Good paintbrushes are an investment, and keeping them in top shape is the secret to better painting. If you treat them well, they will help you express yourself for years to come.
Today, we are breaking down how to clean oil-based paint brushes so you can clean up quickly after a session. We will cover how to remove stubborn pigment and care for your bristles without compromising quality.
Key Takeaways
- Solvent First: always remove oil paint with a solvent (like Gamsol) or a drying oil (like linseed) before using water.
- Soap Second: Follow the solvent step with artist soap or mild dish soap and warm water to remove residue.
- Gravity Matters: Always dry brushes flat or hanging bristles-down; never dry them standing up or water will rot the handle.
- Restoration: Vinegar can help rescue neglected brushes with hardened paint, but prevention is key.
Can You Clean Oil Paint Brushes With Water?
Let’s rip this band-aid off quickly: no, you cannot clean oil paint brushes with water alone. Oil is impervious to water. If you run a dirty brush under the tap, the water will simply bead off the oily bristles, leaving the paint right where it is. To actually clean the tool, you need a solvent or oil to break down the pigment first.
When to Clean vs. When to Rest
You don’t always need a deep clean. If you plan to paint again within 24 to 48 hours, you can “rest” your brushes.
Wipe as much paint as possible onto a paper towel. Then, dip the bristles into a slow-drying oil, such as poppy seed oil or safflower oil. Linseed oil works in a pinch, but it dries faster, so be careful.
Lay the oil-coated brush on your drying rack. When you are ready to paint again, just wipe off the excess oil and get to work. However, if you are storing brushes for more than a couple of days, you need to perform a full clean to prevent them from stiffening.
Method 1: The Solvent-Free Clean (Linseed Oil)
If you paint in a small room or are sensitive to fumes, cleaning with oil is a fantastic alternative to harsh thinners. It takes a little more elbow grease than turpentine, but it conditions your bristles rather than stripping them.
- Time: 15-20 minutes
- Difficulty: Beginner
What You’ll Need
- Vegetable oil or linseed oil
- Paper towels or paint rags
- Old cup or jar
- Artist hand soap (like The Master’s Artist Soap)
1. Remove Excess Paint
Before touching any liquid, get the bulk of the paint off. Wrap the ferrule (the metal part) and bristles in a paper towel or rag. Squeeze gently and pull toward the tip. Repeat this until the brush stops leaving heavy marks on the towel.
2. Submerge and Agitate
Pour enough oil into your jar to cover the brush head. Dip the brush in and gently press it against the sides or bottom to work the clean oil into the center of the bristles. The clean oil will displace the dirty paint.
Remove the brush and wipe it clean with a rag. Repeat this “dip and wipe” cycle until the oil squeezed from the brush looks relatively clear.
3. The Soap Phase
Now that the heavy pigment is gone, you need to remove the oil. Wet the brush in warm water and swirl it onto your cake of artist soap. Work up a lather in the palm of your hand using a circular motion.
Rinse with warm water (never hot, as it melts the glue in the handle). Repeat the lather-and-rinse process until the suds stay white.
4. Reshape and Dry
Use your fingers to gently mold the bristles back into their original shape. Lay the brush flat on a table or drying rack. Ensure the bristles aren’t touching anything that could bend them while they dry.
Method 2: The Solvent Clean (Gamsol)
For a faster, deeper clean, mineral spirits are the industry standard. While traditional paint thinner smells terrible and is toxic, odorless mineral spirits (OMS) like Gamsol are safer and much more pleasant to use indoors.
- Time: 10 minutes
- Difficulty: Beginner
What You’ll Need
- Odorless Mineral Spirits (Gamblin Gamsol is a top choice)
- Glass jar (ideally with a coil or mesh screen inside)
- Paper towels
- Master’s Artist Soap
1. The Solvent Bath
Pour your Gamsol into a jar. Dip the brush in and swirl it vigorously. If you have a jar with a cleaning coil, gently run the bristles over the coil to open them up and release paint from near the ferrule.
2. Wipe and Repeat
Lift the brush and tap off the excess liquid. Wipe it firmly on a paper towel. If there is still a lot of color coming off, go back into the solvent for another swirl.
3. Wash With Soap
Solvents strip natural oils from hair, so following up with soap is crucial to condition the bristles. Lather the brush with artist soap and warm water. Swirl it in your palm until the foam is white.
4. Dry Flat
Rinse thoroughly, reshape the tip with your fingers, and lay it flat to dry.
Alternative Cleaning Options
If you don’t have linseed oil or Gamsol handy, you can clean your paint brushes with a few household items.
