How To Use & Clean Reusable Makeup Pads
These days, becoming more sustainable is about making simple swaps in your everyday life. We’re taking our canvas bags to the grocery store, opting for eco-friendly beauty products and toting our beloved water bottles with us wherever we go. When making more sustainable choices, makeup wipes and single-use cotton rounds often come under fire. But swapping them out doesn’t need to be a chore. Reusable makeup pads are just as efficient in removing makeup and can be washed and used again and again. So, there’s the question of the day – what is the best way to clean reusable makeup pads?
How to use reusable makeup remover pads
The magic of reusable makeup remover pads is that they’re just as simple and convenient as their single-use counterparts. Perhaps you’re an avid user of makeup wipes. Or you’re a lover of micellar water, hydrating toners and liquid exfoliants and a cotton round is your go-to mode of application. Whatever your preferred facial cleansing method, trading them in for a sustainable alternative couldn’t be easier. Here’s our three-step process for how to use reusable makeup remover pads.
1. Saturate the cotton round with product
The first step in how to use reusable cotton pads is to saturate the reusable makeup pad with your liquid product. Reusable pads combine excellently with micellar water – whether you prefer a
classic Micellar Cleansing Water or a deeper cleanse with a Micellar Cleansing Water in Oil which can tackle even waterproof makeup.
2. Glide the cotton round over your face
Now, gently swipe your reusable cotton round across your face, paying extra attention to the corners of your nose, eyes, and other spots where dry skin and dirt can build up. Good news – this
step will also lightly exfoliate the surface of your skin, leaving you smooth and refreshed.
How to clean reusable makeup pads
The benefits of eco cotton rounds are clear – and the next step is to learn how to clean reusable makeup pads to keep them fresh, hygienic and long-lasting. You’ll want your makeup pads to be free of foundation, mascara and other makeup residue before using them again. There are two ways to go about cleansing your makeup pads: by hand, or in the washing machine. First, let’s unpack how to wash reusable cotton pads in the washing machine.
How to wash reusable cotton pads in washing machine
For a reusable cotton round like Garnier’s Micellar Eco Pads, you can add them to your weekly laundry pile to wash with your regular detergent. Here are a couple of handy tips for how to wash reusable cotton pads in washing machine:
- Tip 1: Always check washing instructions for the reusable cotton pads you have purchased, as some fabrics may require specific care.
- Tip 2: If you have a laundry bag for delicates handy, this can help keep your cotton rounds together and prevent any from going missing in the wash.
- Tip 3: Be sure to avoid using a fabric softener, as this will create a film on the surface of your makeup pads and prevent them from absorbing product properly in the future.
- Tip 4: Dry the makeup pads flat to encourage them to retain their shape, and voilà!
How to wash reusable cotton pads in washing machine
Hand washing your makeup pads in the sink is a gentler method which may extend their lifespan as it causes less stress to the fabric. For how to wash reusable cotton rounds by hand, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Douse your cotton pad in warm water, ideally soon after use so makeup or product hasn’t had a chance to set in.
- Step 2: Apply a gentle soap to the pad and massage to loosen product or build-up.
- Step 3: Rinse the pad in in warm water. Cleanse and rinse until the water runs clear – one to two times should be enough.
- Step 4: Lay on a flat surface to dry such as a windowsill or flat drying rack.
How often should you wash reusable cotton pads?
To prolong the lifespan of your reusable cotton pads, it’s best to wash them quickly after each use. If you’re planning to wash by hand, you can do this at the end of each day or directly after use. If you’re going to be washing your cotton pads via machine wash, just give them a quick rinse after use so you can launder them later without creating any hard-to-remove stains.
Can you use reusable cotton pads for toner?
Reusable cotton pads are the ideal size and texture for toner, and an eco-friendly alternative to single use cotton rounds. Soak the cotton pad in your toner of choice and swipe across skin to hydrate and smooth.
How to remove stains from reusable cotton pads
If you’ve washed your reusable cotton pad and there is a stain or two remaining, rest assured they are still safe and hygienic to use. But, for a stain-free experience, try massaging with dish soap and rinsing to loosen the product. If that’s not enough, create a paste with one teaspoon of bicarb soda and a few drops of water, rub into the stain, leave on for a few minutes and rinse.
Are reusable cotton pads hygienic?
If you’re washing your reusable makeup pads between uses, hygiene won’t be an issue. Use soap when washing by hand, or detergent when machine washing, and they’ll be perfectly sanitary to reuse!
Keen to up your eco beauty game? Read our five sustainable beauty tips for beginners now.
