How to Clean and Care for Your Paint Brushes
A good brush can last for years, or be ruined in an afternoon. A few simple habits keep your bristles soft and your points sharp.
While you paint
- Don't leave brushes standing head-down in the water jar. It bends the bristles permanently.
- With acrylics, rinse often. Acrylic paint dries fast and is very hard to remove once dry.
- Avoid loading paint right up to the metal part (the ferrule). Paint that dries there splays the bristles.
Cleaning after watercolour
Watercolour rinses out easily. Swish the brush in clean water until it runs clear, gently squeeze out the water with kitchen roll and reshape the tip with your fingers.
Cleaning after acrylic
- Wipe off excess paint with kitchen roll.
- Rinse in lukewarm water (not hot, which can loosen the glue in the ferrule).
- Work a little mild soap into the bristles with your fingers or against your palm.
- Rinse until the water runs clear, squeeze dry and reshape.
Drying and storage
- Dry brushes flat or bristles-up, never resting on the tip.
- Once dry, store them upright in a pot or in a brush roll or case so the bristles aren't squashed.
Rescuing a stiff brush
If acrylic has dried in a brush, soak just the bristles in warm soapy water for a while, then gently work the paint loose. It won't always save a badly dried brush, which is why rinsing during painting matters most.
Protect finished paintings too
A coat of gloss or matte varnish protects finished acrylic paintings from dust and moisture and evens out the shine. Apply it with a wide, soft brush once the painting is completely dry.
Shop brush sets, palettes and varnish in our painting accessories.
