What's the proper way to clean brushes after painting?

Question

Sometimes my brushes don't last very long and I was thinking maybe I don't clean them properly. Is there a proper way to clean them to make them last longer?

Answer 1

For oil paint, first clean with turpentine and then soap.  For acrylic paint, always keep the brush wet while painting (if not in use, let it sit immersed in water) and immediately after use rise with water thoroughly. While your brushes are still wet after cleaning, be sure to shape them so they'll try to their normal shape rather than frayed.

Comments

What also helps keeping brushes in shape is to run them through some brush conditioner (a kind of material that has a solid soap consistency and sometimes even referred to as "brush soap").  If your brushes have built up too much pigment and have become difficult to clean, there are some cleaners especially made for that purpose which aren't the same as thinners or mineral spirits - clean them with small amounts of those cleaners and you will have a chance to re-condition and extend the life of your brushes.