Guide to Cleaning and Caring for Watercolor Brushes

Watercolor brushes aren’t cheap. Treat them right and they’ll last for years. Abuse them and you’ll be buying replacements after a handful of paintings. Here’s how I keep mine alive in the garage studio.

👉 Want step-by-step lessons? Visit the Watercolor Hub for tutorials and free courses.

Basic Cleaning Routine

• Wipe first → Blot excess paint with a rag or paper towel.
• Rinse cool → Run the brush under cool water, not hot.
• Soap it up → Swirl gently in your palm with mild soap (Castile works great) until the water runs clear.
• Reshape → Pinch or roll the bristles back into a point.
• Dry flat → Lay the brush flat until it’s bone dry, then store it upright.

Simple, quick, and keeps them from turning into frayed sticks.

What Not To Do

• Don’t use hot water — it strips natural oils from bristles.
• Don’t yank or tug — just squeeze water gently.
• Don’t leave brushes sitting in water — ruins the shape and loosens ferrules.
• Don’t swap them into acrylic or oil — dedicate them to watercolor only.

Deep Cleaning & Reshaping

Every few months, give brushes a deeper clean:

• Mild soap, repeat rinses, careful reshaping.
• Bend bristles gently both ways and roll between your fingers to reset the point.

Store completely dry, bristles up, in a jar or holder. Never jam them wet into a container.

Final Thoughts

Brush care isn’t glamorous, but it saves you money and frustration. Clean them, reshape them, and keep them out of standing water. Treat them well and they’ll keep delivering sharp points and smooth washes for years.

Continue Learning

👉 Next stop: check out my Free Watercolor Painting Course or browse the Watercolor Tutorials Hub to keep building your skills.
👉 Follow me on Pinterest for daily watercolor inspiration!

If you enjoy these kinds of raw insights and loose watercolor demos, you’ll feel right at home here. Subscribe to Crafted by Robert and follow along as I share painting inspiration, tips, and behind-the-scenes stories straight from my garage studio. 👉 Subscribe to Crafted by Robert