How to Clean Paint Brushes with Vinegar

This is a fantastic method of revitalizing an old or hard and/or rigid paintbrush. In general, you should clean your brushes in warm soapy water after you’ve painted with water-based paints (acrylic chalk, alkyl milk paint, gesso, or gesso, etc.). 

If additional scrubbing is needed to remove dirt from your brush, make use of the nylon filament fingernail brush or similar. Do not make use of wire brushes. 

You could also make use of the old hair comb to distribute the filaments when cleaning. Inability to properly clean your brush could result in the build-up of paint on the brush’s heel and cause the brush to stiffen.

My brushes were doing fine, but they really needed a thorough cleaning. I wash my brushes after each use, but often I’m in a hurry (generally painting until the nth minute and then hurrying to make it to pick up school) and don’t clean my brushes thoroughly close to the ferrule. 

My brushes weren’t rigid, but the accumulation of paint around the ferrule was a sign they weren’t painting the way an entirely new brush.

It’s time to refresh them by using hot vinegar. One can utilize any kind of white vinegar. Here is a detailed guide about how to clean paint brushes with vinegar.

How to Clean Paint Brushes with Vinegar (Step by Step Guide)

Just purchase the large plastic bottle instead of the expensive glass bottle, and I utilize white vinegar for cleaning my kitchen and bathroom. White vinegar, in fact, is just white vinegar! This technique can also be used when you’ve neglected to clean your brush after you have finished painting.

1. Pour the white vinegar into a pot and then heat on the stove. It is also possible to make the vinegar hot by using the microwave.
2. When the vinegar is boiling (simmering or bubbling), then pour it into an empty jar, bowl, or another container. Put your brush into the vinegar that is hot. 
3. Leave it for 20 minutes or so paint begins to soften. 
4. You must suspend your paintbrushes using the help of a bulldog clip to ensure that the bristles don’t touch the sides. 
5. This will ensure that bristles won’t break too bent. I’ve previously placed the bristles in an antique butter container but not suspended them, and the bristles were in good shape.
6. After the brushes are finished being soaked, wash them in hot soapy water (I employ dishwashing fluid). Utilize your fingers to take off any old paint. 
7. If you’re using the nail brush, make sure that you only stroke down the hairs of the brush because you don’t want “fluff” over the fibers. Don’t use too much force. 
8. You are better off cleaning the bristles and repeating the process rather than causing damage to your brush. Rinse thoroughly to get rid of all paint and soap. 
9. If you notice any hair sticking out of the corners, cut them off using scissors. It is also possible to scrub the handles using steel wool to wash the handles as well.
10. Cleanse thoroughly, then let it dry by placing the paintbrush on an even surface.

Ready for the next painting!

I hope this will help. Try it before you splash out on some new brushes.