I've been trying to clean my paint brushes after using latex paint, but no matter what I do, they always end up stiff and unusable. I've followed some online tips, but I just can't seem to keep them in good shape. Anyone got some solid advice on how to properly clean them so I can extend their life?
3 Answers
Another great method is to dunk the brush in water before using it, so the paint doesn’t soak in as much. And if you've got dried paint, soak your brushes in very hot water with a bit of vinegar to loosen things up. That's worked wonders for me!
Hot tip! Thanks for sharing that, I'll definitely give it a shot!
The trick is to keep the paint away from the metal ferrule. When you’re painting, don’t dip the brush too deep—just to about one-third up the bristles. When you're done, give it a solid rinse until the color stops running out. You can also wrap it in paper towels and hang it to dry, which helps maintain its shape!
Great tip! And don't forget to use a brush comb during cleaning to get into those deep bristles.
Totally agree! Keeping the ferrule clean makes cleaning so much easier.
If you're using latex paint, start by rinsing the brush with warm water and a bit of dish soap. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear—this might take a few tries. Make sure to work the bristles gently to get all the paint out, and then straighten them out before you let the brush dry. A brush comb can help get any stubborn paint out, too!
I usually give mine a good rinse, and then I like to use a wire brush to really clean the bristles deep.
Yeah, sometimes it takes forever, but preventing paint from getting up into the metal part is key!
I haven't tried vinegar yet, but soaking helps loosen up the dried paint for sure.