8 DIY Reusable Makeup Remover Pads

If you're unfamiliar with facial and makeup removal pads and related items or have more specific questions, we're here to help

How to use a reusable face pad and what is it used for?
Face pads are handheld cushions that can be any shape, but most commonly round, square, or teardrop shapes. You can also create larger and thinner
reusable face wipes.

These replace standard single-use cotton balls, squares, or rounds that are sold in drug stores. Use them for applying facial products or removing them, whichever you need! You can also make larger versions for your kitchen needs, such as these Reusable Hanging Kitchen Towels.

Are cotton pads bad for the environment?
While cotton is natural, any single-use item is a strain on the environment. Manufacturing involves the destruction of resources and there are always chemicals involved in the factories that produce bags of cotton products. 

Are cotton balls recyclable?
No. Even new, cotton balls or other products cannot be recycled. You also want to avoid flushing them in a toilet as it can cause blockages and harm the water system.

What is the best fabric for reusable face wipes and pads?
DIY facial pads or wipes are the perfect replacement. For fabrics, the best options are bamboo velour, brushed cotton, fleece, jersey knit, microfiber, or terry cloth. It's also a fantastic scrapbusting and upcycling opportunity. Use old t-shirts, towels, or other soft fabrics you already have. Many of the tutorials and patterns below show you how.

Do you need to put oil on reusable makeup wipes?
If you want pre-wettened wipes or pads, you can use your favorite toners or products or a skin-tested oil that you would be using on your face anyway. However, it's easier and less wasteful to soak as needed as part of your routine.

How do you clean reusable makeup wipes?
It's best to wash these after every use to avoid bacteria and cross-contamination. This is why we recommend making enough for a weekly round and then washing them all at once.

How do you make homemade makeup remover?
You can find many tutorials that fit your needs. Our friends at DIYIdeaCenter have a few great options:

1. Easy Homemade Makeup Remover
2. Homemade Eye Makeup Remover
3. Coconut Oil Homemade Makeup Remover

These little circle or square DIY makeup pads come in handy in all parts of a routine in the morning or evening. Use them to put on or take off soap, makeup remover, toners, serums, moisturizers, makeup, and more. You can even use them outside of the bathroom. Once you've used them, simply wash and reuse them.
 

The Reusable Cotton Rounds Tutorial by Violeta at I Can Sew This results in soft circles without any raw edges, which makes reusing them over and over easy.

From the Designer: "There are no exposed raw edges here because I wanted to be able to throw the cotton pads in the washing machine and never worry about them fraying or not keeping their shape. This simple, low-stake project is a great introduction to sewing smooth curves."
 

The Washable Face Wipes by Linda at Sewing Bee Fabrics are larger and made from old scraps you have around the home. Because of the size, these can replace washcloths or nappies, too.

From the Designer: "We use cloth nappies in our house and cloth wipes on hands and bums, so I figured it was about time I changed my disposable makeup remover face wipe habits and made myself some reusable face fluff!"
 

The Scrapbusting Reusable Makeup Remover Pads by Victoria at Vintage Lifestyle also comes with a tutorial for a washing bag. These thrifty circles are soft and pretty, too.

From the Designer: "This scrapbusting DIY is perfect for beginners and/or someone who doesn’t have a whole lot of time to spend on sewing. You can make a set of Reusable Makeup Remover Pads plus a washing bag with a zipper for them under an hour if you use a sewing machine."
 

The DIY Reusable Makeup Remover Pads by Heather at Heather Handmade are substantially padded and quite darling as well.

From the Designer: "I love using these every night as part of my nighttime routine. I don’t mind having to wash them every week to keep up. Learn how to make DIY reusable makeup remover pads to help you save money and create less waste. It’s a great scrap fabric sewing project!"
 

The Petal-Shaped Reusable Makeup Remover Pads by Rochelle at eSheep Designs are a unique shape that allows more precision in your morning or evening routine. 

From the Designer: "If the round and square shapes that you've seen haven't convinced you to make the switch, take a closer look here. Mine is tear drop shaped (template provided), fits comfortably in your fingers, and has a line of stitching down the middle to hold all the layers together to prevent bunching and rolling."
 

The DIY Makeup Remover Wipes by Laura at A Beautiful Mess are super luxe and stylish to boot. You don't have to keep them locked in a cabinet when they look this nice.

From the Designer: "I don’t wear makeup every day, but when I do, I didn’t like the number of cotton rounds that I was going through to take off the makeup, so I thought some reusable (washable!) makeup wipes would be perfect for the job!"
 

The Easy DIY Makeup Remover Wipes by Damjana at AppleGreenCottage are basic beauties. They look nice and get the job done in fashion.

From the Designer: "These sewed, reusable make-up remover pads replace the classic disposable wipes, for a zero-waste beauty routine. A great economical and eco-friendly alternative to cotton rounds you can use them to remove makeup, wash your face, and take a small step towards reducing your personal waste."
 

The DIY Reusable Makeup Remover Rounds by Hannah at The Homesteady started with white but then realized a reversible tan and black round was the winning combination.

From the Designer: "Smears of black and brown make them look shabby and dirty, even when they're clean. So I decided to make my own reversible makeup pads that have (hooray!) been hiding nasty old makeup."