Trust us: you don’t even want to think about the kind of gunk that’s in your makeup brushes.

If you’re like many people, your poor brushes sit out, exposed on the counter in a cup or on the counter, collecting dust, bacteria and anything else that comes their way. That bacteria can build up and lead to acne, skin irritation and more unsightly blemishes. Do we need to use some scare tactics and talk about what happens when you flush the toilet? It’s… yeah… So, let’s get those brushes sudsed up!

The good news is that you don’t need to spend a ton of money to clean your brushes. Sure, you could go out and invest a ton in an electric brush cleaner, but we’d rather invest that money back into better, longer-lasting brushes. Because, let’s be honest: you can never have enough makeup brushes.

How often you clean your brushes largely depends on how often you use them and how you store them. If you use them daily, we recommend once a week. Now, don’t panic– this shouldn’t take you all day. Simply start with slightly damp bristles, using lukewarm water. Apply a brush cleanser or your favorite shampoo to the brush head and massage the tips of the bristles in the palm of your clean hand. Rinse the brushes thoroughly and press out the excess moisture with a clean towel. Leave them to dry overnight hanging off the edge of a counter, to allow for maximum airflow and prevent mildew.

When should you replace your brushes? When they start shedding, if there’s discoloration, or they don’t pass the sniff test– they shouldn’t have an odor aside from the fresh scent of the makeup you’re using.

Finally, set a reminder on your calendar to clean your brushes in another week, and mark the last date you cleaned them. When you forget, you can always look back and check!