The Best Makeup Brush Cleaning Mats

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Adam Barker
Published on
August 9th, 2019

Expert BioExpert Bio

Adam has a passion for cleaning from his youth growing up in England, and he has carried it with him to the US. Adam’s formal training and certifications in cleaning include the Advanced System Cleaning specialist (For HVAC cleaning / ductwork), through NADCA (this is the highest certification that NADCA has), as well as several other certifications from the IICRC. Adam has either advised, consulted, or done research with dozens of cleaning and cleaning related business entities. Adam holds an undergraduate degree from Oxford, a Master’s degree from Oxford, and a Master’s degree from Harvard Business School.

The Cleaning Institute

One of the things that makes brush cleaning difficult is getting rid of stubborn makeup stains on the bristles, especially when it’s used to apply and blend waterproof products. Thankfully, there are tons of products out there that can help and one of our favorites is the makeup brush cleaning mat. It’s cost-effective, efficient, and easily accessible as well. I’ve had one for years and I just noticed it’s starting to come apart so I thought it would be a good idea to start searching for a replacement. I’ve tried quite a few and ended up liking the ESARORA Makeup Brush Cleaner Pad the most. I also found the TailaiMei Makeup Brush Cleaning Mat as well as the Ranphykx Silicon Makeup Brush Cleaning Mat.

Testing Categories

Materials – My old makeup brush cleaning mat lasted me a few years so I wanted something that will do the same or even last longer. Most brush cleaning mats are made of silicone but that doesn’t mean they’re of the same quality. Ideally, you’ll want it to be thick and non-toxic.

Price – Of course, the price is also an important factor. You wouldn’t want to buy something that’s too expensive since it’s just a cleaning tool anyway. Always look for products that are priced competitively.

Ease of use – When buying a makeup brush cleaning mat, make sure it’s easy to use and that it actually works for your needs. Features like suction cups at the back to keep it from slipping and sliding can help make the product easy to use.

Portability – You do your makeup wherever you go so you should be able to clean it where you are as well.

Efficiency – A good makeup brush cleaning mat will help you clean your brushes faster and better. You’ll want to look for one that can do the nitty-gritty and really loosen up all those products stuck to the bristles of your brushes.

Top Pick

ESARORA
Makeup Brush
Cleaner Pad

We love this makeup brush cleaning mat because it’s affordable and efficient. It makes cleaning your makeup brushes a breeze and helps you finish the job faster.

Price Check

Most notable upside: This brush’s bristles are firm but not hard, making it very efficient in loosening up the product buildup on your brushes. It’s a good size, too, that allows you to clean multiple brushes at once.

Biggest downsides: The makeup stains that transferred from the brushes to the mat were pretty challenging to remove.

Honorable Mention

TailaiMei
Makeup Brush
Cleaning Mat

This brush cleaning mat conveniently comes in a 2-piece pack that includes a full-sized mat and a travel-sized one so you can clean your brushes even while on the go.

Price Check

Most notable upside: Getting two useful products for the price of one really makes you feel like you’re getting the best bang for your buck. What’s more is that both products actually work really well.

Biggest downsides: The suction cups don’t stick too well in the sink so the mat moves around when I swirl my brushes on it, but the mat does stick on the countertop.

Green Pick

Ranphykx Silicon
Makeup Brush
Cleaning Mat

This makeup brush cleaning mat is made from non-toxic, environmentally-friendly silica gel. It’s odorless and it works well for normal and sensitive skin.

Price Check

Most notable upside: This multifunctional brush cleaning mat features 7 different cleaning zones with each one having a different texture and purpose. This makes the mat easier and more efficient to use since you don’t have to keep switching between different mats.

Biggest downsides: The mat is smaller than expected. The size is something that you can definitely work with, but it’s just a bit smaller than what we pictured.

All Our Picks

Makeup brush cleaning mat

Since makeup brushes are used daily, cleaning and maintenance should be done in order to prolong the durability and effectivity of the said brushes. A makeup brush cleaning mat ensures that aside from removing the excess makeup, the brush will stay sanitized, retaining its original form. A clean makeup brush minimizes breakouts and loose bristles, it will also result in a smooth application.

A brush should be cleaned every two weeks to ensure that the application of the makeup will still be smooth.

Cleaning mats for brushes usually require a unique textured surface designed to make the brushes look brand new even after continuous use. The use of a mat guarantees the removal of dirt, oil, and bacteria build up on the brushes. The different textures are for the different types of brush, including, but not limited to the following: foundation brush, concealer brush, bronzer brush, blusher brush, contour brush, blending eye brush, angle eye brush, eyeshadow brush, and lip brush. Some makeup brush kits include a cleaning solution; however, cleaning mats are available on the market.

