Painting projects are satisfying right up until you look at the brush sitting on the drop cloth, wet paint already starting to cling and stiffen. A good brush costs money, so it’s worth knowing how to clean paint brush while the paint is still soft. With the right technique, it takes about ten minutes and your brush will be ready for the next project, not the trash can.
First, check which kind of paint you used. If it was latex, acrylic, or another water-based paint, warm soapy water will do the job. If you used oil-based paint, you’ll need a solvent such as mineral spirits or paint thinner. Using the wrong cleaner is the fastest way to ruin a brush.
What You’ll Need
- Warm water and dish soap
- Mineral spirits or paint thinner, for oil-based paint
- Nitrile or rubber gloves, if you’re using solvent
- Brush comb, or a clean old fork
- A small bucket or glass jar and a clean rag or paper towels
How to Clean the Brush, Step by Step
- Remove the excess paint right away. Wipe the brush against the lip of the paint can or a piece of scrap cardboard. Work from the metal ferrule—the band that holds the bristles—toward the tips so paint doesn’t get pushed up into the base.
- Pick the cleaner that matches your paint. For water-based paint, fill a bucket or sink with warm water and a squirt of dish soap. For oil-based paint, pour mineral spirits into a glass jar. If you’re using solvent, do it outdoors or near an open window and wear gloves.
- Soak and swish. For water-based paint, swish the brush in the soapy water for a few seconds, pressing the bristles gently against the bottom of the bucket. For oil-based paint, let the bristles sit in the solvent until the paint softens—about five to ten minutes—then swish them around.
- Work the soap through the bristles. Add a little more dish soap to your palm and move the brush in a circular motion, pressing the bristles gently. Work from the ferrule outward, not the other way, so paint doesn’t lodge deeper. For oil-based paint, this soapy step removes the leftover solvent and oily residue.
- Rinse and comb out remaining paint. Hold the brush under warm running water and pull a brush comb—or a clean fork—from the ferrule to the tips. Repeat until the water runs clear and no paint streaks remain.
- Dry it flat or hang it. Shake off excess water, press the bristles with a clean rag, and reshape the brush with your fingers. Lay it flat on a towel or hang it by the handle to dry. Never stand it upright on the bristles, and don’t leave it soaking in a cup of water, since that can bend the bristles and loosen the glue.
💡 Note: If the brush is already dry, don’t force the bristles. For latex paint, soak it in warm, soapy water for 15 minutes. For oil-based paint, soak it in solvent for 30 to 60 minutes. Keep the metal ferrule out of the liquid as much as possible to protect the handle.
The secret to easy cleanup is starting before the paint dries. Once you get into the habit, a good brush will last for years, and you’ll begin each new project with a brush that feels as good as new.
Related Terms:
- paint brush cleaning instructions
- homemade paint brush cleaner
- solvent for cleaning paint brushes
- removing dried paint from brushes
- remove dried paint from brush