How to Clean and Care for Paint Brushes

Posted by

Haanz Team

2026-10-18

On 2026-10-18

Haanz Art GuideFree, practical advice from the team at Haanz Art & Craft Materials

A good brush can last for years, or be ruined in one afternoon if paint dries in it. This guide explains how to clean paint brushes after acrylic, watercolour, gouache and oil paint, how to dry and store them so they keep their shape, and what to do when paint has already dried in the bristles.

How to clean paint brushes: the golden rules

Never let paint dry in a brush, especially acrylic.
Don’t leave brushes standing on their tips in water or solvent; it bends the hairs permanently.
Keep paint away from the ferrule (the metal part); paint that dries there makes the hairs splay.
Dry brushes flat or tip-up.

Cleaning brushes after acrylic or poster paint

While painting, keep brushes damp and rinse them between colours.
When finished, wipe off extra paint on a cloth or paper towel.
Rinse in water, working the bristles gently against the bottom of a jar or brush washer.
Wash with mild soap and lukewarm water, massaging lather into the base of the hairs.
Rinse until the water runs clear, gently squeeze out water and reshape the tip.

Cleaning brushes after watercolour or gouache

Watercolour and gouache rewet with water, so cleaning is easy: rinse in clean water until clear and reshape the point. Use mild soap occasionally to remove build-up. Avoid harsh scrubbing, especially with soft sable brushes.

Cleaning brushes after oil paint

Wipe off as much paint as possible with a rag.
Rinse in a small amount of turpentine, such as FUJIN Turpentine 100ml, in a well-ventilated room.
Wipe again on a rag.
Wash with mild soap and lukewarm water until no colour comes out.
Rinse, reshape and dry.

Let used solvent stand so the paint settles, and reuse the clear liquid on top; never pour solvent down the sink. See our oil colours guide for safety tips.

Rescuing a brush with dried paint

For dried watercolour or gouache, soak the hairs (not the handle) in warm water and soap, then work the paint out.
For acrylic, soaking in soapy water can loosen paint that is only partly dry. Fully cured acrylic is very hard to remove; such brushes can still be used for texture, glue or varnish.
For oil, work a little oil or solvent into the hairs, then wash with soap.

Drying and storing brushes

Lay brushes flat on a towel or stand them tip-up in a jar to dry.
A brush bucket helps: the Brush Bucket (Large) and Brush Bucket (Round) wash brushes and store them in one, with brush holders and a lid.
Keep separate brushes for watercolour, acrylic and oil if you use all three.
Keep fine detail brushes for detail work, not scrubbing.

Prices change, so see each product page for today’s price. Browse all paint brushes. For brush shapes and sizes, see our paint brush guide.

When to replace a brush

A brush needs replacing when the hairs splay and won’t come back to shape, when hairs keep falling out, or when the ferrule is loose. Don’t throw it away straight away: old brushes are handy for mixing paint, applying glue, gesso or varnish, and making texture effects.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use dish soap to clean brushes?

Mild soap works well for most brushes. Rinse thoroughly so no soap stays in the hairs.

Why do my brush tips curl?

Usually from standing in water or drying on their tips. Reshape them while damp and dry them flat.

How often should I wash brushes with soap?

After every painting session for acrylic and oil, and now and then for watercolour.

Do you deliver islandwide?

Yes. We deliver across Sri Lanka in 2–5 working days, with cash on delivery, card or bank transfer. You can also visit our shops in Boralesgamuwa and Horana, open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Not sure what to choose? WhatsApp the Haanz team on 0711 515 515 and we’ll help you choose brushes that suit your painting.

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