To keep your paint brushes in the best condition possible after painting and decorating, it is fundamental that you clean them thoroughly.
Your brushes are only good as long as you maintain them, and an investment in high-quality paint brushes can be wasted if they are not properly cleaned and stored after use.
Paintbrush cleaners are designed to help you maintain your painting tools.
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Keep reading to find out more.
5 Best Paint Brush Cleaners
General 105-BP Pencil Masters Brush Cleaner & Preserver
The General Pencil Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver is designed for convenience!
This brush cleaner is a non-toxic water-soluble cleaning compound that works safely on oils, acrylics, or watercolors.
The General Pencil Masters brush cleaner can restore old paintbrushes to the original form and remove dried paint from the brush.
PROS
- Safe to use – This paint brush cleaner is non-toxic, meaning that you can relax in knowing that there are no harmful fumes or odors.
- Lemon-scented – Leaves your brushes with a clean, fresh scent.
- Versatile – This product works to clean a variety of different paints safely, including oils, acrylics, or watercolors.
CONS
- One customer claimed that this product didn’t work as well as they’d hoped with their old paintbrushes.
Arrtx Portable Stainless Steel Leak-Proof Premium Brush Washer
The Arrtx Portable Stainless Steel Leak-Proof Premium Brush Washer is designed for use with water, spirits, turpentine, and other solvents.
The brush washer features a filter screen in the cleaning chamber that allows paint sediment from your brushes to fall to the bottom of the outer pot.
This brush washer is made of stainless steel so the container will not rust or leak and will withstand the test of time.
PROS
- Sealing lid – The convenient lid designed with a rubber gasket works to prevent leaks and is held on tightly to prevent the smells and harsh fumes of solvents from escaping.
- Removable filter screen – Provides a surface to clean bristles against and allows the paint to settle below and leave clean solvent in the top.
- Quality materials – This stainless steel container will not rust or leak, so you can keep using it for years to come.
CONS
- A few customers claimed that they had trouble with the handle of this particular brush washer.
ROLLINGDOG 4 in 1 Paint Brush Comb, Brush Roller Cleaner Tool
The ROLLINGDOG 4 in 1 Paint Brush Comb, Brush Roller Cleaning Tool is designed specifically to increase the lifespan of your applicators by allowing you to effectively clean them off after use.
This cleaner tool is made out of a high-quality 420 stainless steel blade that is strong, flexible, and corrosion-resistant.
The fine-tipped, long-toothed comb works excellently to separate bristles and allow deep cleanse/removal of paint from the brush head.
PROS
- Long, pointed teeth – This comb features pointed teeth that allow quicker and deep cleansing for the most thorough clean.
- Versatile – This paintbrush cleaner features both mini, standard, and large roller cleaners to make cleaning your rollers hassle-free.
- Ergonomic rubber grip handle – The handle with textured thumb located at the top of the brush offers comfortable and controlled use every time.
CONS
- One customer claimed that they bent the bristles of this particular paint brush cleaner more quickly than they had anticipated.
Purdy 140755200 Brush and Roller Spinner Cleaning Tool
The Purdy Brush and Roller Spinner Cleaning Tool is designed for cleaning brushes and rollers quickly and thoroughly.
This paint brush cleaning tool is made to extend the life of all your paint brushes, so you never have to compromise on quality!
The Purdy Brush & Roller Spinner helps extend the life of your brushes and roller covers by removing excess coatings and moisture from the brush filaments and roller cover fabrics.
PROS
- Durable construction – This cleaning tool does not cause excess vibration while spinning for your convenience.
- Versatile – This paintbrush cleaning tool fits the majority of different sized paintbrushes and standard diameter rollers.
- Good quality – This Purdy cleaning tool allows you to maintain and keep all of your brushes in good condition for the next time you want to paint!
CONS
- One customer claimed that they didn’t like the design of this particular paint brush cleaner as it hurt their hands to use it.
