WATCH: The complete guide to cleaning your makeup brushes and sponges.

Image: Supplied.

Brushes can quickly build up oil, dust, dead skin and bacteria, which can easily irritate sensitive skin, cause breakouts and in severe cases even life-threatening infections.

Washing them properly and regularly will also make them work better and last longer. Not sure how to? Here’s our quick, easy and cheap guide to cleaning your makeup tools.

Cleaning brushes

How often you should clean your makeup brushes varies on how often you use them. The general rule is to give them a good wash at least once a month. The good news is that it can honestly be done in less than two minutes. (Post continues after video)

STEPS

1. Run your brush under lukewarm water, ensuring you cover where the bristles meet the handle with your hand. This will prevent the glue from weakening and the hairs loosening.

2. Fill a shallow bowl or dish with lukewarm water and add two drops of Johnson’s Baby Shampoo ($5.69). Gently swirl your brush in the mix and watch the product come off.

3. Gently squeeze excess water out the brush into the sink and repeat step two until bristles are completely clean.

4. Gently dab on kitchen roll taking care to reform the shape, then leave to dry.

Drying your brushes

While you can just leave your brush on a flat surface, for best results you should hang them upside down to dry. This helps them dry faster and keep their shape after being washed.

Thanks to this DIY hack that takes less than 30 seconds, it also couldn’t be easier. (Post continues after video.)

Cleaning sponges

Sponges are a little more time consuming, but rely on a similar method to brushes. If you have a beauty blender, the best option is to use the associated cleanser or travel soap bar which makes the process super easy. Otherwise, baby shampoo works just as well. (Post continues after gallery.)

1. Dampen sponge with lukewarm water

2. Using your fingers, apply a drop of baby shampoo, rubbing gently on the stained area.

3. Rinse off and gently squeeze out until you can’t see any more suds

4. Repeat until steps two and three until satisfied. Note: some colour sponges will be stained permanently but the colour should be at least reduced – and they will be clean.

5. Rinse once more, gently squeezing out excess water and leave on flat surface to dry.

How often do you clean your makeup brushes?