Don't risk ruining your paint brushes because you don't want to clean them. Follow these instructions for proper care and maintenance.
When you're done painting for the day, clean the excess paint off the brush by painting it back and forth either on a rag or piece of newspaper. Even though it's messy, try and scrape off as much of the excess paint as you possibly can. Before cleaning your paint brushes, be sure to check the back of the paint can for tips. Your next step depends on the type of paint used.
If you used water-based or latex paint, clean up is a snap. Fill a coffee can with water and a little dish detergent. Use your hands and try to work out as much paint as you can. Mix the brush around in the soapy water until the water changes color, then rinse out the can and repeat the process. Once you've removed as much of the paint as you possibly can this way, run the brush under lukewarm water, separating the bristles with your hand until you're sure all the paint has been cleaned out and the water underneath the brush runs clear.
If you used oil-based paint, stain or varnish, you'll want to half fill your coffee can with a paint thinner or mineral spirits instead. Move the paint brush in and out and around the paint thinner until no more paint comes off of the brush, then rinse the can and repeat the process until no more paint can be removed.
If you used shellac, it's best to clean your paint brush in alcohol and follow the same procedure as was used with paint thinner.
If necessary, you can use a brush specially made for cleaning paint brushes. While your brush is in the coffee can filled with your choice of cleaning solvent, use the special brush to get the paint out from between all of the bristles.
When you're sure all the paint has been removed, hang your brushes to dry. Most paint brushes have a small hole drilled through the top of the handle for hanging to dry on string or fishing line. When your brushes are dry, store them in their original plastic container or plastic cling wrap.
As you can see, it doesn't take much effort to keep your paint brushes clean. If you clean your equipment immediately upon finishing your task, they're less likely to harden, clean up will be easier and your brush will last a long time. Taking care of your brushes now means less last minute trips to the hardware store later and that means spending more time on the things that are really important.
