My four daughters and I used to just use our brushes until they were no longer any good, throw away and then buy new ones. Thought I would try this for them after seeing a study on the Today show about how quickly bacteria can build up on older makeup and brushes. This cleaner is very easy to use, and the best part is that the brushes dry real fast so you don't have to go too long without using them if you're waiting for them to dry. I feel it's a safer option for my girls, reducing their chance of contracting any bacteria on their brushes with prolonged use. They also found it very easy to use.