How To Clean Dried Paint Brushes

Your walls are shining with a fresh coat of paint. Three days later, you remember you didn't clean your paintbrush. Blame the kids, the chaos, the fact that you don't have to be elderly to forget the obvious. Regardless, don't throw your paintbrush away. Learn how to clean dried paint brushes, saving you from spending money on a new one.

Cleaning Your Paint Brush
Paint usually build up close to the metal band, referred to as the ferrule. To clean the bristles, use warm water. However, most home painting professionals advise against using soap. Instead, use a solution of ½ of fabric softener mixed with a gallon of lukewarm water. Fabric softener reduces the surface tension between solids and liquids, making the water "wetter."

If your brush is still full of gunk, try soaking only the bristles in hot vinegar. Put your paintbrush bristle-down in a heat-resistant jar and put in boiled white vinegar. Allow the brush to soak until the vinegar is room-temperature, and then rinse thoroughly.

If your paintbrush is in bad condition, use paint thinner as a last resort. Use a jar with a lid and cut a gash in the top of the paintbrush. Push the brush through the lid, so the ferrule is secure. Pour paint thinner into the jar until it covers the bristle tips.

Leave the brush in the jar for a few days. As the paint thinner vaporizes, the fumes go through the bristles, softening the dried paint. When through soaking, take the brush out and with a plastic comb, brush thoroughly to get rid of any loose bits of paint.

Paint Brush Cleaning Tips

• Dampen your paintbrush before you start painting. It helps you with cleaning it off after you finish.
• If you can't wash your brush right away, don't just leave it lying around. Instead, fill an old jar with warm water to cover the bristles without soaking the handle. It's recommended not to abandon your brushes in a container for days. Though, a couple of hours won't shorten the lifespan of your brush.

For more information on paintbrush cleaning, ask Rochester Painting.

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