We have all done it, let the paint dry on the brush and then throw that brush away because we think we have lost the opportunity to take off color from its bristles. The purchase of high-quality brushes is useless if you don’t clean and store them properly after every use.
However, paint brushes are relatively easy to use, but they require a lot of time and hassle to clean, especially if you are working on a tight schedule. But, in this guide, I will show you the five best ways to clean your paint brushes effortlessly, which will save you some good fortune and time for your next painting project.
Best Ways to Clean Paint Brushes
1. By Using Solvents
Using the solvent to extract the brushes’ color is one of the fastest and effective ways to remove the paint from brush bristles’. However, it is preferable to look for the appropriate solvent depending upon the paint’s type and nature.
Use water to remove your water-based paint and mineral spirit or paint thinner to remove oil-based paints. At the same time, shellacs and varnishes use mineral spirit and denatured alcohol. Moreover, It is advisable to use gloves, and other protective clothing like an apron as these solvents may cause harm when exposing to the skin.
Scrape off the remaining paint on your brushes by brushing it along any old rag or towel. It will squeeze out excess dye and makes the cleaning easy and faster for you.
Pour the solvent’s concise amount into any clean Tupperware or glass jar and submerge your brushes into the solution. Rest your brushes in the solvent for a few minutes.
Swirl your brush back and forth until the paint comes off. Spin the brushes gently so that you don’t destroy the bristles of the paintbrush.
Once your paint brushes are clean, rinse them properly under the clean running water to wash any remaining solvent off.
Wipe them with some soft microfiber cloth or any towel. Comb the bristles of the brushes into a shape and let them dry completely.
Wrap up the brushes with some heavy paper and store them carefully until your next use.
2. By Using Vinegar
When you find your brushes have petrified since the last time you have used them, the paint usually hardens. Don’t throw your brushes away. It is when the vinegar comes to your service. Vinegar is an effective and cheap way to remove residues of paint from the paint brushes, which have been there for some time.
Pour your vinegar into a pot and rest your brushes into the pan until they are entirely in the solution.
Bring your vinegar to boil and let the brushes rest in it for a couple of minutes. Transfer the pot from the stove and let it cool for a few minutes. So, you won’t burn your hand.
Take the brushes out and comb the bristles of the paint brushes with the help of your hand. The hardened paint residue will start to come off.
Rinse the paint brushes thoroughly under the clean running water to extract any remaining residue.
However, if necessary, you can repeat the procedure until the brushes are thoroughly clean. Reshape the bristles of the paintbrush and let them dry completely. Store your brushes with heavy paper or old newspaper before using it again for your next exciting project.
3. By Using Fabric Softener
Fabric softener is the most efficient way to remove the paint from the bristles quickly. Remove the paint brushes’ color by pressing it against the paint can squeeze out excess liquid by brushing it long along an old rag or paper towel.
Pour ⅛ cup of fabric softener and four cups of hot water into the pot and mix them well. Submerge the paint brushes into the solution and let them rest in the solution for a few minutes. The softener will help to loosen up the paint from the paint brushes.
Swivel the paintbrush into the mixture for a few seconds until you see the paint coming off. Once your paintbrush is clean, rinse it thoroughly under the clean running water.
Shake the brush gently and dry your paint brushes with any old rag or towel. Reshape the bristles and store them carefully until the next use.
4. Using Liquid Dish Washing Soap
Liquid washing soap is the best way to scrape oil-based paints from the paint brushes. Try to press as much paint out of the brush as you can with the help of the damp cloth or old rag.
Squeeze some dishwashing soap on the palm of your hand and spread it evenly.
Turn on the faucet and move the brush into the circular patterns against the palm of your hand under warm running water.
Repeat the procedure three to four-time until the brush is completely clean and no residue of the paint is left.
Reshape your brush bristles and let it dry entirely. Wrap up the brush with some old newspaper and store it until your next use.
5. Using Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing Alcohol is excellent to clean the stiff brushes, which dried out due to the paint.
Submerge the paint brushes into the rubbing alcohol solution and let them sit there for a few minutes.
After an hour, rinse the brushes under the clean running water to remove any remaining paint residue.
Reshape the bristles and let the brushes dry until the next time you use them.
Wrapping up
After every time you use it, cleaning the paint brushes will hold the bristles in the perfect shape and keep them useable for a long time. However, it entirely depends on you which materials you already have on your hand for the cleaning. It is preferable to clean the brushes immediately after the use and don’t soak the paint brushes in the solvent or warm water for a long time as it may damage your brush bristles.
Nevertheless, it will be helpful to keep, so you don’t have to switch between the two bases, which makes the cleaning much more comfortable and efficient. I hope after skimming through this guide, you will be able to clean your brushes effortlessly with these five best ways to clean your paint brushes.
