How to Clean and Care for Paint Brushes: A Practical Artist Guide

A quality brush can last for years, but paint left near the ferrule can damage it in a single session. Good brush care is not complicated: remove paint promptly, use the right cleaner, reshape the fibres and let the brush dry correctly. The exact method depends on the medium.

Cleaning watercolour and gouache brushes

1. Rinse the brush in clean, cool or lukewarm water.
2. Gently move the fibres against the bottom or side of the water container without crushing the point.
3. If colour remains, use a mild artist brush soap and work it through the bristles with your fingers.
4. Rinse until the water runs clear.
5. Reshape the point or edge and dry the brush flat.

Do not leave a watercolour brush standing tip-down in a jar. The fibres can bend permanently, and water can travel into the ferrule and wooden handle.

Cleaning acrylic paint brushes

Acrylic begins forming a plastic film as it dries, so speed matters. Keep the brush damp while working, but do not submerge the ferrule for long periods. Rinse between colours, then wash thoroughly with brush soap as soon as the session ends.

Separate the fibres gently near the ferrule because this is where acrylic often accumulates. Avoid pulling the bristles or scraping them with a hard object. Once acrylic fully cures inside the brush, complete recovery may not be possible.

Cleaning oil paint brushes

First wipe away as much paint as possible with a cloth or paper. Use the solvent or cleaning method recommended for your paint system in a well-ventilated area, then finish with artist brush soap to remove remaining colour and conditioning residue. Follow the safety instructions supplied with solvents and mediums.

Do not pour used solvent into a household drain. Allow pigment to settle and follow local disposal guidance.

Brush soaps and cleaners

A solid artist brush soap lifts pigment from deep in the belly without stripping the fibres, and a wide-mouthed brush washer keeps rinse water from reaching the ferrule. See brush cleaners, soaps and holders, including General's The Masters brush cleaner and preserver.

Protecting the ferrule and handle

The ferrule holds the fibres in shape and connects them to the handle. Soaking it can weaken adhesive, affect crimping and cause wooden handles to swell or crack. Wired mop brushes also benefit from being rinsed without prolonged soaking around the binding.

Wipe the handle after use. Paint and water left on lacquered wood can make the surface uncomfortable and shorten its life.

How to dry brushes correctly

• Gently remove excess water without twisting the bristles.
• Reshape rounds and liners to a clean point.
• Restore flats and angular brushes to their original edge.
• Dry brushes flat or with the head angled slightly downward.
• Allow them to dry fully before closing a travel case or brush roll.

Brush storage

Once dry, brushes can be stored upright with the bristles facing upward, laid flat in a case or protected in a brush roll. Avoid pressing the tips against a lid. For travel brushes, make sure the head is dry before replacing the cap so moisture is not trapped inside.

Common brush-care mistakes

• Leaving brushes in water during a long break
• Letting acrylic dry near the ferrule
• Using very hot water
• Scrubbing delicate fibres aggressively
• Drying a wet brush upright before water has drained away
• Using the same brush for masking fluid without protection

Care should match the brush. A soft watercolour mop needs gentle handling, while a firm hog bristle brush can tolerate more working pressure. Browse Stationerie handmade brushes and review the care notes on each product page.

Frequently asked questions

Should new brushes be washed before use?

Yes. Many new brushes are shaped with a temporary water-soluble sizing. Rinse it out gently and reshape the brush before painting.

Can hair conditioner be used on paint brushes?

Use a cleaner or conditioner formulated for artist brushes. Household products may leave residue that affects paint flow or the bristle surface.

Related reading

Different fibres need different handling: read synthetic Kolinsky vs squirrel vs Mangosta and how our brushes are made.