How To Clean Mac Brushes Without Cleaner



Apple products are made with a variety of materials, and each material might have specific cleaning requirements. To get started, here are some tips that apply to all products:

  • Use only a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid abrasive cloths, towels, paper towels, or similar items.
  • Avoid excessive wiping, which might cause damage.
  • Unplug all external power sources, devices, and cables.
  • Keep liquids away from the product, unless otherwise noted for specific products.
  • Don't get moisture into any openings.
  • Don't use aerosol sprays, bleaches, or abrasives.
  • Don't spray cleaners directly onto the item.
Brushes

A handy cleaner may prove that your Mac is still alive and can actually perform at its best. In this article we’ve brought together some of the best Mac cleaning solutions around to clean, optimize, and maintain Macs that are available in 2020. Also, when your MAC makeup brushes are clean your makeup will go on much better (stronger, more even color). Avoid using harsh cleansers to clean your brushes and use a gentle MAC brush cleanser instead. In this tutorial I am cleaning all natural hair brushes which you should do at least monthly (deep cleanse).

Is it OK to use a disinfectant on my Apple product?
Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don't use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don't submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents. Don't use on fabric or leather surfaces.

If liquid makes its way inside your Apple product, get help from an Apple Authorized Service Provider or Apple Retail Store as soon as possible. Liquid damage isn't covered under the Apple product warranty or AppleCare Protection Plans, but you may have rights under consumer law. If you plan to visit an Apple Retail store, make a reservation at the Genius Bar (available only in some countries and regions).

For more detailed instructions, select your Apple product:

How To Clean Mac Brushes Without Cleaner

Notebook computers

Learn how to clean your Mac notebook computer.

MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air

When cleaning the outside of your MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air, first shut down your computer and unplug the power adapter. Then use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth to clean the computer's exterior. Avoid getting moisture in any openings. Do not spray liquid directly on the computer. Don't use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide that might damage the finish.

To clean the screen on your MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air, first shut down the computer and unplug the power adapter. Dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with water only, then use it to clean the computer's screen.

MacBook Pro models from 2016 and later with Touch Bar and Touch ID: Clean the Touch Bar and Touch ID (power button) on these computers the same way you would clean the display. Shut down your Mac and unplug the power adapter. Dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with water only, then use it to clean the Touch Bar and Touch ID.

MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009) and MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2010): The bottom case of these computers uses a soft nonslip material. Use a 3M Gray Microfiber or soft dye-free, lint-free cloth to clean the bottom case.

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Desktop computers

Learn how to clean your Mac desktop computer.

Mac Pro, Mac mini, and iMac

If your iMac has nano-texture glass, learn how to clean the nano-texture glass on your Apple display.

First, shut down your Mac and unplug the power cord along with other connected devices. Then use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth to clean the computer's exterior. Avoid getting moisture in any openings. Don't spray liquid directly on the computer. Don't use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide that might damage the finish.

To clean the display on your iMac, dampen the cloth that came with your iMac—or another clean, soft, lint-free cloth—with water only, and then wipe the screen.

Don't clean the screen of your iMac with a cleaner containing acetone. Use a cleaner intended for use with a screen or display. Never spray cleaner directly on the screen. It might drip inside the display and cause damage.

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Displays

If your Apple Pro Display XDR has nano-texture glass, learn how to clean the nano-texture glass on your Apple display. The following guidelines are for cleaning the Apple Thunderbolt Display and previous Apple displays.

First, disconnect the display from power, from its connection to a computer, and from any external devices. Then use the cloth that came with your display or another soft, dry cloth to wipe dust from the screen.

If additional cleaning of the display panel or case is required, use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean the display.

Don't clean the screen of your display with a cleaner containing acetone. Use a cleaner intended for use with a screen or display. Never spray cleaner directly on the screen. It might drip inside the display and cause damage.

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Peripherals

Apple wireless or USB keyboards, mice, and trackpads

First, power off the device. If your device uses removable batteries, remove the batteries. (If your device is wired, simply unplug it from your computer.)

Next, clean the outside of your device with a lint-free cloth lightly moistened with water. Don't get moisture in any openings or use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide.

If your Magic Mouse or Magic Mouse 2 isn’t tracking properly, there might be a hair or other debris on the sensor lens. Turn the mouse over and inspect the sensor window using a bright light. If you see debris, use compressed air to gently clean the sensor window.

iPhone cases

iPhone case—silicone

To clean your silicone iPhone case, remove your iPhone from the case. Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth to wipe the outside and the inside of the iPhone case. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean the iPhone case.

iPhone case—leather

The leather iPhone case is made from natural leather. Its appearance will change as you use it. It might acquire a patina and might change color due to the oils from your skin and direct sunlight, further enhancing the natural look.

