A good brush, properly looked after, lasts for years; neglected, it's ruined in a few uses. Because acrylic paint hardens as it dries and wrecks a brush, cleaning and caring for brushes is a basic skill every painter should have. In this guide we cover how to clean your brushes, how to rescue one with dried paint in it, and how to make your brushes last.
Why does brush care matter?
- A good brush is expensive; care protects your money.
- A clean brush gives smoother, more controlled strokes.
- Dried paint stiffens the bristles and ruins their shape.
- A well-kept brush works like new for years.
If you've invested in quality brushes, learning to care for them is essential.
Protecting the brush while you work
Cleaning really begins while you're painting:
- Don't let the brush dry out: Acrylic that dries in the bristles is very hard to remove. Keep the brush in water between passes.
- Don't rest it on the bottom: Leaving a brush standing in the bottom of a water pot crushes and bends the bristles. Use a brush holder if you can.
- Don't work paint up to the handle: Paint that gets inside the metal ferrule dries there and splays the bristles.
Step by step: cleaning after use
1. Remove the excess paint
Wipe the excess paint from the brush onto a paper towel or newspaper. The more you take off, the easier the clean.
2. Rinse with warm water
Wash the brush gently under warm (not hot) water, in the direction of the bristles. Keep going until the water runs clear. Hot water can loosen some adhesives, so stick to warm.
3. Wash with a mild soap
Put a little soap in your palm and wash the brush gently, in the direction of the bristles, with a circular motion. Pay particular attention to the paint near the metal ferrule; that's where it collects.
4. Rinse and reshape
Rinse the soap out completely. Use your fingers to bring the bristles back to their original pointed or flat shape.
5. Dry flat or hanging
Dry the brush lying flat, or hanging with the bristles pointing down. Never stand it bristles-up; water seeps into the ferrule, breaks down the adhesive and the bristles start to fall out.
How to remove dried paint
If paint has dried in a brush, don't throw it away straight off — try to rescue it:
- Soak the brush in warm soapy water for a good while (a few hours).
- Work the softened paint out in the direction of the bristles with your fingers or an old comb.
- For stubborn cases, brush cleaner/restorer products can be used.
- Cheap brushes that have gone completely solid may not be salvageable — which is why prevention is best.
Golden rules for a longer brush life
- Clean immediately after every use.
- Don't work paint up into the metal ferrule.
- Don't dry brushes bristles-up.
- Use different brushes for different jobs (don't mix your varnish brush with your paint brushes).
- Store dried brushes flat or hanging, somewhere dust-free.
Frequently asked questions
What do I clean an acrylic brush with?
As acrylic is water-based, warm water and a mild soap are enough; no solvent needed. What matters is cleaning before the paint dries.
The paint has dried in my brush — can it be saved?
Usually yes; soak it in warm soapy water and work it out along the bristles. If it's very hard, try a brush cleaner — though some cheap brushes won't come back.
Can I use hot water?
Warm water is safest. Very hot water can loosen the adhesive holding the bristles and cause shedding.
How should I store my brushes?
Once completely dry, lying flat or hanging with the bristles protected, somewhere dust-free. Don't crush the bristles.
Should the varnish brush be separate?
Yes, ideally. Keeping varnish and paint brushes apart keeps both clean and long-lasting.
A few minutes of care keeps your brushes working like new for years. Remember the rule: clean straight away, keep paint out of the ferrule, dry them properly. A well-kept brush always does better work. Take a look at our range of brushes and make them last a lifetime with the right care!
