7 Best Paint Brush Cleaner Options to Preserve Your Tools
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Best Cleaning Wipes
MiracleWipes for Paint Cleanup
Want to keep your paint brushes really, really clean? These paint clean-up wipes remove dried paint from paint brush handles and heads (as well as paint buckets), and clean any non-porous surface that’s been dirtied by paint, caulk or adhesives. They also remove paint and stain from hands, so you can skip scrubbing later on.
Pros
- Heavy-duty wipes for various messes
- Contains moisturizer to help protect hands
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Won’t work on textiles or any porous surfaces
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Best Spinner Tool
Purdy Brush and Roller Spinner
Here’s one of those paint cleaning tools you probably never knew you needed. This manually operated paint brush and roller cleaner from Purdy uses a spinning motion to whisk moisture and excess paint out of brushes and rollers. Used in combination with a brush and roller cleaning tool, it helps ensure the products are dry when you put them away. At 1.31 pounds, it’ll be a comfortable job.
Pros
- Can reduce paint waste
- Has an easy pumping mechanism
- Lightweight and sturdy
Cons
- May be challenging to get the brush secured in the spinner
What to Consider When Buying a Paint Brush Cleaner
We think one or two paint brush cleaners or cleaning tools are a smart investment, mostly because they’re inexpensive tools that can make cleanup so much easier. They’ll also keep your brushes in good shape for a lot longer. Unless you do a lot of painting, one handheld gadget is probably enough. If you’re buying a cleaning solution or solvent, be sure to get one that’s effective for the type of paint you’re using. And remember that a paint brush cleaner is just one tool in your arsenal—make sure you’re equipped with drop cloths, painter’s tape, paint buckets and edging tools, as needed.
Types of Paint Brush Cleaners
Paint brush cleaners fall into two broad categories: hand tools that make the job easier and solvents that aid in cleanup efforts.
- Paint brush cleaning tools: These include paint brush combs, spinners and containers for soaking brushes in solvent, as well as wipes for convenient cleanup.
- Paint brush cleaning soaps or solvents: These include mineral spirits, paint thinner and turpentine, as well as liquid or solid soaps formulated for oil- and water-based paints.
How We Found the Best Paint Brush Cleaner
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
Can you clean paint brushes in the sink?
Water-based paint can be cleaned from brushes in household sinks. It’s a messy job, though, so if you have a garage or utility sink, that’s the best place for brush wash. If you splash paint in your kitchen or bathroom sink and faucets in the process, be sure to wipe it off right away.
How do you dispose of paint brush cleaner?
Solvent cleaners, such as mineral spirits, turpentine and paint thinner, absolutely, positively can’t go down the drain. They should also never be washed into storm drains, or even into soil. Instead, empty solvent containers, including those with dried product at the bottom, can be disposed of in household garbage. Unused solvents, as well as solvent-soaked rags, need to be disposed of via your community’s hazardous-waste removal program.
How do you store paint brushes after cleaning?
Once your paint brushes are clean, it’s best to store them vertically with the bristle end down. This will help them finish drying and retain their shape. This comprehensive DIY garage storage project includes options for adding hooks and brackets for hanging your paint brushes, as well as other small tools.
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