How to Clean Paint Brushes Correctly

A quality paint brush can last for decades if you clean it properly after every use. A neglected brush — even one left to dry for just a few hours — can be ruined permanently. Cleaning brushes correctly takes less than 10 minutes and is one of the most important habits in DIY painting. Here's the right way to do it for both latex and oil-based paint.

Why Proper Brush Cleaning Matters

Paint that dries in the bristles stiffens them, causing the brush to apply paint unevenly and leave marks on the wall. Even partial cleaning — where paint is left at the base of the bristles near the ferrule — causes the bristles to splay outward over time, ruining the brush's shape and performance. A properly cleaned brush applies paint as smoothly as the day it was new.

Tools You'll Need

• Paint brush and roller spinner cleaner — spins out water and solvent in seconds for fast, thorough cleaning
• Paint brush comb and cleaner tool — removes paint from deep in the bristles and straightens them after cleaning

Cleaning Latex (Water-Based) Paint from Brushes

Step 1: Remove Excess Paint

Before washing, remove as much paint as possible from the brush. Press the bristles against the inside of the paint can or tray to squeeze out excess paint. Wipe the brush on the edge of the can. The less paint you start with, the easier the cleaning.

Step 2: Rinse Under Warm Running Water

Hold the brush under warm running water and work the bristles with your fingers to release the paint. Start at the ferrule (the metal band) and work toward the tips. Most of the paint will rinse out in the first minute.

Step 3: Use the Brush Comb

Run a brush comb through the bristles from ferrule to tip to remove paint trapped deep in the brush. This is the step most people skip — and the reason their brushes stiffen over time. The comb reaches paint that fingers and water alone can't remove.

Step 4: Wash with Dish Soap

Apply a small amount of dish soap to the bristles and work it in with your fingers. Rinse thoroughly. Repeat until the water runs completely clear with no color.

Step 5: Spin Dry

Use a brush and roller spinner to spin out the water. Insert the brush handle into the spinner, place it inside a bucket or trash can, and pump the handle. The centrifugal force removes water in seconds — far more effectively than shaking or pressing against a cloth.

Step 6: Reshape and Hang to Dry

Use the brush comb to straighten the bristles back to their original shape. Hang the brush vertically (bristles down) or lay it flat to dry — never stand it on its bristles, which will permanently bend them.

Cleaning Oil-Based Paint from Brushes

Oil-based paint requires solvent rather than water. Pour a small amount of mineral spirits or paint thinner into a container and work the brush through it until the paint releases. Repeat with fresh solvent until it runs clear. Then wash the brush with dish soap and warm water to remove the solvent, spin dry, and reshape as above.

How to Keep Brushes Fresh Between Coats

If you're taking a break of less than an hour, wrap the brush tightly in plastic wrap or a plastic bag to prevent it from drying out. For breaks up to 24 hours, wrap in plastic and store in the refrigerator — the cold slows the drying process significantly. Always clean thoroughly at the end of the day.

A clean brush is a better brush. Ten minutes of proper cleaning after every use will keep your brushes performing like new for years — and save you from buying replacements every project.