How to Clean Brushes After Painting?
In brief: Clean your brush right after painting, before the paint dries. Wash acrylic paints and watercolors with lukewarm water and soap. First dissolve oil paint with thinner or brush cleaner, then wash with soap. Reshape the brush and dry it with the bristles facing down or lying flat, never with the bristles facing up.
Why Shouldn't Paint Dry on a Brush?
Dried paint is a brush's biggest enemy. When it hardens in the bristles near the ferrule, the brush loses its flexibility and shape. Keep a cloth or paper towel nearby while painting and wipe off excess paint as you go. Don't leave a brush standing in a glass of water or thinner for long. The tip may bend, and the brush may not return to its original shape.
How to Clean Brushes After Using Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint is water-soluble while wet. Once dry, it is water-resistant, so don't delay cleaning.
- Wipe as much paint as possible onto a cloth or paper towel.
- Rinse the brush in lukewarm, not hot, water.
- Lather it with mild soap and use circular motions in your palm to wash paint out from the base of the bristles near the ferrule.
- Repeat until the lather is completely white, then rinse thoroughly.
For dried acrylic paint residue, try the Schmincke eco-friendly brush cleaner. It is alcohol- and water-based, biodegradable, and softens even dried paint residue. The PENTART brush cleaner is also designed for water-based products.
How to Clean Brushes After Using Oil Paints
Oil paint is greasy and won't wash off with water. Clean brushes in two steps:
- Dissolve the paint: Dip the brush in thinner or cleaner and gently swirl it around the bottom of the container or on the silicone brush-cleaning mat. Don't press hard on the bristles, as they could break or come out of the ferrule.
- Wash with soap and water: Use lukewarm water and soap to remove any remaining pigment and solvent. With oil paints, you often need to repeat this twice.
If you find the smell of turpentine unpleasant, try Schmincke Diluent N odorless thinner or Schmincke eco-friendly cleaner, which works for both oil and acrylic paints. Dip the brush only up to the ferrule, as the cleaner may damage some types of paint on the handle. Always rinse the brush thoroughly with water after cleaning.
How to Clean Watercolor and Gouache Brushes
Both watercolor and gouache dissolve in water even after drying, so clean lukewarm water is all you need. Wash delicate natural-hair brushes (such as squirrel hair) without pressing, and use soap only occasionally. This helps the bristles retain their spring and ability to hold water.
How to Dry Brushes Properly
- After washing, smooth the bristles back into their original shape with your fingers: shape a round brush to a point and a flat brush to a straight edge.
- Dry brushes flat or with the bristles pointing down in a holder. If the bristles point up, water runs into the ferrule and dissolves the glue, causing the brush to come apart.
- Don’t dry them on a radiator or near another heat source. The handle may crack and the bristles may become misshapen.
What to Do When a Brush Has Hardened
Soak only the bristles, up to the ferrule, in brush cleaner for several hours. Then gently comb out the paint and wash with soap. If paint has dried deep near the ferrule, the brush often won’t return to its original shape. You can keep using it for textures or dry-brush techniques. If you’re choosing a new one, see our guide to how to choose the right brush size and browse our painting brushes.
Cleaner, Thinner, or Soap: A Quick Guide
| Paint | While Painting | After Painting |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | water, cloth | lukewarm water + soap; dried residue: brush cleaner |
| Oil | cloth, thinner | thinner or cleaner, then soap + water |
| Watercolor, gouache | clean water | lukewarm water, soap only occasionally |
Brushes That Last for Years
Clean them right away, wash them gently, and dry them properly. Find everything you need for cleaning, including cleaners, thinners, and pads, at ARTMiE.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean brushes after using acrylic paints?
Acrylic paint dissolves in water while wet. Wipe off excess paint, then wash the brush with lukewarm water and mild soap, including at the base of the bristles. Repeat until the lather is white. Brush cleaner will soften dried residue.
What should you use to clean brushes after using oil paints?
Oil paint won’t wash off with water. First dissolve the paint with thinner, turpentine, or brush cleaner, then wash the brush with soap and lukewarm water. If you’re bothered by the smell, use an odorless thinner.
Can I use gasoline for cleaning brushes?
We don’t recommend it. Gasoline is harsh and can damage natural bristles and the handle. Thinners and cleaners made for artist brushes are gentler.
What should I do if a brush has hardened with dried paint?
Soak the bristles up to the ferrule in brush cleaner for several hours, gently comb out the paint, and wash with soap. If paint has dried deep near the ferrule, the brush may not regain its original shape.
How do you dry brushes properly?
Shape the bristles with your fingers and dry the brush flat or with the bristles pointing down. Never dry it with the bristles pointing up or on a radiator. Water runs into the ferrule, and heat deforms the bristles and handle.
How can I tell if a brush is completely clean?
After washing with soap and rinsing, the lather stays completely white and no more paint comes out from the base of the bristles.