How to Clean Your Tanning Mitt

Short answer: Wash your tanning mitt every 2 to 3 tans, more often if you tan weekly. Rinse it, work in a mild soap, gently scrub any stained areas, rinse thoroughly, and air dry flat, never in the dryer. A dirty mitt causes streaking, wastes product, and transfers old buildup back onto your skin at your next application.

Table of Contents

• Why Cleaning Your Tanning Mitt Actually Matters
• The Skin Health Side of a Dirty Mitt
• What You Need to Clean Your Tanning Mitt
• Hand Washing Your Mitt Step by Step
• Machine Washing Your Mitt
• How Often to Actually Wash It
• Frequently Asked Questions

Let's be honest, nobody wakes up thinking about cleaning their tanning mitt. But if you're an avid self-tanner, your mitt is doing more work than you realize, and how you treat it shows up in your results every time you use it.

Why Cleaning Your Tanning Mitt Actually Matters

I've been doing spray tans professionally for years, and I can tell you firsthand: a dirty mitt causes real problems. Buildup in the mitt means streaking happens easily, and it also means you end up using more product than you actually need, because a saturated mitt won't absorb new tanner properly. Instead of soaking in and applying evenly, the product just sits on top of old residue.

My husband Patt has been tanning my back with a mitt for almost a decade at this point. It's basically clockwork for us. But even after all these years, he can tell immediately if the mitt is old or hasn't been cleaned in a while. It won't lay down the same way. It feels more coarse instead of seamless. And he knows right away that's not a MAKAI self tanner problem, that's a mitt maintenance problem.

The Skin Health Side of a Dirty Mitt

Beyond getting a better-looking tan, there's a real hygiene reason to keep your mitt clean. Every time you use it, the mitt collects leftover self tanner, dead skin cells, natural oils, sweat, and whatever else was on your skin that day. If you keep using the same mitt without washing it, all of that buildup transfers right back onto your skin during your next application.

A dirty mitt doesn't automatically cause skin problems, but it's less hygienic, and it may contribute to clogged pores or irritation, especially if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that tools which repeatedly touch the skin, like makeup brushes and applicators, should be cleaned regularly to avoid transferring built-up bacteria and residue back onto skin. From our perspective, cleaning your mitt is no different than washing your makeup brushes or your workout clothes. It's just part of a healthy routine. A clean mitt applies more evenly, but it also means you're starting every application on a fresh surface instead of one coated in old product and buildup.

What You Need to Clean Your Tanning Mitt

• Mild soap or detergent
• Lukewarm water
• A clean, soft cloth or sponge
• A towel for drying
• Optional: a dedicated tanning mitt cleaning solution

A clean mitt keeps your glow streak-free, but if you're unsure what removes self tanner, that guide walks through it. Prep work and tool care go hand in hand too, so it also helps to know how to exfoliate bikini area before your next session.

Hand Washing Your Mitt Step by Step

Here's how I actually do it:

1. Rinse it first. Shake off any excess tanning lotion, then run the mitt under lukewarm water until the water runs clear.
2. Soap it up. Use a small amount of mild soap or detergent and work it into a light lather.
3. Scrub gently. Focus on any stained areas with a soft sponge or brush, but don't be rough with it. You're cleaning it, not scrubbing a pan.
4. Rinse thoroughly. Make sure every bit of soap is out. Any leftover residue can cause streaking on your next tan.
5. Squeeze and reshape. Press out the excess water gently, don't wring it, and reshape it while it's still damp.
6. Air dry completely. Lay it flat on a clean towel. The dryer is off limits here.

The MAKAI mitt holds up well to this process and is built to handle regular washing without breaking down.

Machine Washing Your Mitt

If you're short on time, you can also machine wash it:

1. Rinse off excess tanner first.
2. Toss it in with your next dark load.
3. Use a cool, delicate cycle.
4. Air dry flat. Still no dryer.

Store your mitt somewhere clean and dry, not in a damp bathroom corner. And if it's starting to look like it's been through a war, that's your sign it's time for a new one. If product does end up somewhere it shouldn't in the meantime, our guide on how to get self tanner out of clothes walks through exactly what to do.

How Often to Actually Wash It

Here's the thing. I own the company, so I could technically grab a brand new mitt every single time I tan. Even with that access, I still wash mine every 2 to 3, sometimes 3 to 4, tans. That's the real standard I'd give anyone, professional access or not.

I like to explain it two different ways depending on who I'm talking to. For the women, think of it like your makeup brushes. You already know how much better your makeup looks, and how much less product you use, once you've got clean brushes instead of old, caked-up ones. A clean mitt costs a lot less than a new one. You just have to actually clean it sometimes.

For the men, think of it like changing the oil in your car. Nobody wants to sit in the shop waiting on an oil change, unless you're one of those people who genuinely enjoys it, more power to you. But that's how you keep your car running well. A clean mitt is the same idea. Small maintenance, big payoff.

You can use these same steps to clean the tanning mitt for your back too.

You can also watch our full guide on application here, including more on why a clean mitt makes such a difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I wash my tanning mitt?

Wait until your tan has fully developed and you've had your first shower. The day after tanning is the right time.

How often should I wash my tan mitt?

If you're tanning weekly, wash it every two to three tans at minimum. Less frequent tanners can stretch it to every second or third use.

Can I use a dryer to dry my mitt?

No. Heat will shrink and warp it. Air dry only.

Can I machine wash my tanning mitt?

Yes. Rinse off excess tanner first, then wash it on a cool, delicate cycle with a dark load, and air dry flat afterward.

What happens if I never clean my tanning mitt?

Buildup makes the mitt saturated, so new product sits on top of old residue instead of applying evenly, leading to streaking and wasted tanner.

Is a dirty tanning mitt bad for my skin?

It is not automatically harmful, but it is less hygienic and can contribute to clogged pores or irritation, especially for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Bottom Line

MAKAI self tanner really is great, and while we believe it's the best out there, even the best formula can't fully make up for a mitt that hasn't been taken care of. A clean mitt saves you time, product, and money in the long run. Your tanner goes further, it applies smoother, and you won't have to hear Patt's voice in your head reminding you to clean your mitt.

Shop Self Tanner.