Baby Oil
Baby oil works exactly like linseed oil for cleaning. It is cheap, accessible, and does a great job of moisturizing natural bristles. Follow the same “dip, wipe, wash” method used for linseed oil. Just be sure to wash it out thoroughly with soapy water afterward, as baby oil is non-drying and can affect your painting if left in.
Dish Soap
Dish soap (like Dawn) is a strong degreaser. It is excellent for the “washing” phase after you use oil or solvent. However, it can be drying to natural hair brushes over time. If you use dish soap, consider using a dab of hair conditioner occasionally to keep the bristles soft.
Natural Cleaners
Products like EcoSolve or Murphy’s Oil Soap are great non-toxic options. Murphy’s is particularly good because it cleans and conditions wood and bristles simultaneously. Dip, swirl, and rinse with warm water.
Dedicated Brush Cleaners
Sometimes you need a heavy hitter. The Masters Brush Cleaner is a solid cake of soap that preserves brushes better than almost anything else. You just wet the brush, swirl it on the cake, and rinse. It removes oil, acrylic, and watercolor stains.
How to Rescue Dried Paint Brushes
We have all been there; you forgot a brush on the easel and now it is rock hard. Don’t toss it yet.
Vinegar is the secret weapon here.
- Pour white vinegar into a saucepan or heat-safe cup.
- Heat the vinegar until it is hot (but not boiling).
- Submerge the bristles of the hardened brush into the hot vinegar. Do not let the vinegar touch the wooden handle or the metal ferrule if possible, as heat can melt the glue.
- Let it soak for 30 to 60 minutes.
- The paint should soften enough to scrape off with your fingernail or a comb. Wash with soapy water immediately.
How to Dry and Store Brushes
Proper drying prevents damage. Here are the golden rules:
- Wipe the Handle: Water causes wood to swell and paint to chip. always dry the handle first.
- Lay Flat: Gravity is the enemy. If you dry a brush standing up (bristles up), water seeps into the ferrule, rusts the metal, and rots the wood.
- Hang Down: If you have a brush washer with a spring, you can hang brushes bristles-down. This is the best method as it lets gravity pull moisture away from the handle.
- Airflow: Keep them in a well-ventilated spot. Do not put damp brushes in an airtight container, or they will mold.
Know Your Bristles
Different hair types require different care levels.
Natural Bristles (Hog/Horse)
These have a natural “flag” (split ends) that holds paint well. They love oil but hate water. Frequent washing with harsh soap can make them brittle. Always reshape them carefully after washing.
Sable Brushes
These are the expensive, soft ones made from weasel hair (Kolinsky). They are delicate. Never jam them into the bottom of a water jar. Clean them gently and consider using a brush conditioner to keep them snapping back to a point.
Synthetic Bristles
Made from nylon or polyester, these are tough workhorses. They withstand water and solvents better than natural hair but can permanently curl if left resting on their tips.
What to Do With Old Paint Brushes
When a brush loses its point or the bristles splay out, it isn’t trash, it’s a texture tool.
- Scrubbing: Use stiff, old brushes to scrub thin layers of paint into the canvas for backgrounds.
- Texture: Splayed bristles are perfect for painting grass, fur, or foliage.
- Mixing: Use old brushes to mix paint on your palette so you don’t wear out your good ones.
FAQs
What Is The Best Solvent For Cleaning Oil Paint Brushes?
The best balance of safety and effectiveness is Odorless Mineral Spirits (like Gamblin Gamsol). It cleans thoroughly without the strong fumes of turpentine. Other options include Real Milk Paint Citrus Solvent or plain white spirits.
Is It Okay To Wash Oil Paint Down The Drain?
No. You should never wash oil paint or solvents down the sink. They contaminate water systems and clog pipes. Wipe the majority of paint onto a rag first. Dispose of heavy sludge at a hazardous waste facility, and only wash the brush in the sink once most of the paint is removed.
What Can I Mix With Oil Paint To Make It Thinner?
To thin paint for glazing or detailed lines, you can mix in odorless mineral spirits, turpentine, or an oil medium like linseed or poppy seed oil. Solvents break the paint down faster, while oils make it fluid but increase drying time.
Can You Reuse Oil Painting Rags?
Yes, but you must be careful. Oily rags can spontaneously combust if crumpled up while wet. Hang them flat to dry completely. Once the oil has cured and hardened, you can reuse them or dispose of them safely.
How Can I Condition My Natural Hair Brushes?
After cleaning, dip the clean bristles into a tiny amount of baby oil or a specialized brush conditioner. Shape the bristles and let them sit. Before your next painting session, rinse the brush in mineral spirits to remove the non-drying conditioner so it doesn’t mix with your paint.
