A quality artist brush is one of the best investments you can make. Whether you're painting with acrylics, oils or watercolours, properly caring for your brushes will help them maintain their shape, improve your painting experience and save you money in the long run.
Many brushes are ruined not because they're worn out—but because they're cleaned incorrectly or left sitting in water or solvent for too long.
In this guide, we'll show you the best way to clean different types of artist brushes, common mistakes to avoid, and the essential products that help keep your brushes in excellent condition for years.
Why Brush Care Matters
Artist brushes are carefully designed tools. Natural hair and synthetic fibres are shaped to hold paint, release colour smoothly and create consistent strokes.
Without proper cleaning:
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Paint dries inside the bristles
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Brushes lose their point or edge
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Bristles become stiff and brittle
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Ferrules loosen
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Handles crack from water damage
A few minutes of care after each painting session can dramatically extend the life of your favourite brushes.
Cleaning Acrylic Paint Brushes
Acrylic paint dries quickly, making it one of the toughest mediums on brushes if left too long.
Step 1: Wipe Off Excess Paint
Use a paper towel or lint-free cloth to remove as much paint as possible before rinsing.
Step 2: Rinse with Lukewarm Water
Never use hot water, as it can soften glue inside the ferrule.
Swirl the brush gently until most of the paint has been removed.
Step 3: Wash with Brush Soap
Use a dedicated Artist Brush Cleaner or Brush Soap to work remaining paint from deep inside the bristles.
Massage the soap from the ferrule towards the tip using your fingers.
Recommended Products
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Brush Soap
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Brush Cleaner
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Brush Restorer
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Brush Washing Tank
(Add internal links to your Brush Cleaners collection and brush care products.)
Step 4: Reshape the Brush
Gently form the original point or flat edge before allowing the brush to dry.
Cleaning Oil Paint Brushes
Oil paint requires a slightly different process.
Step 1: Remove Excess Paint
Wipe off as much paint as possible using paper towel.
Step 2: Clean with Solvent
Use:
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Odourless Mineral Spirits
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Brush Cleaner
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Turpentine Substitute
Avoid soaking brushes for extended periods.
Step 3: Wash with Brush Soap
Even after using solvent, always wash brushes with soap and water.
This removes remaining oils while conditioning the bristles.
Step 4: Dry Properly
Lay brushes flat until completely dry.
Cleaning Watercolour Brushes
Watercolour brushes are generally easier to clean.
Simply:
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Rinse in clean water
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Use a small amount of brush soap if necessary
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Remove excess moisture
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Reshape the point
Natural sable brushes should be handled especially gently.
Don't Leave Brushes Sitting in Water
This is probably the most common mistake artists make.
Leaving brushes standing in water:
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Bends the tips permanently
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Weakens glue inside the ferrule
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Causes wooden handles to swell and crack
Instead:
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Rinse immediately
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Dry with a cloth
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Store horizontally until dry
Deep Cleaning Older Brushes
If a brush feels stiff or no longer holds its shape, it may simply need a deep clean.
A dedicated brush restorer can dissolve dried acrylic or built-up oil paint that ordinary soap can't remove.
For heavily used brushes:
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Soak according to product instructions.
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Gently comb the bristles with your fingers.
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Wash thoroughly.
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Reshape and dry.
This can often restore brushes that seem beyond saving.
How to Store Artist Brushes
Proper storage is just as important as cleaning.
The best options include:
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Brush holders
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Brush rolls
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Brush wallets
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Desktop brush organisers
Store brushes:
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Upright only after completely dry
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Flat during drying
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Away from direct sunlight
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In a clean, dry environment
Common Brush Care Mistakes
Using Hot Water
Hot water can damage both natural and synthetic fibres.
Scrubbing Aggressively
Never mash the brush into the bottom of a container.
Instead, gently swirl the bristles.
Letting Paint Dry
Even 15–20 minutes can permanently damage acrylic brushes.
Keep a water container nearby while painting.
Using Household Soap
Dishwashing liquid and household cleaners can dry out natural hair.
Use products specifically designed for artist brushes whenever possible.
Storing Brushes Wet
Always allow brushes to dry fully before storing them upright.
How Often Should You Clean Brushes?
Ideally:
Acrylic
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During painting if paint builds up
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Thoroughly after every session
Oil
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After every painting session
Watercolour
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After every use
Deep clean every few weeks if you paint regularly.
When Is It Time to Replace a Brush?
Even well-maintained brushes eventually wear out.
Signs include:
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Split tips
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Loose ferrules
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Permanent splaying
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Broken handles
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Bristles falling out
Replacing worn brushes ensures cleaner brush strokes and more enjoyable painting.
Browse our full range of Artist Brushes to find quality brushes for acrylic, oil, watercolour and mixed media.
Recommended Brush Care Products
To keep your brushes performing at their best, consider adding these essentials to your studio:
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Artist Brush Cleaners
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Brush Soap
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Brush Restorers
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Brush Washing Tanks
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Brush Holders
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Brush Rolls
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Brush Storage Cases
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Professional Artist Brushes
These products help extend the life of your brushes and make cleaning quicker and easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use dish soap to clean artist brushes?
While it can remove some paint, artist brush soap is specifically formulated to clean without damaging natural or synthetic fibres.
Should I soak brushes overnight?
No. Prolonged soaking can loosen the ferrule, bend the bristles and damage wooden handles.
Can dried acrylic paint be removed?
Sometimes. A specialised brush restorer may soften dried paint enough to rescue the brush, although heavily damaged brushes cannot always be fully restored.
Should brushes dry upright?
Only after they're completely dry. During drying, lay them flat to prevent water from running into the ferrule.
Are synthetic brushes easier to clean?
Generally yes. Synthetic fibres are more resistant to acrylic paint and many cleaning products, making them ideal for beginners and frequent painters.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of your artist brushes doesn't take much time, but it can significantly improve both the lifespan of your tools and the quality of your artwork.
By cleaning brushes immediately after use, using dedicated brush cleaning products and storing them correctly, you'll enjoy smoother painting sessions and save money by replacing brushes less often.
Whether you're just starting your creative journey or you're an experienced artist, proper brush care is one of the simplest habits you can develop for better results.
