Save Your Bristles: How to Make Brushes Last for Years
Get More Life Out of Your Brushes: Simple Care Tips
Watercolor brushes, whether natural hair or synthetic, can last you for years if you treat them with a bit of care. Here’s how to protect your investment and keep your brushes performing beautifully:
Watercolor brushes, whether natural hair or synthetic, can last you for years if you treat them with a bit of care. Here’s how to protect your investment and keep your brushes performing beautifully:
- Prewet your pigments before painting by using a dropper or spray bottle — this reduces scrubbing with your brush.
- Never leave brushes standing in water after painting, as this can damage the bristles and loosen the glue inside the ferrule.
- Rinse your brushes thoroughly under running water after each session to remove any residual pigment.
- Gently reshape the tip of your brush after cleaning to help it maintain its form.
- Dry brushes flat, using a soft cloth or paper towel, with the head slightly lifted so air can circulate.
- Use a brush rest or holder to store your brushes between uses and prevent damage.
- Periodically deep clean to remove stubborn paint buildup from the bristles and ferrule.
- Every few weeks, treat your brushes to a mild soap or professional brush-cleaning solution.
- Keep watercolor brushes for watercolor only — avoid repurposing them for other paints to preserve their quality.
