Short answer: Empty it, wipe the lining and outside with a damp cloth and a little mild soap, wipe again with plain water, then leave it open until completely dry. For faux leather, skip alcohol and disinfecting wipes: the CDC says soap and water removes most germs, and sanitizers are among the chemicals that break down polyurethane coatings.
By the Belle Vault Editorial Team · Sources checked September 30, 2026
The lining has a tan smear where a compact cracked, a ring of something shiny where a lip gloss leaked, and a faint powder haze in every corner. The obvious fix is the pack of disinfecting wipes under the sink.
For a lot of makeup bags, that is the wrong tool. The research on what lives in a makeup kit, and on what breaks down faux leather, points to a gentler routine: soap and water for the bag, and a fully dry bag before anything goes back in.
Here is what the studies found, and a cleaning method for each common bag material.
What is actually in there
Study one: used makeup products
Researchers at Aston University tested used makeup products donated by consumers in the UK and found bacterial contamination in 79% to 90% of them, depending on the product type [1]. The widely shared figure of "more than nine in ten" comes from the university's press release rather than the paper itself [2].
Study two: used makeup brushes
A 2025 study of 57 used makeup brushes found bacterial growth on every one of them, mostly common skin bacteria [3].
Aston University study of used products [1]; Attar & Imam, International Journal of Microbiology, 2025 [3]. Detecting bacteria is not the same as causing infection.
Before those numbers alarm you: finding bacteria on a used product is not the same as finding a health risk. Skin carries bacteria all the time, and neither study measured infections. What the numbers do say is that a makeup bag holds items that are not sterile, and a warm, closed, slightly damp bag is a comfortable place for those bacteria to stay.
The counterintuitive part: cleaning, not disinfecting
The CDC separates the two. Cleaning, with soap, water and scrubbing, removes most germs, dirt and impurities. Disinfecting, with bleach solutions or other chemicals, kills them. For most household surfaces, the CDC says cleaning alone removes most harmful bacteria and viruses, and it recommends disinfecting mainly when someone is sick or at higher risk [4].
For a faux leather bag, there is a second reason to reach for soap first. Most vegan leather is fabric coated with polyurethane. A U.S. textile trade association lists cleaning chemicals, sanitizers and disinfectants among the factors that contribute to polyurethane breakdown, alongside heat and humidity [5]. Frequent wiping with alcohol-based wipes is the kind of routine that speeds that up.
So the harsher option is not the more thorough one here. It is the one more likely to leave you with a peeling bag.
How to clean it, by material
| Material | Clean with | Avoid | Dry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faux or vegan leather (PU) | Damp cloth, a drop of mild soap; wipe, then wipe again with plain water | Alcohol wipes, bleach, soaking | Open, air-dry away from heat and sun |
| Coated canvas or nylon | Damp cloth and mild soap; soft brush for seams | Machine washing unless the label allows it | Open, fully dry inside and out |
| Clear TPU or PVC | Warm water with mild dish soap or baby shampoo; rinse, dry with a lint-free cloth | Abrasive pads | Towel-dry, then air-dry |
| Fabric pouch | Follow the care label; many hand-wash in cool water | Hot water and the dryer, which can shrink or warp | Flat, fully dry before use |
Methods from the CDC [4], the Association for Contract Textiles [5], and Etoile's care guide for clear bags [6] (brand source). Always check your bag's own care instructions first.
Clear bags that look cloudy are a common complaint. One maker of clear cosmetic bags attributes the haze to a buildup of dirt, oil and product residue, and recommends mild soap and warm water, then a thorough rinse [6]. That is a brand's advice, not a study, but it matches the general rule: mild soap first.
Dry matters as much as clean
The EPA says that if wet or damp materials are dried within 24 to 48 hours of a leak or spill, in most cases mold will not grow [7]. A makeup bag zipped shut while still damp inside, then stored in a humid bathroom, is the situation to avoid. Leave it open until it is completely dry, including seams and corners, before you repack it.
Belle Vault editorial routine, built on CDC cleaning guidance [4] and EPA drying guidance [7].
What to do with this
- Use soap and water, not disinfecting wipes, for routine cleaning. The CDC says cleaning removes most germs, and sanitizers are among the factors that break down polyurethane [4][5].
- Wipe the products, not just the bag. The contamination in both studies was on the products and tools you put back in [1][3].
- Let it dry open, fully, before repacking. Damp and zipped is the condition mold needs [7].
For keeping brushes dry in transit, see how to pack makeup brushes, and for why bathroom humidity ages faux leather, see why makeup bags peel. The Belle Vault Travel Makeup Bag has a wipe-clean lining.
Keep reading
Frequently asked questions
How do I clean the inside of a makeup bag?
Empty it, shake out loose powder, then wipe the lining with a damp cloth and a drop of mild soap. Wipe again with a cloth dampened in plain water to lift the soap film, and leave the bag open until it is completely dry, including the seams, before putting anything back.
Can I use disinfecting wipes on a faux leather makeup bag?
It is better not to make it a habit. Faux leather is usually polyurethane-coated fabric, and a U.S. textile trade association lists cleaning chemicals, sanitizers and disinfectants among the factors that break polyurethane down. The CDC says soap and water removes most germs for everyday cleaning.
Can I put my makeup bag in the washing machine?
Only if its care label says so. Many fabric pouches can be hand- or machine-washed cool, but coated, structured and faux leather bags can lose their shape or coating in a machine. When there is no label, a damp cloth with mild soap is the safe default.
How do I get a clear makeup bag un-cloudy?
One maker of clear bags attributes cloudiness to a buildup of dirt, oil and product residue and recommends warm water with a little mild dish soap or baby shampoo, a thorough rinse, and drying with a lint-free cloth. Avoid abrasive pads, which scratch clear plastic and make it look hazier.
How dirty is a makeup bag?
The contents usually carry more than the bag. Studies found bacteria on 79% to 90% of used makeup products and on all 57 used brushes tested. Finding bacteria does not mean a product will cause infection; if you have skin or eye concerns, a dermatologist or doctor is the right person to ask.
How often should I clean my makeup bag?
We did not find research that sets a schedule. A practical rule is to clean it whenever something spills, and before and after a trip, since that is when it is packed full and kept closed. What matters most in the research is that it goes back together dry.
How we sourced this
Contamination figures come from two independent studies, one of used products and one of used brushes, reported separately with the caveat that detecting bacteria is not the same as causing infection. Cleaning guidance comes from the CDC and EPA; the material concern comes from a textile trade association (an industry source, not peer-reviewed). The clear-bag advice is from a bag maker and is labelled as a brand source. We found no research on how often to clean a makeup bag.
- Bashir, A., & Lambert, P. Microbiological study of used cosmetic products: highlighting possible impact on consumer health. Journal of Applied Microbiology. research.aston.ac.uk
- ScienceDaily (December 2, 2019). The deadly superbugs lurking in more than nine in ten make-up bags (Aston University press summary). sciencedaily.com
- Attar, R. M. S., & Imam, M. A. (2025). Assessing the levels and types of bacterial contamination in cosmetic brushes. International Journal of Microbiology. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When and how to clean and disinfect your home. cdc.gov
- Association for Contract Textiles. Hydrolysis: what you need to know. Industry source. contracttextiles.org
- Etoile Collective. How to remove cloudiness from clear TPU makeup bags. Brand source. etoile.com
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A brief guide to mold, moisture and your home. epa.gov
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