Cleaning paint brushes, it is a chore for most people especially if you are like me. At then end of the job, you are tired and the last thing on your mind is the paint brush. But guess what? If you follow some techniques and use a few tricks that I have, you can extend the life of that paint brush for many, many years.

Most of you do not realize that the cleaning process actually begins before you start to paint. Here is what you need to do. If you are using latex paint, I would like to see you get the paintbrush wet with a little it of water. If you are using oil-based paint, use mineral spirits of paint thinner. Why do you want to do this? I will tell you why? Because those fluids keep the bristles wet up near the handle and without that fluid contact, what happens, that paint dries very, very quickly and at the end of the day, it is almost impossible to get off the brush.

Once you are ready to clean the brush, remove as much paint as possible on a scrap or on a piece of cardboard. I prefer to use soapy warm water to clean latex paint from brushes. Mineral spirits or pain thinner is required for oil paints. The trick is to submerge the brush and the cleaning solution and I like to use rapid side-to-side motions to rinse the paint from the brush. You will need to change your cleaning solutions frequently until the water remains clear as you move the brush around.

Now, do you want to ruin your expensive paint brush? I will tell how to do it. Here are some common mistakes, never hold the brush upside down in a stream of water. Do not jam the brush down on the bottom of your bucket or a sink to ram the paint from the bristles. These practices weaken and crush the bristles. Once you have finished the cleaning process, be sure to comb out as much water out of the brush as possible.

I want you to treat the brush just like your hair after you get out of the shower. And see this hole in the handle, it is very important. I would like to see you hang your brush up on a nail after the job is complete. If you take care of your paint brush, it is going to take care of you for many, many years.

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