The right way to clean a paint brush depends on the paint in its bristles. Clean brushes promptly, use a cleaner suited to the medium and handle the brush head gently.
Cleaning acrylic paint brushes
- Wipe away excess wet paint with a cloth.
- Rinse the bristles with cool water before the acrylic dries.
- Work a little mild soap through the brush head gently, including the area near the ferrule.
- Repeat washing and rinsing until the paint residue and soap are removed.
- Blot away moisture, reshape the bristles and dry the handle and ferrule.
Dried acrylic needs a cleaner specifically intended for that paint and brush type. Follow its instructions rather than assuming the same soaking method suits every brush.
Cleaning watercolour brushes
Rinse out colour with cool water. If needed, use a small amount of mild soap, rinse thoroughly and gently press out excess water. Keep the brush head in shape rather than scrubbing or pulling the hairs.
Cleaning oil paint brushes
First wipe off as much paint as possible. Gamblin describes cleaning during a painting session with a small amount of Gamsol or its safflower oil, followed by wiping the brush. Soap and water can complete the clean after painting. Use products according to their labels and safety instructions; collect used solvent and paint residue for appropriate disposal.
Gamblin Gamsol is an oil-painting solvent, not a substitute for rinsing wet acrylic or watercolour brushes with water.
A simple brush-care routine
Keep the cleaning method alongside the paint you use. At the end of a session, check that the brush is clean before putting it away. A stained brush is not necessarily a dirty brush: performance matters more than restoring every bristle to its original colour.
Browse our artist brushes and acrylic paints, or read the acrylic painting guide for help choosing materials.