There is no better way to explain the simplest way of cleaning natural hair brushes, so I’ve chosen this week to adapt the same principles written in an article I read. There are other local soaps I use to substitute for a brush cleaner, oil soaps like Coconut Oil Soap or Crabwood Oil Soap works well on natural haired brushes as well.
It’s also best to squeeze excess water using fingertips to ensure that it’s completely clean; rinse and repeat. The more the bristles lather, the cleaner the brush.
Microfiber towels are perfect for drying brushes, and they’re commonly available at supermarkets like Nigel’s (where you can also find the local soaps), or at gas stations, since they also work well on cars.

The Ultimate Guide
You’ve probably heard how important it is to clean your makeup brushes regularly. But did you know that brushes with natural bristles (such as goat, squirrel, or fitch) should be treated differently than their synthetic counterparts? Though natural brushes normally shed when you first use them, with proper maintenance, you can minimize shedding and help your brushes stay soft and supple for years to come. Keep reading for a rundown on the best way to clean and care for your natural brushes.
Between makeup applications
Washing your natural brushes too frequently can damage their delicate bristles. Keep them clean and conditioned between uses with these tips:
1. Wipe off any excess product onto a microfiber towel. Fine, natural hair is not very porous, so it should release pigment easily.
2. Spot clean with a no-rinse spray cleanser, such as BeautySoClean Conditioning Brush Spray. This step is crucial if you’re a makeup artist or have oily, acne-prone skin. BeautySoClean uses food-grade alcohol to gently sanitize your brush and emollients to keep the hairs soft between washings.

Bi-monthly bathtime
Deep clean your natural brushes every 1-2 months with a gentle brush shampoo. We recommend Clean Apothecary Brush Shampoo, a line of solid cleansers formulated with coconut and essential oils to banish dirt, oil, makeup, and bacteria—all without stripping your brushes. (Pro tip: Clean Apothecary Brush Shampoos can also be used on synthetic brushes and sponges.) Bathe your brushes by following these steps:

1. Wet the bristles under lukewarm running water, angling downward to ensure that the metal ferrule of the brush doesn’t get wet. Water in your brush’s ferrule can eventually break
down the glue holding the handle and the bristles together.
2. Swish the wet brush directly into Clean Apothecary Brush Shampoo to create a delicate lather.
3. Continue to swish the wet, foamy bristles gently in the palm of your clean hand. You’ll begin to see makeup pigment release.
4. Rinse the brush just like you did in the first step, pointing the brush tip downward under lukewarm running water. Use your fingers to gently move the hair around to ensure that all makeup and soap has been rinsed clean.
5. Gently squeeze out any excess water and place your brush in a Brush Guard. These breathable mesh sleeves help to maintain your brush’s shape and keep bristles in like-new condition.

6. Allow your brushes to dry upside down overnight so that water doesn’t leak into the ferrule and loosen the bristles. We love the Benjabelle Brush Tree for this purpose. (The Ultimate Guide was reprinted from Beautylish.com)