• Home
  • Kids Crafts
  • Holiday Crafts
  • DIY
  • Recipes
  • About

Crafty Morning

Kids Crafts, Recipes, and DIY Projects

  • Fall Crafts
  • Halloween Crafts
  • Thanksgiving Crafts
  • Winter Crafts
  • Christmas Crafts
    • Christmas Ornaments
    • Christmas Tree Ideas
  • Activities

DIY Ideas · April 23, 2015

How to Revive Old Dried Up Paintbrushes

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
This post may contain affiliate links, read our Disclosure Policy for more information. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, thank you!

how-to-revive-old-paintbrushes-cleaning-tips

If you're like me, you probably have a stack of paintbrushes face down in a cup COMPLETELY dried up and crusty. Why don't I wash my brushes right after projects? Pure laziness. I always make excuses like "Ohhh...I have 5 other brushes to use instead!" Luckily, there are methods to cleaning those old paintbrushes and they CAN be soft again! About once every other week I do this.

Grab a glass cup and fill it about 1-2 inches deep with distilled white vinegar. Heat it in the microwave for 1-1.5 minutes then submerge your nasty paintbrushes into it. Bubble bubble bubble! It will smell horrid :D so put it in a room to sit for an hour where no one will be bothered. It helps to move them around in the cup every 20 minutes to loosen up the paint (not required though!)

how-to-clean-revive-old-paintbrushes

Take some dish soap (Dawn, Palmolive, etc.) and rinse off the brushes in warm soapy water. If there is still paint on them (usually acrylic paint is the most stubborn) here are some ideas...

  1. Wire Brush - Buy a stiff wire brush and scrape off the extra paint...this is great for large paintbrushes.
  2. Flea Comb- Use those small bristle combs to scrape (you can even use a regular hair comb!)
  3. Murphys Oil Soap - Let soak all day in a cup of this. I had a few art teachers recommend this product saying that it also conditions the brush bristles.
  4. Painters Comb- A double sided brush designed for cleaning!

If you have any other tips that you use, please let us know! :)

how-to-revive-old-paintbrushes-cleaning

Make sure to follow Crafty Morning on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram or subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter! :)
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

You’ll Also Love

Unique 70th Birthday Cake Ideas On a Budget
Candy Cane Wreath Craft For Christmas
Fish Bowl Snowman Craft
Next Post >

3D Paper Ladybug Craft for Kids

Welcome to Crafty Morning...I'm so happy you're here! I'm Michelle; a 30-something, crafty mom who loves to keep busy! You can read more about me here. Visit my other websites too: The Happy Farmhouse and My Heavenly Recipes

Reader Favorites

  • How to Make a Birds Nest Cake
  • Cupid Chow Recipe
  • Cute Coloring Pages for Kids to Print
  • Groundhog Day Crafts For Kids
  • 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken Sauce Recipe

Stay Updated

Trending Now

  • How to Make a Birds Nest Cake
  • Cupid Chow Recipe
  • Groundhog Day Crafts For Kids
  • 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken Sauce Recipe

hey there!

Since you made it all the way down here please take a moment to follow us on Social Media! Our Crafty Morning Facebook page is almost to 6 million followers! Woo-hoo!!

Browse by Holiday

  • Valentines Day Crafts
  • St. Patricks Day Crafts
  • Easter Craft Ideas
  • 4th of July Crafts
  • Halloween Crafts
  • Thanksgiving Crafts
  • Christmas Crafts

Browse by Seasons

  • Spring Crafts
  • Summer Crafts
  • Fall Crafts
  • Winter Crafts
  • Coloring Pages

Browse the Kitchen

  • My Heavenly Recipes Website
  • All Recipes
  • Easy Meal Ideas
  • Drinks
  • Desserts

Browse by Type

  • Handprint Crafts
  • Footprint Crafts
  • Paper Plate Crafts
  • Toilet Paper Roll Crafts
  • Popsicle Stick Crafts
  • Egg Carton Crafts
  • Disclosure Policy/ Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 Crafty Morning · Theme by 17th Avenue