Sunnyside 70532 Pure Odorless Paint Thinner
The Sunnyside 70532 Pure Odorless Paint Thinner is great to use for many painting needs, including cleaning paint brushes!
This paint thinner is an odorless solvent that is perfect for use with oil-based paints, primers, varnishes, and stains.
Multifunctional! Paintbrushes, rollers, and sprayers clean up in a snap with Sunnyside Paint Thinner, so you can keep all of your painting tools in the best condition possible.
PROS
- Versatile – Alongside cleaning paint brushes, this paint thinner can also be used to remove and dissolve grease, grime, and oil.
- Restores wood surfaces – Scuff marks and grime will disappear when wiped with a rag and mineral spirits, and fast evaporation makes for a quick, hassle-free cleaning experience!
- Degreasing properties – Bike and auto parts are easily transformed when soaked, wiped, or brushed with Sunnyside Paint Thinner.
CONS
- A couple of customers noted that they struggled to open this particular paint brush cleaner.
Buyer’s Guide
There are a few things to consider when it comes to purchasing paint brush cleaners, but it mainly comes down to the type of paint brush cleaner, the quality, and your safety.
It is not only important to buy good quality tools to clean your paint brushes but to also clean them after every use to ensure that you keep them in the best condition possible.
Check out the factors below before clicking ‘buy’.
Type
Something you’ll need to consider when in the market for a paint brush cleaner is the type of cleaner. There are a lot of paintbrush cleaners on the market and it is easy to feel overwhelmed, however, it is essential that you maintain your brushes on a regular basis.
Below are a few common types of paint brush cleaners that are available.
Hand tool and brush combs
These types of cleaning tools are very common for cleaning paint brushes.
These hand tools come in a variety of shapes and sizes and tend to have one side for cleaning rollers, one for cleaning brushes, and often a thinner end that can open paint lids. These types of tools are often used in conjunction with a paintbrush cleaner solution.
Roller and brush spinner
A roller and brush spinner cleaning tool is a great method for cleaning water-based paints out of paintbrushes. The Purdy Brush and Roller Spinner Cleaning Tool linked above is the perfect solution after you have rinsed off your brushes or cleaned them with a solution beforehand.
That being said, eye protection is highly recommended when using this product as paint can fly everywhere if you’re not careful!
Bottled paint brush cleaner
You can buy products like paint thinner, lacquer thinner that simply come bottled and ready for use.
However, these types of paintbrush cleaners are often highly toxic, so naturally, come with a caveat that you need to take caution when using them. Always work in a well-ventilated area and wear protective clothing.
Tin container
Paintbrush cleaners such as General Pencil Masters Brush Cleaner & Preserver that I mentioned earlier comes in a tin. These types of paintbrush cleaners are relatively hassle-free, as you simply open the container, and rub the paintbrush in the formula.
Brush rinsing pad
Brush rinsing pads are also a good option. There are a variety of silicone pads on the market that are effective when it comes to cleaning paint brushes, but keep in mind that you might need to use them with a cleaning solution depending on the paint that you’ve used on the brushes.
Not all paintbrush cleaners were made equal, and you’ll need to figure out whether you need more than one to work effectively. That being said, it is handy to have a few available to you to use together.
Whichever paint brush cleaner you decide to use, make sure that you’ve done your research and the cleaner is suitable for the type of paint that you have used.
Quality
Something important that you will need to consider when purchasing paint brush cleaners is the quality of the product. Although this might seem difficult without trying and testing the product yourself, there are ways to find out if a product is built to last without having to part with your money.
Checking the product reviews section is a great way to learn more about the product in question.
In this section, customers can leave feedback on the product, good or bad, and give you a better idea and understanding of whether you want to invest in the paint brush cleaner.
If a customer has experienced anything negative, it is likely that they will tell you why they wouldn’t recommend the product in the reviews section.
