How to Clean Watercolour Brushes

Rinse your brush thoroughly in lukewarm water after every use until the water runs completely clear. To maintain shape and performance, it’s also a good idea to deep-clean your brush a few times a year using brush soap or shampoo. Always let your brush dry horizontally or hanging with the tip facing downwards to prevent the glue inside the ferrule from dissolving. Proper cleaning will keep your brushes in better condition for longer and ensure consistent results over time.

Like all valuable tools, brushes require care and maintenance to retain their quality. Many watercolourists have experienced the frustration of a beloved brush losing its spring, splaying at the tip, or no longer forming the perfect point needed for detail work. In this guide, you’ll find all the essential advice on how to clean watercolour brushes. From the daily care that extends their life to deep-cleaning that can revive a tired brush – these tips will help you keep your brushes in top shape year after year!

How to Clean Watercolour Brushes

It’s important to always keep your brush clean and free of paint between uses. Occasionally, a more thorough wash is also needed to help maintain the shape and spring of the bristles. Here’s how to give your brush a quick clean after each session, and a deeper clean when necessary.

Daily Cleaning

After every use

The purpose of daily brush cleaning is simple: to remove all the paint before the brush is put aside to dry. Skipping this step and letting paint dry in the bristles can be disastrous – the brush becomes stiff, and the hairs may be damaged. After each painting session, follow this easy routine:

1. Rinse the brush gently in lukewarm water until the water is completely clear
2. Carefully reshape the tip of the brush with your fingers
3. Lay the brush horizontally on a piece of kitchen towel or a clean cloth to dry

Important tip: Avoid leaving the brush standing upright while drying. When upright, water can collect at the base of the bristles and slowly dissolve the glue holding the brush together. This can significantly shorten its lifespan.

Deep Cleaning

A few times a year

While daily rinsing with water is sufficient for regular maintenance, brushes occasionally require a more thorough clean. After heavy use, a brush may lose its spring and shape as pigment and dust build up at the base of the bristles. When the brush head feels dry and lifeless, it’s time for a proper clean with brush shampoo or soap. Here's how:

1. Rinse the brush thoroughly in lukewarm water
2. Gently massage brush soap into the bristles
3. Repeat rinsing and cleaning until the water runs completely clear
4. Reshape the tip by gently pulling it across a cloth or using your fingers

Special Treatment for a Worn-Out Brush

To revive a dry and frayed brush, give it a special treatment with brush shampoo. Clean the brush thoroughly first, then work shampoo into the tip and shape it to your desired point. Let it dry horizontally overnight with the shampoo still in the bristles, and rinse well before the next use. Brush soaps and shampoos contain conditioning ingredients that rehydrate and bring life back to tired brushes.

Masking Fluid and Brushes

Masking fluid is an essential tool in watercolour painting, but it can also be damaging to your brushes if not used correctly. The most important rule: never use your regular watercolour brushes for masking fluid. Once dry, the fluid becomes rubbery and will bond permanently to the bristles, a type of damage that can’t be reversed. Just a few minutes of drying time is enough to ruin a high-quality brush.

Protecting Your Brush When Applying Masking Fluid

If you must use a good brush for masking fluid, here’s a handy trick: coat the brush with soap before application. The soap forms a protective barrier between the fluid and the bristles. Remember to rinse the brush thoroughly straight after use, before the masking fluid has a chance to dry.

For more tips and guidance on masking fluid, read our guide all about masking fluid for watercolour ➝