How To Clean Paint Brushes: A Professional Painter’s Guide

How To Clean Paint Brushes: A Professional Painter’s Guide project, one of the first things on your mind will be how to clean your dust particles brushes.Don’t worry! As a professional painter and a designer, I own several high-quality paint brushes, and I make sure that conscientiously  clean them after every use.

Paint Brush Care

 At first rule in the care of my brushes is to never, under any condition, leave them in a cleaning solvent such as mineral spirits. in this article, I will look at the best practices for cleaning paint brushes and rollers, the tools and materials needed and step-by-step instructions. Also, I will share how you can successfully dry your brushes once you finish cleaning.

How to get dried paint out of brushes

You can wrap your paintbrush bristles in clingfilm to keep the paint from drying out when you take a break. But if you accidentally leave your how to clean paint brushes brush out and the paint dries, don’t worry—you can still save it!

Here’s what to do:

1. Make a Soapy Water Mix: Fill a container with warm, soapy water.
2. Soak the Brush: Dip the bristles in the soapy water and let them soak.
3. Work the Bristles: Use your fingers to gently rub the bristles and help loosen the paint. Soak again for about 30 minutes.
4. Brush Off the Paint: Use a stiff wire brush to gently scrub the bristles, following the direction of the bristles. Rinse under clean water.
5. Repeat If Needed: Keep repeating this process until all the paint is gone.

Your brush can be good as new!

How to look after your paint brushes – OIL BRUSHES

When it comes to oils, you need some kind of solvent. This can be something very basic. Someone once recommended baby oil to me – it worked a little, but it’s better suited for babies.

Schmincke makes a good brush cleaner with orange terpene that works well for both oil and acrylic paints. It smells nice but can make your eyes water, so it’s best to use it in a well-ventilated area.

“The Master’s” Brush Cleaner and Preserver seems gentle, but it works well for cleaning oil brushes. It’s a bit harder to use near the ferrule than a liquid cleaner, even with a coil, but it does a great job and has a regular spot in my studio.

BRUSH CLEANING: OIL

How to Clean Oil Brushes

You can clean your oil brushes with a strong liquid like White Spirit or turpentine. These work fast but can be harsh. A gentler method uses olive oil and soap, which takes a bit longer but is more natural.

Using a Solvent

1. Soak your brush in a container with the solvent.
2. Move the brush around to dissolve the paint.
3. Rinse the brush.
4. Rub the brush on an olive oil-based soap, then rinse with water.
5. Let it dry on a flat cloth.

Using Olive Oil and Soap

1. Pour a little olive oil into a container.
2. Dip the brush tip into the oil to remove most of the paint.
3. Do the same with a small amount of liquid soap or solid soap.
4. Rinse the brush after it’s soaked in soap.
5. Rub the brush through your hand to dry it and check for paint.
6. Gently wipe it and let it dry flat.

Can I use a hose to clean paint brushes? 

If you’re using water-based paint and have a space outside to clean your brushes, using a hose is a good idea.

1. First, remove as much paint as you can by wiping the brush on a cloth or newspaper.
2. Hold the brush down and away from you over a spot where you don’t mind getting paint.
3. Start spraying the brush with water. You can also spray into a large container, like an empty bucket or paint can, to catch the water.
4. Keep spraying until the water runs clear.
5. Shake the brush to dry it.

Brush Anatomy

The Handle: This is what you hold. Handles come in different lengths. Long handles are good for big strokes on an easel, letting you paint from far away. Short handles give you more control for detailed work up close.

The Ferrule: This is the metal part that connects the bristles to the handle. It holds the bristles in place and helps keep them shaped correctly.

The Bristles: This is where the painting happens. Bristles can be made of natural hair or synthetic fibers. The type you choose affects how the paint goes on the canvas.

Cleaning need some products!

Start by wiping the brush with a cloth or paper towel. Clean the whole brush, including up to the metal part (ferrule). Use oils like safflower, olive, walnut, or linseed oil for the first cleaning.

how to clean paint brushesThen wash it well with soap or odorless mineral spirits. For a thorough clean, you can use Murphy’s, Dawn, Fairy, Chelsea oil soap, or eco-friendly options like I Love Art or Sennelier brush cleaner. These are nicer to use than white spirit. Citrus-based thinners also clean brushes well and are better for the air in your studio.

Don’t forget to reshape the brush with your fingers after cleaning!

Clean the brush after each use of acrylic paint. If you don’t, paint residues will harden at the base of the ferrule and make hair brittle over time.

Conclusion

So there you have it! If you act quickly, use the right materials, and clean carefully, your brushes will look like new.

After cleaning your brushes, you need to store them. I suggest using protective covers or wrapping them in wax paper to keep their shape and protect the bristles. To avoid bending the bristles, store your brushes in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and extreme temperatures.