticle oil: After cleaning, dip the bristles in a small amount of cuticle oil to keep them soft and flexible.
• Remove excess oil: Gently wipe off any excess oil with a paper towel or lint-free cloth.

Here’s a great tutorial on how to clean nail art brushes from YouTube to help you out too!