How to Clean a Paintbrush

Learning the right way to clean your paintbrushes will save you money by extending the life of your brushes. While it may seem tedious, cleaning a paintbrush is quick and easy as long as you have the right tools and clean it immediately after you're done painting. Below, we've explained the best way to clean paintbrushes so you can reuse them again and again, whether you're using water-based or oil-based paint.

Should You Wash Paintbrushes in the Sink?

Depending on who you ask, you'll get different answers regarding if it's OK to wash paintbrushes used with water-based paints in the sink. Some say yes, while some say no. Others are simply undecided. The truth is, it depends. A little water-based paint in a sink that drains to a water treatment facility likely won't hurt anything. However, you don't always know where your sink drains, so we recommend playing it safe and filling a bowl with warm water. You can then dispose of that water in a safe place or leave it outside to evaporate.

How to Clean Paintbrushes

Step 1. Remove Excess Paint

Remove as much paint as possible by gently scraping the brush along the lip of your paint can. Only remove wet paint; don't try to scrape dried paint into the can.

Step 2. Rinse the Paintbrush

After getting as much excess paint off the brush as possible, it's time to start washing the paint off the brush.

If you're cleaning a brush used with oil-based paint, first soak the paint in a solvent such as paint thinner before washing it with water. Be sure your space is well ventilated. Swirl the bristles through the solution. Pro Tip: Solvents like paint thinner, mineral spirits and brush cleaner can even be effective for reviving old paintbrushes with heavily dried-on paint.

Place the brush in a container filled with warm water and swirl it around to remove the paint. Gently massage the bristles to remove the paint, dumping and replacing the water as necessary.

Step 3. Comb the Bristles

Use a brush comb to comb out the paint on the interior of the paintbrush and straighten the bristles. Always comb the bristles downward to help keep the proper brush form.

Step 4. Brush Off Dried Paint

Use a soft wire brush to gently brush off any stubborn dried-on paint (Image 1). If the paint is still holding on, place a dab of dish soap on the bristles (Image 2).

Step 5. Replace the Water

If you think your brush is totally clean, dump and replace the water once more, repeating the washing process to ensure no more paint is in the brush.

Step 6. Dry the Brush

Remove as much water as you can from the bristles by blotting them with a soft towel. Leave the brush flat on the towel to air dry or hang it with the bristles facing downward.

Tips for Cleaning Paintbrushes

• Clean paintbrushes right away. Rinse the paintbrush with warm water as soon as possible after painting to prevent paint from drying on the brush.
• Be thorough. Leaving just a little bit of paint in your paintbrush is enough to ruin it.
• Repeat steps if necessary. One or more of the steps may need to be repeated to get all of the paint out of your paintbrush.
• Buy a better paintbrush. If you're having trouble cleaning your paintbrush, you may need to buy a nicer paintbrush. While this may seem counterintuitive, higher-quality paintbrushes are easier to clean than budget brushes, which are often only intended for one use.
• Use vinegar. Like dish soap, vinegar is an effective household item for cleaning paintbrushes. If you're finding that your paintbrush's bristles are hardening over time, soaking the brush in a mixture of warm water and vinegar will often soften them up. This is also an effective way to remove dried paint from brushes and rollers.
• Dry fully. Before you put your paintbrush in your toolbox, cabinet or paint supplies bin, make sure you let it fully dry. Always dry the brush flat or hanging by the handle to ensure no water gets into the handle.
• Choose the right solvent. Different solvents work better for cleaning different types of paints. When in doubt, consult the manufacturer's instructions for cleanup on the paint can.

Do You Have to Clean Your Brush Immediately After Use?

If you’re not quite ready to clean a paintbrush but you need to pause your painting project, try this:

Wipe away as much excess paint as possible and put the wet bristle end of your paintbrush into a plastic baggie. Squeeze out the air and bind a rubber band around the handle to keep it airtight. This will help to protect your paintbrush for several hours or even overnight.