How to Wash Paint Brushes

Water-Based Paint

• 1

  Scrape as much paint as possible from the paintbrush. Use a paintbrush cleaning tool to do this, or wipe the brush with a disposable rag. Work from the handle area to the tip.

• 2

  Mix 1/2 cup of fabric softener in about 3 gallons of water.

• 3

  Move the paintbrush back and forth in the fabric softener mixture until all paint is off the brush. Don't let the brush bristles touch the bucket bottom.

• 4

  Pat excess water from the paintbrush with a disposable rag.

• 5

  Hang the paintbrush by its handle to finish drying.

Oil-Based Paint

• 6

  Clean excess paint from the paintbrush. Use a paintbrush cleaning tool to do this, or wipe the brush with a disposable rag. Work from the handle area to the tip.

• 7

  Pour paint thinner or mineral spirits into a metal bucket to a depth of several inches.

• 8

  Swish the paintbrush through the paint thinner or mineral spirits until all paint is removed from the brush.

• 9

  Pat the brush dry with a disposable rag.

• 10

  Hang the paintbrush by its handle to finish drying.