Stick

Cleaning the leather iPhone case might affect its color. If you choose to clean this case, first remove it from your iPhone. Use a clean cloth with warm water and mild hand soap to gently clean the iPhone case. You can also use a mild cleaner along with a dry clean cloth. Leather cleaners and conditioners can change the color of leather.

Keep your iPhone case away from prolonged intense sunlight, heat, and humidity. Exposure to water, oil, makeup, and dyed materials (such as denim) can stain tanned leathers.

iPhone case—clear

To clean your clear iPhone case, remove your iPhone from the case. Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to wipe the outside and inside of the case. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean the case.

iPhone Smart Battery Case

To clean your Smart Battery Case, remove your iPhone from the case. Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth to wipe the outside of the case. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean the case.

When cleaning the internal Lightning connector, use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth, and don’t use liquids or cleaning products.

Learn how to clean your iPhone.

iPhone MagSafe accessories

MagSafe Charger contains magnets that might attract debris during everyday use. Brush off any debris from the metal ring before cleaning this accessory.

Unplug your MagSafe Charger from power. Then use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth to wipe the silicone middle of the charging area. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean MagSafe Charger.

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iPad accessories

Apple Pencil

To clean your Apple Pencil, use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. With the damp cloth, wipe your Apple Pencil from the tip end—but not the tip itself—toward the other end of your Apple Pencil. Don’t allow moisture to get inside the seam between the tip and the body of your Apple Pencil.

iPad Smart Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio, Smart Cover, and Smart Case—polyurethane

To clean your polyurethane Smart Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio, Smart Cover, or Smart Case, first remove it from the iPad. Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Wipe the front and the inside with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean this product.

iPad Smart Cover and Smart Case—leather

How To Clean Mac Brushes Without Cleaners

The iPad leather cover/case is made from natural leather. Its appearance will change as you use it. It might acquire a patina and might change color due to the oils from your skin and direct sunlight, further enhancing the natural look.

Cleaning the leather might affect its color. If you choose to clean the leather, first remove the cover/case from your iPad. Use a clean cloth with warm water and mild hand soap to gently clean the leather. Wipe the outside and the inside with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove any dirt. You can also use a mild cleaner along with a dry clean cloth. Mild cleaners or conditioners might help remove some stains but might also change the color of the leather.

Keep your iPad leather cover/case away from prolonged intense sunlight, heat, and humidity. Exposure to water, oil, makeup, and dyed materials (such as denim) can stain tanned leathers.

iPad Silicone Case

To clean your iPad Silicone Case, remove your iPad from the case. Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth to wipe the outside and the inside of the case. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean the iPad case.

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iPad

Handle your iPad with care to maintain its appearance. If you're concerned about scratching or abrasion, you can use one of the many cases sold separately. To clean iPad, unplug all cables and turn off iPad (press and hold the Sleep/Wake button, and then slide the onscreen slider). Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean iPad. iPad has an oleophobic coating on the screen; simply wipe iPad's screen with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove oil left by your hands. The ability of this coating to repel oil will diminish over time with normal usage, and rubbing the screen with an abrasive material will further diminish its effect and might scratch your screen.

How to clean mac brushes without cleaners

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iPod

iPod touch

To clean iPod touch, unplug all cables and turn off iPod touch (press and hold the Sleep/Wake button, and then slide the onscreen slider). Then use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean iPod touch.

iPod classic

To clean iPod classic, unplug all cables, turn iPod classic off, and slide the Hold switch to HOLD. Then use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean iPod classic.

iPod nano

Without

To clean iPod nano, unplug all cables, turn iPod nano off, and slide the Hold switch to HOLD. Then use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean iPod nano.

On iPod nano 6th generation, which has no hold switch, you need to press only the Sleep/Wake button to turn the device off before cleaning.

iPod shuffle

To clean iPod shuffle, unplug all cables, turn it off (slide the switch to OFF), and use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean iPod shuffle.

iPod mini

To clean iPod mini, unplug all cables, turn iPod mini off, and slide the Hold switch to HOLD. Then use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean iPod mini.

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Learn more

  • Learn how to disinfect the Apple internal or external keyboard, trackpad, and mouse.
  • For more information on cleaning, handling, and working with your Apple Product, please refer to the User Guide that came with your product or download a copy.

Ever feel like your skin is breaking out out of nowhere, or have watery eyes and can’t figure out why?

