How to Clean Paint Brushes
This step-by-step guide teaches you the best ways to clean water-based and oil-based paint off of paint brushes and provides storage and drying tips.
I love adding a fresh coat of paint to almost anything—whether it’s a piece of furniture or brightening up a room with a new color. There’s something so satisfying about the way paint can completely change a space or a project.
But at the same time, I’ll be the first to admit I haven’t always been great at cleaning my paintbrushes. There have been plenty of times when I’ve forgotten to clean them after a project (oops!). Luckily, I now know how to clean a dried paintbrush.
Even if you do rinse them after use every time, over time, paint starts to build up in the bristles. Ultimately, your brush just won’t work the way it used to—leaving streaks or clumps.
After tossing out a few too many brushes, I have realized how important it is to properly care for them so they last for the long haul. Taking just a few extra minutes to clean them thoroughly can make all the difference. It not only saves you money but also keeps your brushes performing like new for many more projects. I started caring for my brushes in the last few months, and I can see the difference it makes. The brushes not only look better, they give me better results.
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How to Clean Water-Based Paint Brushes
Water-based paint includes latex, chalk paint, and acrylic paint, which are commonly used in DIY projects and arts and crafts.
Fortunately, these paints are usually easy to clean up and only require water and dish soap.
Here is how to wash a paintbrush when using latex or acrylic paint:
- As soon as you are done painting, rinse the brush under cold running water while using your fingers to gently work any excess paint out of the bristles.
- Apply a small amount of mild dish soap to the bristles, then gently massage in the soap. Once the soap has been worked in, rinse the brush until the water runs clear.
- Run a fine-tooth comb or a paint brush comb through the brush to remove any extra paint and realign the bristles. This will help maintain the brush’s shape when it dries, making it easier to paint with the next time you use it. (This step was a definite game changer for me.)
How to Clean Oil Paint Brushes
I don’t use oil paint very often because cleaning it is always a hassle. Plus, they have a lot of fumes and VOCs. However, there are situations where oil-based paints have advantages.
Though the oil-based paint used for DIY projects differs from the oil paints used in fine arts, cleaning it off paintbrushes is pretty much the same.
To clean oil paint brushes, you will need either:
- Turpentine
- Paint thinner
- Mineral spirits
Safety Note: When cleaning paint brushes with solvents, always work in a well-ventilated area to avoid breathing them in, and wear gloves to protect your skin.
Here’s how to clean paint brushes that have oil-based paint.
- Wipe off as much excess paint as possible with a paper towel. This will help the solvent saturate the brush bristles.
- Pour a small amount of the solvent you are using into a container. Then, dip the brush into the solvent and gently swish it around to release the paint. If necessary, repeat this step multiple times with clean solvent until most of the paint has been removed. You can also leave it to soak for a little while.
- Remove the brush from the solvent and try to remove as much solvent as possible.
- Following the same process we used for water-based paint brush cleaning, rinse the brush under cold water and massage the bristles with mild dish soap to remove any leftover solvent and paint residue.
- Run a comb or old fork through the paint bristles to realign them. Place on a paper towel or drying rack to dry.
IMPORTANT! Do not throw solvents down the drain. Check with your local regulations for recycling centers where you can take them for recycling.
What to Do After Washing Paint Brushes
Once the paintbrush has been washed, it is important to dry it the right way to keep it in good shape. How you dry and store your brushes can also greatly affect their quality and longevity.
- Once the brush is rinsed and free from leftover paint, lightly squeeze it and shake off excess water.
- Gently blot the bristles on a clean cloth or paper towel. Do not aggressively bend or twist the bristles at this stage, as this can damage the brush and affect its shape once it dries.
- Lay the brush flat on an absorbent surface or hang it with the bristles facing down to dry completely. Never store a brush with the bristles facing up, as this can cause water to seep into the handle, loosen the glue holding the bristles, and start rusting the metallic parts.
- Once it has dried, keep it in a cabinet or in its cover to keep dust out of the bristles.
Brush Maintenance Tips
- Don’t overload the paintbrush with paint. Not only will this waste paint, but it will also soak into the metallic part, which can damage it and be hard to clean up.
- If you are not going to reuse them, clean them immediately. It is possible to remove dried paint but it can be hard on the bristles.
- If you are taking a break between coats, wrap the wet paintbrush between coats in plastic wrap to prevent the drying process from starting while you wait. Paintbrush covers are a great option, too.
- Store the brush flat or hang it with bristles facing down to keep the shape of the bristles. If the brush came with a cover, you want to save it and use it to protect the bristles from dust. Or you can keep it in a cabinet.
These tips and cleaning ideas should help extend the life of your paintbrush and make sure that they are at their best for your next project.
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Anika's goal is to inspire and empower beginners with woodworking, DIY, home improvement, and home decor ideas.
She wants everyone to unlock their creative potential and experience the feeling that comes with making something. Nothing feels better better than seeing something and saying "I can make that!"