DIY: 3 Ways to Clean Paint Brushes

After having a good time painting your room, shop, cabinet or any furniture, you are faced with the challenge of cleaning the paint brushes. Just as you were able to paint and even make some artistic designs on your own, you can also clean the paint brushes yourself. Here, we will look at three different ways on how to properly clean paint brushes and have them looking good for the next job. There is absolutely no way the brushes will look as new and nice as he purchased them from the stores. Stick with me as we delve into the steps.

Table of Contents

1. The Use of Solvent
2. The Use of Vinegar
3. The Use of Fabric Softener

Step1: The Use of Solvent

The most commonly used method of cleaning paint brushes and it is simple and effective in that right. With this method, you will need a few materials available and employ the procedure immediately after you have finished your painting work.

Materials Needed

• Appropriate Solvent
• Paper Towel or Rag (Preferably an old rag)
• The just used paint brushes
• An old bucket, jar or bowl
• Disposable hand gloves

NB: There are several solvents on the market and in our local stores. You can either order online or take a walk to any shop, ask questions and take which one best suits you.

Steps to Follow

• To begin, you have to remove as much excess paint on the just used brush. This can be done with the use of the paper towel or old rag at your disposal. For the process to work effectively, there should be some little amount of paint still on the brush after you have done the cleaning for a relatively faster cleaning when it is sunk into the solvent.
• Take your bucket or bowl (old ones if there is) and into that pour a little amount of solvent. Before doing that though, be sure the old bucket or bowl isn’t broken and also it should be clean. Slowly dip the brush into the solvent.
• Immediately after that, twist and turn the brush in the solvent. Go on for as long as it take the brush to be completely free of any paint or stains.
• At this point, under running water or any clean water, rinse the leftover solvent off the brush.
• Grab the old rag, and use the other side to wipe off the water. If it paper towels you have, use them to remove remaining solvent or water from the brush.
• Keep the brush aside for it to dry. It is advised that you reshape brush bristles and store them in your cabinet for the next job.

The Use of Vinegar

This second method works particularly well for used paint brushes which have been left uncleaned for a period of time. Imagine having to attend to a serious issue after painting and you never returned to the paint house for some days or weeks. This method will help you effectively clean the used paint brush.

Materials Needed

• White Vinegar
• Cooking pot
• Stove top
• The dried up used paint brush

Steps to Follow

• Pour some amount of vinegar into the cooking pot. Because of the paint, do well to use one of your old cookware or buy one from your local store for that purposes only.
• Slowly immerse the entire brush into the pot containing vinegar. All areas of the brush must be well covered with vinegar. Pour in more vinegar if some parts of the brush are still uncovered.
• Cover the pot containing the vinegar and brush and heat that up till it boils. Allow it cool after you have turned off the gas or electric cooker. Note that if you do not cover the pot, the whole area will be filled with the smell of vinegar.
• After a couple of minutes, remove the brush from the vinegar and put it aside and wait for it to cool down before continuing with the other steps.
• By now, it’s all good to touch or pick up. With the use of yoyr hand, comb the brush bristles. Continuous combing of the bristles will completely do away with the paint stuck on the brush after the boil.
• Under cold water, rinse the brush to eradicate the paint stains and clots.
• If after these processes, the brush isn’t properly cleaned, you can repeat the process for a few more times until it is all done.
• If you are lucky at the first try, reshape the brush and keep it in a cabinet for the next job.

The Use of Fabric Softener

The fabric softener method is also one of the easiest and effective ways of cleaning a paint brush. It does require just a few materials and the process can begin for the desired results.

Materials Needed

• 1/8 Cup Fabric Softener
• 4 Cups of Warm Water
• Bucket or bowl
• Old Rag or Paper Towel
• Dirty Paint brush

Steps to Follow

• Remove as much excess paint on the just used brush. This can be done with the use of the paper towel or old rag at your disposal. For the process to work effectively, there should be some little amount of paint still on the brush after you have done the cleaning for a relatively faster cleaning when it is sunk into the fabric softener.
• In the bowl or bucket, add four cups of warm water and 1/8 cup of fabric softener and stir to bring a uniform mixture.
• Handle the paint brush, dip in into the mixture and swirl in the mixture for as long as the paint starts coming off. Under the bottom the bucket, the paint will be settled.
• Wash the brush under running water and once your paint brush is clean, use the old rag or paper towel to wipe off any excesses or remaining solvent.
• Use your hand to comb the bristles and reshape it for another day’s job.

Source: www.Muzhchin.net