How to Clean Acrylic Paint from Brushes

Acrylic paint is a fantastic medium, versatile and vibrant, but boy, can it be tough on your brushes if not cleaned properly! Letting acrylic paint dry on your brushes is a sure-fire way to send them to an early grave, leaving them stiff and unusable. But fear not, budding artists! Knowing how to clean acrylic paint from brushes is a fundamental skill that will save you money and keep your tools in top condition for countless creative sessions. It's not a difficult process, but it requires a little attention right after you finish painting. Getting into this habit is the single most important step in prolonging your brushes' life.

Your First Step: Cleaning Wet Acrylic Paint From Brushes

The absolute best time to clean your brushes is immediately after you stop painting, while the acrylic paint is still wet. This is when the paint is easiest to remove and you can prevent it from hardening deep within the bristles. Think of this as your primary brush care routine.

Here’s a simple and effective way to clean acrylic paint brushes when the paint is fresh:

1. Wipe Off Excess Paint

   Before you even get near water, grab a rag, paper towel, or an old cloth and gently wipe off as much paint as you can from the brush bristles. Stroke the brush against the material, pulling the paint away from the ferrule (the metal part). This removes a significant amount of pigment and makes the rinsing process much easier and less messy.

   
   

2. Initial Rinse 

   Hold your brush under cool or lukewarm running water. Direct the water flow from the ferrule downwards towards the tip of the bristles. Gently use your fingers to spread the bristles and help the water wash away the remaining paint. Avoid hot water, as it can sometimes start to cure the acrylic paint faster. Keep rinsing until the water running off the brush looks mostly clear.

   
   

   

   Avoid hot water, as it can sometimes start to cure the acrylic paint faster

3. Apply Soap

   Once the initial rinse is done, turn off the running water to save water. Place a small amount of soap in your hand or on a brush cleaning pad. An artist-specific brush soap is excellent as it often contains conditioners, but a mild hand soap or even a gentle dish soap can work for synthetic brushes.

   
   

4. Lather and Work the Bristles

   Gently swirl the soapy brush in your palm or on the cleaning surface. Work the lather right into the base of the bristles near the ferrule. This area is crucial because paint can hide and build up there, leading to stiffness over time (often called "the heel"). Be thorough but gentle – don't press so hard that you bend the bristles out of shape. You should see more pigment coming out as you do this.

   
   

   

   Paint can hide and build up, leading to stiffness over time

5. Rinse Thoroughly (Again!)

   Return the brush under running water (still cool or lukewarm) and rinse out all the soap and loosened pigment. Again, work your fingers through the bristles and ensure the water runs clear and is free of suds. You might need to repeat the soaping and rinsing steps if a lot of paint was in the brush, or if it was starting to dry. The goal is for absolutely no colour to come out when you swirl the brush in clean water. This is the key to how to wash paint brushes properly with acrylics.

   
   

6. Reshape and Prepare for Drying

   Gently squeeze out the excess water from the bristles. Use your fingers to reshape the brush head back to its original point or Chisel edge. This helps maintain the brush's structure. Lay the brush flat on an absorbent surface (like a paper towel or cloth) or hang it bristles-down. Never store a wet brush upright in a container, as water can seep into the ferrule and damage the glue, causing bristles to shed or the handle to loosen.

Use your fingers to reshape the brush head back to its original point or Chisel edge

Bringing Them Back: Tackling Dried Acrylic Paint

We've all been there – you get distracted, or you think the paint is thin enough it won't dry, and suddenly you have a stiff brush. While it's much harder than cleaning wet paint, you can often still remove dried acrylic paint from brushes and restore paint brushes to a usable state. It requires more effort and patience, and sometimes a brush might be beyond saving if the paint is heavily caked and dried deep in the ferrule.

Here are a few methods to try for dried acrylic paint:

1. Soak in Warm, Soapy Water

   For paint that's only slightly dried, soaking the brush bristles in warm water with a good amount of mild soap for a few hours or even overnight can help. The prolonged contact can soften the dried acrylic. After soaking, try the standard cleaning method (steps 1-6 above), gently working the softened paint out.

   
   

2. Use a Specialized Brush Cleaner

   There are excellent commercial products specifically designed to break down dried acrylic paint. Look for an acrylic paint brush cleaner at your local art store. Follow the product instructions carefully, as they often involve soaking the brush in the cleaner for a specified time before attempting to wash out the loosened paint. These are often the most effective way to restore paint brushes with dried acrylic.

   
   

3. Consider Household Alternatives (with Caution)

   Some artists use household items as a last resort, but be aware these can potentially be harsh on your brush fibers, especially natural ones. Always rinse thoroughly afterward.

   • Rubbing Alcohol: Soaking the very tip of the bristles in rubbing alcohol for a short period (just enough to cover the dried paint) can sometimes soften it. Gently work the paint out and wash very well with soap and water. Alcohol can dry out bristles, so consider a brush conditioner afterward.

   • Vinegar: Gently heating white vinegar (do not boil it) and soaking the bristles in it for 10-15 minutes can help. The acidity can help break down the acrylic. Rinse extensively with water and then wash with soap. The vinegar smell can linger.

     
     

When working with dried paint, be as gentle as possible while still being firm enough to work the paint out. Using a brush comb can be helpful for gently separating bristles and coaxing out dried pigment without damaging the hairs.

By mastering the art of cleaning both wet and dried acrylic paint from your brushes, you'll extend their lifespan significantly, keeping your tools ready for whenever inspiration strikes!