How to Clean Reusable Makeup Pads

Reusable makeup pads pick up makeup remover, toner, and skincare product residue every time you use them. Cleaning them properly keeps them effective and hygienic. The good news: it requires no special products, no separate wash cycle, and less than a minute of your attention per week.

The Standard Method: Machine Wash

Place your used LastRound pads in the mesh laundry bag that comes with the set. Add the mesh bag to your regular laundry. Wash at 30°C on a standard cycle. That is it.

The mesh bag keeps the pads together, prevents them from getting lost in the drum, and protects the fabric fibres during the wash. Do not skip the bag — without it, the pads can collect lint from other items and lose their texture over multiple washes.

Detergent: Your regular laundry detergent works fine. Avoid fabric softener — it coats the fibres and reduces the pads' ability to remove makeup over time.

Temperature: 30°C is sufficient for thorough cleaning and gentle on the fabric. A 40°C wash is fine occasionally for a deeper clean, but not necessary as a routine.

Drying

Air drying is ideal — hang the pads or lay them flat after washing. They dry quickly given their small size. Tumble drying on low heat is also fine and will not damage the pads. Avoid high heat, which can affect the plant-based fibres over many cycles.

Spot Cleaning Between Washes

If a pad is heavily soiled with waterproof mascara or thick foundation, a quick hand rinse before adding it to the wash bag helps. Run the pad under warm water and gently work a small amount of cleanser or mild soap into the fabric with your fingers. Rinse thoroughly, then add to the mesh bag for the regular wash.

You do not need to hand wash every pad after every use — the machine wash handles it. Spot cleaning is for heavy or stubborn stains only.

How Often to Wash

Most people find a weekly wash works well. With 7 pads in a set (one per day), you wash the full set once a week with your regular laundry. If you use two pads per day (morning and evening routine), a mid-week wash keeps you supplied.

The LastRound case has two compartments — clean pads on one side, used pads on the other. Once the used compartment is full, it is time to wash.

What to Avoid

• Fabric softener — coats fibres and reduces performance over time
• High-heat drying — can affect the plant-based material over many cycles
• Bleach — unnecessary and damaging to the fabric
• Skipping the mesh bag — leads to lint accumulation and potential fabric stress
• Washing with heavy items like denim — can cause unnecessary abrasion; wash with lighter fabrics

When to Replace Them

LastRound pads are designed to last for years with regular use and washing. Signs that a pad needs replacing: fraying at the edges, significant pilling on the textured side, or loss of absorbency. With proper care, most users find the pads last 2–3 years or longer before any degradation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wash LastRound pads with my normal clothes?

Yes. Add the mesh bag to any regular wash load. They are most at home with lighter fabrics — cotton T-shirts, underwear, towels. Avoid washing with heavy denim or items with rough zips or velcro that could snag the pads.

Do the pads stain permanently?

Most makeup washes out cleanly. Stubborn items — certain foundations, heavy mascara, self-tanner — may leave a faint tint over time. This does not affect the pad's cleaning performance; it is cosmetic only. A pre-treatment with a mild stain remover before washing can help with heavy staining.

How many pads do I need for weekly washing?

The standard set of 7 (one per day) works perfectly for a weekly wash routine. If you prefer not to wash weekly, two sets of 7 gives you a full fortnight before washing is needed.

Can I use a dishwasher instead of a washing machine?

Not recommended. Dishwasher detergents are harsher than laundry detergent and the high-heat drying cycle is more aggressive than tumble drying on low. A 30°C machine wash is gentler and more effective.

Do the pads shed fibres onto my face?

New LastRound pads may shed a small number of fibres during the first few washes — this is normal and settles after 2–3 wash cycles. After the initial washes, shedding is minimal. The pads are designed with low-lint fabric specifically to address this.