The bristles have to be thoroughly cleaned without damaging the wood or the glue that holds the bristles together. In washing and cleaning makeup brushes, proper case should be taken into consideration, especially for brushes with a metal lining as its base as it may induce rust. The integrity of the handle will also be compromised if the cleaning method is not properly executed.

Cleaning process

Cleaning mats are easy to use. For mats with suction at the back, the suction has to be placed in a clean and smooth surface for a stable hold. The next step is to wet the bristles of the brush with warm water. Put the specially designed shampoo on the brush, then gently scrub the brush into the cleaning mat. A gentle circular and swirling motion will help break down the crusty build up, loosening the residue. Make sure that the brush is aligned with the respective grooves and textures to maximize cleaning. Rinse the bristles of the brush with water after all the dirt is removed. Pat dry the bristles using a tissue, then hang the brushes with the bristles down and air dry overnight.

Rinse the mat with warm water to ensure that no residue is left on the grooves and store the cleaning mat in a cool and dry place to preserve the integrity of the silicone. In case of a makeup residue build up, this can be easily removed by an alcohol dipped cotton pad.

Material

Makeup brush cleaning mats are usually made of safe, environmentally friendly silica gel. The non-toxic and odorless material provides different thread designs to accommodate all types of makeup brushes. Also, foldable, the cleaning mat can fit inside a couch or a purse, making it accessible and travel friendly.

Types

Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Mat

This makeup brush cleaning mat is designed to be placed at the bottom of the sink for minimal mess. It has different nubs and ridges, the texture performing a different function per brush. The ridges in this product are properly marked in order to maximize the cleaning and to break down the oil and dirt in the brush. The three textures are for the face brushes, the other three sections are for eye brushes, and the remaining section is for an all-purpose refining segment, used as a final wash.

The suction cups help the mat to be molded into any shape, fitting the shape of the sink. This mat is easy to use and rolls up for convenient packing.

Palmat Cleaning Mat

The Palmat is made of bright silicone, similar to the Sigma mat. There are also raised textures for cleaning brushes. The difference between Sigma mat and Palmat is that the Palmat is meant to be placed on the palm. The design of the Palmat is 2 silicon circles connected by a silicon bridge wherein the mat is strapped on to the hand so that the cleaning surfaces rest in both front and back of the palm. The sides of the circles also have a fastener for a more secure hold in the palm. This means that the cleaning mat will be easy to manipulate, and it can be run under the faucet for faster cleaning.

This cleaning mat is more suited for eye brushes as it fits the palm of the hand. Aside from makeup brushes, this type of mat is also effective in cleaning sponges and blender brushes. Since it is compact, it is also inexpensive.

Artis Cleansing Pad

This cleansing pad is designed for daily brushes cleaning and includes an antimicrobial treated, microfiber cloth. It grabs and removes excess makeup from the brush fibers without damaging the bristles. A back and forth motion are needed to wipe away the residue until it is removed. After use, the plush pad can be hand or machine washed for easy care. This design is more expensive than the silica gel cleaning mat.

Depending on the preferences, the different cleaning mats available on the market also have different sizes and colors.

The Best Makeup Brush Cleaning Mats

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Adam Barker

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

ESARORA
Makeup Brush
Cleaner Pad

TailaiMei
Makeup Brush
Cleaning Mat

Ranphykx Silicon
Makeup Brush
Cleaning Mat

All Our Picks

ESARORA
Makeup Brush
Cleaner Pad

TailaiMei
Makeup Brush
Cleaning Mat

Ranphykx Silicon
Makeup Brush
Cleaning Mat

Makeup brush cleaning mat

Cleaning process

Types

Quick Links

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The Best Makeup Brush Cleaning Mats

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Adam Barker

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

ESARORA Makeup BrushCleaner Pad

TailaiMeiMakeup BrushCleaning Mat

Ranphykx SiliconMakeup BrushCleaning Mat

All Our Picks

ESARORA Makeup BrushCleaner Pad

TailaiMeiMakeup BrushCleaning Mat

Ranphykx SiliconMakeup BrushCleaning Mat

Makeup brush cleaning mat

Cleaning process

Types

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

ESARORA
Makeup Brush
Cleaner Pad

TailaiMei
Makeup Brush
Cleaning Mat

Ranphykx Silicon
Makeup Brush
Cleaning Mat

ESARORA
Makeup Brush
Cleaner Pad

TailaiMei
Makeup Brush
Cleaning Mat

Ranphykx Silicon
Makeup Brush
Cleaning Mat