Knowing how to clean paint brushes takes about five minutes per brush and can make a good one last for years. The method depends on the paint: warm soapy water for latex and acrylic, and a solvent for oil-based paint. Clean the brush right after painting, before the paint cures in the bristles, and it will spring back like new.
Check Your Paint Type First
Before you learn how to clean paint brushes, confirm what is on them. Look at the cleanup instructions on the can. If it says to clean with soap and water, you have a water-based paint (latex or acrylic). If it names mineral spirits or paint thinner, it is oil-based or alkyd. This decides which method below to follow, and mixing them up leaves a gummy mess.
How to Clean Paint Brushes Used With Latex or Acrylic
- Scrape off excess. Press the bristles against the inside of the can and scrape both sides with the edge of a putty knife or a brush comb. Get as much paint back into the can as you can.
- Rinse under warm water. Hold the brush bristles-down and work the paint out from the ferrule toward the tips until the water starts to run closer to clear.
- Wash with mild soap. Work dish soap into the bristles with your fingers, especially around the base of the bristles where paint hides.
- Comb through. Use a brush comb or a fine-tooth comb to straighten the bristles and lift the last of the paint.
- Rinse until clear. Repeat the soap and rinse cycle until no color remains.
- Spin and shake. Squeeze out water with a towel, or roll the handle between your palms inside a bucket to fling off water.
Avoid washing large volumes of paint down an indoor drain. A utility sink or an outdoor bucket is a good place to rinse, and local guidance on wastewater varies, so check your municipality’s rules.
Cleaning Oil-Based Paint From a Brush
How to clean paint brushes after oil-based work is a different routine. Oil-based paint will not wash out with soap and water alone. You need a solvent such as mineral spirits, and you should follow the label’s safety instructions.
- Scrape off excess paint as above.
- Pour a small amount of solvent into a metal or glass container, enough to cover the bristles.
- Swirl the brush in the container and press it gently against the bottom to loosen paint.
- Switch to a second container of clean solvent for a final rinse.
- Wash the brush with warm, soapy water to remove solvent residue, then rinse and dry.
Used solvent often can be reused: let the paint solids settle in a closed container and pour off the clear liquid. Dispose of sludge and rags according to local hazardous waste rules, since oily rags can be a fire risk if left in a pile.
Rescuing a Brush With Dried Paint
A hard brush is not always a lost cause. For dried latex, soak the bristles in warm water with a little dish soap or in a commercial brush cleaner, then work the softened paint out with a brush comb. For dried oil-based paint, a longer soak in the right solvent can help. Heavily caked brushes may never be perfect, but they often become usable for rough jobs like priming.
How to Dry and Store Your Brushes
The last step of how to clean paint brushes is drying them properly.
- Reshape the bristles. Smooth them into their original shape with your fingers.
- Dry them flat or hanging. Hang the brush by its handle hole or lay it flat so water does not collect at the base.
- Keep the keeper. Slide the cardboard sleeve back over the bristles once they are dry. It protects the shape.
- Store out of the way. Keep brushes in a dry spot, never standing bristles-down on the floor.
If you are mid-project and plan to paint again the next day, wrap the brush in plastic wrap or a zip bag, press out the air, and keep it somewhere cool. It saves a wash.
Cleaning Habits That Make Brushes Last
Learning how to clean paint brushes well is mostly about routine. Good brushes deserve good habits. Do not leave them resting on their bristles in water, as this bends them permanently. Choose the right brush in the first place using our guide on how to choose a paintbrush, and read our notes on storing leftover paint so your cans are sealed before you start cleaning. Roller covers need similar care, and our paint roller nap guide explains how to match and maintain them. For general background on the tool itself, see the Paintbrush article on Wikipedia.
Safety Note
Solvents such as mineral spirits give off fumes, so work outdoors or with open windows and keep them away from flames and sparks. Wear gloves and eye protection. If your home was built before 1978, old paint may contain lead, so test it before scraping and use EPA-recommended lead-safe work practices if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I clean paint brushes with just water?
Yes for latex or acrylic if you do it right away, though a little dish soap helps. Oil-based paint needs a solvent.
How long can I leave a paint brush before cleaning?
Wet paint in the bristles starts to dry quickly, so clean within the day. For a break of a few hours, wrap the brush tightly in plastic.
Is it okay to put paint brushes in the dishwasher?
No. Wash them by hand in a utility sink or bucket so paint and solvent do not end up in your kitchen equipment or drain.
Why are my brush bristles stiff after washing?
Leftover paint near the ferrule is the usual cause. Soak again, comb well and rinse more thoroughly next time.
How do I know if a brush is beyond saving?
If the bristles are bent, shed heavily or stay hard after soaking, replace the brush. Use it for rough work if it still holds some shape.
