Learn how to clean, wash, and restore your old, dirty, and “ruined” paint brushes with the best products in this brush washer tutorial.
First published in January 2023. Updated on July 8th, 2025, by Rob Baer with the latest information and links.
Do you love painting miniatures but struggle with how to get paint out of brushes? Dirty and damaged brushes can make painting miniatures like Warhammer 40k a frustrating and expensive experience. But don’t worry, we have got you covered!
We’ll guide you through a simple and effective method to clean and restore your old, dirty, and “ruined” paintbrushes for miniatures and how to maintain them regularly.
I was even able to clean and restore a paintbrush that was over 10 years old while making this tutorial!
Supplies for Cleaning Miniature Paint Brushes
Let’s be real, your paint brushes have seen things. Layers of crusty acrylic, water-based paints, dried-up dreams, maybe even a rogue coffee dip (hey, it happens).
But before you toss them in frustration or swear off miniature painting forever, let’s gear up with the best paint brush cleaner(s) to bring them back from the brink with proper cleaning tools.
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To get rid of the stubborn grime on your paint brushes, just grab these:
- Clean Water – For rinsing paint off brushes after each session.
- Glass Cup or Shot Glass – Used to hold the cleaning solution during deep cleaning.
- Poster Tac – To tack brushes to the side of the glass and prevent damage.
- Winsor & Newton Brush Cleaner – A strong solution for removing dried paint and restoring old brushes (better than just mineral spirits).
Any of these brush cleaners will do the trick, and just make sure you dry your brushes in a way that the bristles don’t touch any surfaces. After checking out this tutorial, you’ll definitely want to keep using this cleaner regularly.
- Jentastic Drunken Brush Goop Conditioner – A dedicated brush soap and conditioner (far better than just using dish soap).
- Master’s Brush Soap & Cleaner – Another high-quality brush soap option for synthetic brushes, natural bristles, or any type of paint.
- Pink Soap Brush Cleaner – A popular alternative brush soap known for gentle yet effective cleaning (good for oil-based paints).
- Game Evny Brush Cleaner – this stuff handles both without any weird dyes, strong smells, or extra junk you didn’t ask for.
- Brush Rest – For drying brushes properly without damaging the bristles. This is great for allowing your brushes to dry completely and is better than dabbing them off on a paper towel.
How To Clean Dirty, Old, & “Ruined” Paint Brushes for Miniatures
These are the brushes we’ll be cleaning and restoring in this tutorial, and as you can see, they are in pretty rough condition! Best of all, with this cleaning method, you might never have to buy new brushes again if you don’t want to (but we all want to, so don’t feel bad).
Is cleaning a hobby all on its own? Not really! We have the tools to use each hobby session to become an effective paint brush washer!
Cleaning your paint brushes for miniatures is essential for preserving their performance and longevity.
How Do You Clean Paint Brushes for Miniatures?
Here’s a basic cleaning routine:
- After every painting session, swish your brushes in clean water to remove residual acrylic paint.
- Use a dedicated brush soap and cleaner, which is specifically formulated for cleaning brushes.
- Dry your brushes properly by hanging them vertically or laying them horizontally on a brush rest.
- For a deeper clean, especially if the paint has dried on the bristles, use a brush restorer solution, as described below.
Step One
To remove paint from brushes, we start with a glass cup (or shot glass) and a bottle of Winsor & Newton Brush Cleaner. Pour in a decent amount and add a little more for each extra brush you want to clean. It’s not an exact science, so you have to do it a couple of times to get the exact amount you need.
One big thing to note is to keep this away from pets and children, as drinking it would not be good, to say the least. However, you can wash your paint brushes in the sink to keep things from getting too messy.
After the cup is full, set brushes in the solution and tack them to the side of the glass with some poster tac. If you let the wood of the handle brushes sit in the solution, it will actually damage the handles.
Likewise, letting them sit on the bottom of the glass with the brush bristles smashed and possibly damage the ferrule that attaches them to the handle, as well.
Allow your brushes to rest in the solution for about 5-10 minutes. It’s not a long time, so pay attention.
Step Two
After you take them out, rinse them off with lukewarm tap water. Then, take some Jentastic Drunken Brush Goop Conditioner, Pink Brush Soap, or Master’s Cleaner, and put some in your palm with the brush, as shown in the picture above.
Next, pull the bristles through the cleanser in the folds of your palm, towards you several times. This creates a gentle brush wash with the excess water from the first rinse and the cleaner itself.
After that, rinse them off again and allow them to dry without putting any pressure on the bristles.
After they have been cleaned and conditioned, your brushes should look as clean as mine!
After every paint session, repeat step two with your cleaner regularly to prolong the life of your brushes. Avoid using paint restorer or solvents regularly, though, as this can damage your brushes over time.
Now, if you’re wondering how to clean dry brush, this works perfectly for drybrushes as well, not just those fine-tip ones!
FAQs & Cleaning Tips For Paint Brushes For Miniatures
During (and after) every painting session, make it a habit to swish your brushes in clean water. This simple yet effective step helps remove any lingering acrylic paint from the bristles. Using a dedicated water pot can enhance this process, ensuring that your brushes are thoroughly rinsed and clean.
Don’t smash the bristles down on the bottom of the cup, or rub them too much on any nubs inside them, however. That actually damages the brush.
When Should You Clean Your Paint Brushes?
To keep your tiny paint brushes in tip-top condition, adhere to the following cleaning schedule:
- After Every Painting Session: At a minimum, rinse the brush thoroughly. You should also clean it with paint brush soap as well.
- Weekly or for every 3-4 hours of painting: For deeper cleaning, especially if you’ve been painting for extended periods without cleaning, consider using a liquid brush cleaner or restorer.
That last step is essential to remove paint that may have penetrated deeper into the bristles, such as up in the ferrule. Plus, this is a great place to start for restoring old brushes that you may still have.
What is the Best Art Brush Cleaner?
I personally prefer Jentastic Drunken Brush Goop Conditioner over Master’s Brush Soap & Cleaner, but for many years, I used Master’s as it was the only option available at the time. They are both formulated for efficient brush maintenance, but I think Jentastic does a better job.
How Do You Clean Warhammer Miniature Paint Brushes?
Cleaning Warhammer or Citadel paint brushes follows the same principles as cleaning brushes for miniatures.
Final Thoughts From Us
Keeping your paint brushes clean and well-maintained is crucial for achieving great results in your miniature painting projects. With the simple cleaning routine outlined in this tutorial, you can even restore your old, dirty, and “ruined” brushes and extend their lifespan.
Going forward, be sure to get a high-quality brush soap and cleaner / brush restorer solution. Following the cleaning tips we’ve discussed, you’ll be able to keep your brushes in pristine condition for years to come.
The Best Paint Brushes for Miniatures
What is your favorite way to clean your paintbrushes for miniatures? And answering if can you wash paint brushes in the sink?
