I have washed my make up brushes in the washing machine

[TwoInTheMourning]

and they have come out fab!!

First I left them soaking in warm soapy water for a couple of hours to remove all the foundation build up. Then I put them in a net laundry bag and stack them in the washing machine with a dark load and sensitive liquid detergent. I dried them on the radiator inside the net bag. They are so clean fresh and soft now. LIKE NEW I TELL YOU!!!

Wow you are very brave!!!

I bought one of those rubber things with ridges that you stick on your finger to wash them and it's still a PITA.

Honestly they are absolutely fine, all of them Really look like new. They're Techniques, Aveda and Body Shop by the way.

I may have to try this....mine are a mix of Real Techniques, MAC, No 7 and body shop.

Water will get into the base though, which makes the bristles fall out.

Maybe. There's no way of telling is there. But when I hand wash my brushes water can get into the base too, so... I think I'll continue washing them in the washing machine and see...

Oh I washed mine today too! I used a little baby shampoo and did it by hand. Only took a few minutes.
They are like new again. I wouldn't put mine in a washing machine or use clothes washing detergent, even if it was mild.

I use a baby shampoo and let them dry overnight on the radiator, only takes a few minutes.

I love my makeup brushes and have spent a lot on them over the years, so I wouldn't soak the ferrules in water and risk damaging them. I wash them by hand and hold them so that only the bristles get wet and water can't run up the handle.

The glue will loosen soon enough..

Oh

I'll try the dishwasher next

I have three foundation brushes. I use them once or twice and then it goes to the bathroom shelf where it waits until I feel like cleaning it, having three gives me time if I don't feel like it straight away or I'm in a rush. I use the liquid hand soap. I do 2 or 3 wash/rinses and then "paint" the hand towel to get rid of excess water. It dries before I need to use it again. It takes about 2 minutes. I'd worry, given the ease of the task, about the brush being needlessly wet for the length of a laundry cycle, however you are a pioneer op. Will you please report back in 3, 6 and 12 months and let us know how your brushes have done? ??

Big fan of putting stuff in dishwasher or washing machine (I put a handbag in once came out great even with patent leather trim) I second the poster above please report back in a few months and let us know if they are still surviving!!

Having a little water in the base whilst hand washing them is a universe away then soaking them and then sitting it water in the washing machine!!! Please don't advise things that would wreck other people brushes - I would cry if I did this and ruined my brushes if I read it on here

I most certainly will, I have a strong sense of duty and proving the scepticts wrong

It's a bad bad idea.

The glue will be impacted and the bristles will fall out. If not immediately then certainly over time.

You should always wash brushes holding them vertically to stop water getting into the top of the brush.

Use a specialist brush cleaner or baby shampoo. Blot them with a tissue then leave to dry vertically ideally so no water drains into the core of the brush.

It's a really bad idea but if you can afford to replace your brushes often then I guess it's fine >.< I know hand washing them is a hassle but it's so much better for them. You're completely soaking them in water for a very long time which will constantly be drowning your brush ruining the handle and bristles. I wouldn't recommend this at all.

I'm not trying to self promote here, but I use a cheap facewash and as you can see from the photos it does the job perfectly and my brushes are like new each time from a gentle swirl in some facewash: beautyadoration.wordpress.com/2014/10/20/perfectly-clean-makeup-brushes-using-something-you-wouldnt-expect/

Are you a member of MrsGloss&TheGoss over on FB? There's a thread going on over there regarding this. Not sure if I'd be brave enough!

Why would you need to do that?

FINE! I won't tell you what I do with my cashmere and the microwave then.

[flounces off in a huff]

This thread! [GRIN]

The brushes will fall out, the handles will disintegrate anything left will melt overnight! You are DOOMED!

I wash my brushes with baby shampoo and leave them on a towel to dry - I roll another towel up and prop the brush handles on it so they aren't lying flat down. Seems to be keeping them in good nick!

Were your make up brushes okay in the end please?! X