Self Care Sunday: A Cleaning Guide for Millennials

For me, a clear mind starts with a clean environment. I like to keep the spa in tip-top shape so that my clients can have a relaxed, stress-free experience. And they love it! My clients often remark about the cleanliness of the spa and, to my surprise, ask for tips on how to tidy up their homes. Specifically, they ask about how often they should be cleaning things like makeup brushes or pillow cases but I've also been asked about how often one should mop the floors or change their bedding or their oven??? I know, it's a bit weird to ask your esthetician some of these questions but I totally understand since I, too, am a millennial and have never set foot in a home economics class in my life. So, I've decided to make this handy post to reference how often you should clean things.

How often should I clean my makeup brushes?

You should clean your makeup brushes after each use by using a makeup remover wipe and spraying the brushes with an antibacterial makeup brush cleaner. (The Sephora brand makeup brush cleaner is just fine for this and it's $8.50!) If you're a daily (or almost daily) makeup wearer, you'll want to deep clean your makeup brushes once a week.To deep clean your makeup brushes you'll want to use a moisturizing dishwashing liquid soap (Dawn is my go-to here) and either a bit of olive oil or grapeseed oil. My method of measurement is two parts dishwashing liquid and one part oil. Swirl your brushes in the mixture and then gently run the bristles of the brush back and forth in the palm of your hand. Rinse under running water until clear. On a clean towel, lay your makeup brushes flat to dry and cover with a paper towel.

Can I clean my beauty blender?

Yes and no. On the surface, you can clean your beauty blenders and remove them of dirt. But it's more difficult to clean your beauty blenders to rid them of bacteria and fungus. Zapping your beauty blender in the microwave or throwing it in the wash (preferably in a cycle using hot water and bleach) works best for giving your beauty blender the ultimate cleanse. You can also place it in a UV sanitizer once you've zapped/washed it to be sure to rid of bacteria and fungus. And you'll want to do this once per week. Unless you are a MUA looking to use the same beauty blender on multiple clients. Don't. Use a disposable, please.

Do I need to clean my makeup bag?

Yes, it's a good idea to wipe your bag and palettes down weekly. You can do so with an antibacterial wipe.

What about cleaning my makeup? How do I do it?

Clean your makeup by spraying your products with 100% isopropyl alcohol and then using a makeup remover wipe to clean. This is imperative for lipsticks, blushes, cream/powder foundations, mascara wands, and any palette makeup.

How often should I clean my phone?

Smartphones are super smart but they can still harbor a world of bacteria that can cause us to breakout. We should aim to clean our phones daily by using an antibacterial wipe made specifically for smart devices. These are easy to find on Amazon (search "wireless wipes" or "zagg wipes antibacterial screen wipes"). Wipe your phone down at the end of each day. And if you want to take things a step further, look for a UV sanitizing light for your device.

When should I change my sheets?

You should change your sheets weekly, according to the experts at the National Sleep Foundation. Why is this? Well, even if you're wearing pajamas, you still leave skin cells, mites, dust particles, sweat, makeup, etc. while you're sleeping. Those of us with back acne or keratosis pilaris may be more susceptible to breakouts as a result of this buildup in our sheets than others.

Okay, but what about cleaning my blankets and comforters?

This is where the experts and I don't quite agree. The National Sleep Foundation recommends cleaning your blankets at least once per quarter (once every three months). I, on the other hand, say clean your blankets and comforters at least once per month. And know your fabrics. Not every blanket and comforter can go in the wash, some have to be taken to the dry cleaners.

...And what about pillows?

Well, your pillow cases will be covered with the whole changing of the sheets weekly thing I mentioned two questions ago. But your actual pillows should be cleaned about once every 6 months according to the National Sleep Foundation. I wash my pillows about once every three months. But this cleaning cycle is totally dependent on use and the pillow itself. Foam pillows can't be cleaned so you can only replace with new ones. Down pillows should be dry cleaned only.

How often should I change my towels?

You should get a new drying towel (hair/body) after every three uses, a new hand towel every other day, and a new face cloth daily. If you just read that schedule and are feeling completely overwhelmed, changing them weekly is fine too.

When should I clean the bathroom?

Bathrooms should be cleaned twice a week. Just think about it, that's where all the bacteria happens. And that's part of the reason experts suggest changing the towels so frequently. You should clean your shower after each use. You should also wipe down the toilet seats, toilet handle, and your faucet nightly with antibacterial/antifungal wipes. The more people in your living space, the more often you should clean.

When should I clean the kitchen?

The kitchen can be cleaned weekly. During your weekly cleaning, you'll want to sweep and mop the floors, wipe down everything with antibacterial/antifungal wipes (the refrigerator doors, the stove, the microwave, the kettle, everything!), wash the dishes, wash the sponges you use to wash the dishes, sanitize all countertops, etc.