From the product reviews section, you will also be able to gain a better understanding of the company’s customer service, too.
Although problems can occur that are outside of the company’s control, such as packages being lost in transit, the way they rectify the issue will reveal a lot about a brand.
If multiple customers have had issues with the customer service of a certain product, you might wish to invest your money somewhere else should you encounter any of the same issues!
To avoid disappointment, I recommend always doing your research and making sure that you’re happy with the overall feedback before going ahead with your purchase.
Safety
Your safety is the most important factor to take into account when it comes to cleaning your paint brushes. Some paint brush cleaners are more toxic than others, especially when it comes to using paint thinner to clean and maintain your brushes.
When working with paint thinner to clean your paint brushes, you will need to ensure that you are cleaning your brushes in a well-ventilated area.
This is especially important because many paint thinners are toxic to breathe in and white spirits and solvent-based brush cleaners release VOCs when used.
As a result, then, this can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and can irritate your eyes and nose to name a few.
Therefore, you should also always keep the room that you are cleaning your paint brushes well-ventilated, ensuring that the windows and interior doors are open so that there is fresh air circulating and you’re not breathing in the harmful chemicals.
Alongside the paintbrush cleaner solution that you choose, it is worth noting that oil-based paints generally tend to contain high levels of VOCs and thus have a stronger odor that you’ll need to be cautious of when cleaning your brushes.
Latex paints are generally low odor, low-VOC, and are easy to clean off skin. While small amounts of latex paint can safely be washed down the drain, you’ll want to limit this as much as you can by removing as much excess paint as possible beforehand.
You will also want to think about wearing protective clothing, such as goggles for your eyes and a respirator for your eyes and nose.
This is because when you’re cleaning your paint brushes, paint can often splash you and you don’t want to risk getting either paint or cleaning solution in your eyes.
Although they may be inconvenient and uncomfortable to some, respirators are essential for your safety when you’re working with paint that involves high-VOC materials.
Lastly, you will want to ensure that you’re disposing of the paint properly when you’re cleaning your paint brushes. It’s important that when you’re using you don’t pour paint down the drain.
As paint thinners are hazardous substances, they’re also difficult to dispose of. In order to be environmentally friendly, you should clean your brushes in a small container that isn’t much bigger than the brush itself.
The container that you choose should also have a tightly fitting lid to enable dirty solvents to settle so that the clean solvent can be poured back into the bottle and reused again. Allow the sediment to dry before disposing of it at your nearest hazardous waste disposal site.
The most important thing to remember is that you should not pour it down the sink, as you could be facing much bigger issues if the chemicals in solvents contaminate the water supply.
If in doubt about the paint or paint brush cleaner that you’re using, make sure that you do your research before attempting to clean your brushes. This is important not only for the environment but to ensure that your pipes and drains don’t get clogged with the paint, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean a paintbrush after use?
There are a variety of different ways you can clean a paintbrush after use, and it will primarily depend on the type of paint brush cleaner that you opt for and the type of paint that you are using.
For instance, if you’re using water-based paint, the clean-up process is relatively simple. Once you’ve finished painting, give your brushes and rollers a proper clean.
You’re first going to want to scrape off as much paint as you can, as this makes cleaning them much easier. As the paint is water-based, you simply soak your brush or roller in warm water for around 2 hours. Rinse the brushes and dry them with a clean rag or cloth and store them in a dry place ready to use next time!
However, if you’re using solvent-based paints, the process is different. Pour a small amount of solvent-based cleaner into a small container and work the brush against the sides to get the cleaner into the base of the bristles. Soak for about 2 hours, dry with a clean cloth, and store in a dry place for future use.
It is worth noting, however, that you should never pour leftover solvents down the sink as they are highly toxic and this can lead to much worse problems in your pipes and drainage system.
That being said, after you have finished cleaning your paint brushes, pop a lid on your jar or container and leave for 24 hours so that the dirty solvents settle.