You drink enough water, exercise, remind yourself to stop touching your face / eyes, eat healthier, and have tried every kind of contact solution or eye drops you can find, medicated, non-medicated and natural acne cleanser on the market- but still nothing seems to work… The culprit may quite possibly be your makeup brushes! Who knew?
Makeup brushes can harbor lots of yucky stuff like… oh, say old makeup residue, dead skin cells, germs from being sick (or not), toxins from sweat, oil, dirt, and bacteria… Umm, Ew! Cleaning your makeup brushes is also necessary to keeping them in tip-top shape… I have had some of mine for 10+ years and counting (all M.A.C.), because I take care of them really well. Hmmm… I guess the (not so) small fortune I paid was definitely worth the investment.
A great rule of thumb is that any brush used on a liquid cosmetic (like concealer, foundation, eye primer, lipstick, cream eye shadow, etc.) should be cleaned EVERY SINGLE DAY. If you have sensitive, itchy, watery, allergy eyes- this will really help, I promise! It has worked wonders for me.
For all other brushes, they should be done at least once a week. Now, if I’m breaking out really badly- I will clean all of my brushes everyday until my skin clears up. I can’t tell you what a difference this one little, simple habit alone has made on my skin! I usually try to do them at night when I wash my face before bed… so they can dry overnight. When I’m cleaning them once a week- I usually try to stay on a schedule (like on laundry or cleaning day) so I don’t forget.
Wipe down ALL of your makeup containers and the inside of your makeup case or bag at least once a week also. I use Rubbing Alcohol on a Wash Cloth. Whatever you do, DO NOT wipe down the handles of your makeup brushes with Rubbing Alcohol- it will ruin them! I currently have a fabric makeup bag and brush roll, so both can go right in the wash and I’m done, Ta-da!

How To Clean Mac Brushes Without Cleaner Brush

What You Need:
  • Makeup Brushes
  • I use Dr. Bronner’s Baby Mild 18-in-1 Castile Soapor an old Face Wash I wasn’t crazy about (why waste it?)
  • A Dry Hand Towel
  • Toilet Paper, on the Roll
  • Somewhere Flat to Lay Them to Dry
A few little tips before we begin… Clean your brushes one at a time, using the same water temperature that you would use to wash our hair. Try to use something as natural as possible (like Baby Shampoo) without fragrance or dye- you can probably use whatever you use to wash your face, as long as there’s nothing harsh in it. Don’t scrub too hard (fragile like a flower LOL) and never stand your brushes up when they’re wet! Always air dry your brushes- but in case you have a hot date at the last minute, you can blow dry them on a cool, low setting… promise to only do this in an emergency though :)
  1. Wet your brush with the fluffy part pointing downwards so you don’t get the “ferrule” (metal part which contains glue) wet or drip water down the handle .
  2. Drop a tiny dot of the Dr. Bronner’s Shikakai Soap into your hand.
  3. Swirl the brush around gently in a circular motion and then switch it up.
  4. Rinse the brush, while leaving the dirty Soap in your hand… remember, “like” removes “like”. Check to see if the brush feels and looks clean. If not- repeat and rinse again. * If you’re still having trouble- you can use a tiny dab of Olive Oil first to loosen up the makeup and then shampoo. (I tired this method and it worked, but it bothered my eyes a little. Lots of makeup artists seem to do this though).
  5. If it’s clean, rinse your hand and your brush thoroughly until the water runs clear.
  6. Lay it flat on the dry towel and move on to the next brush.
Dry:
  1. Fold the towel over the brush head and gently press your brushes dry to rid them of any excess water.
  2. For the handles… take the towel and go from the metal part towards the handle end and wipe. Now hold onto the handle end and go towards the brush end and wipe over the metal. Ta-Da, clean handles!
  3. Take any brushes that get “too poofy” (like a Kabuki Brush) and loose their natural shape once they’re dry, and set them aside (See * below).
  4. Find a warm, dry place (sunny window sill works well) and lay down the towel.
  5. Reshape the brush bristles to their original shape and lay them flat on the towel to dry.
* For the really fluffy ones that “Fro” (for example, my M.A.C. 217 Brush), use the T.P. Trick…
  1. Take the brush and place it up against the toilet paper roll- and roll it up snugly (usually using anywhere between 1-3 squares, depending on brush size).
  2. Rip it off, trying to keep the T.P. taught.
  3. Now gently pull on the handle and slide the T.P. up over the fluffy part and place it with the rest of your brushes to dry.
  4. Wait to remove the T.P. until your brushes are completely dry.
This simple ritual has dramatically changed my skin… more than any product ever has. Once you get into the habit- it’s cake. If you need help, or need me to clarify anything… please don’t hesitate to ask. Or, if you have tips you want to share- hook it up! There are also a ton of really great videos on YouTube to help you with this- a lot of them just happen to use harsh chemical brush cleansers- so I didn’t want to include them.

How To Clean Mac Brushes Without Cleaner Stick

Buy it at: DrBronner.com
Happy Cleaning, Blush-Brushing Beauties! xoxo

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