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Want Your Paint Brushes to Last Longer? Learn How to Clean Up Like a Pro

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Paint can and paintbrushes of different size for home decorating purposes.

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A quality paint job doesn’t just depend on the colour or technique; it starts with how well you take care of your tools. Brushes, in particular, play a major role in achieving a clean, consistent finish. Yet, many end up damaged or discarded far too early, not from wear and tear, but from poor cleaning habits.

 

This guide breaks down exactly how to clean up paint brushes without damaging them. No complicated steps, just clear and practical tips to help you keep your brushes in good condition and perform at their best, project after project.

 

Why Cleaning Paint Brushes Matters

 

Taking care of your brushes isn’t just about keeping them neat. It’s about keeping them useful. A clean brush ensures smoother strokes, accurate colours, and a consistent finish. If you leave paint on your brush too long, it hardens, damages the bristles, and reduces the brush’s lifespan.

 

Good paint brush maintenance also prevents colour mixing. Imagine working with white paint only to have traces of blue from your last job ruin the finish. Avoiding this is as simple as cleaning your brushes properly each time you use them.

 

Supplies You'll Need

 

Before you begin, gather all the things you’ll need to clean up paint brushes effectively. Having the right tools makes the job easier and ensures better results.

 

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • A container or an old jar
  • Mild dish soap or detergent
  • Warm water
  • White vinegar or brush cleaner (for tough cases)
  • Mineral spirits or paint thinner (for oil-based paints)
  • A brush comb or an old toothbrush
  • Rubber gloves
  • Paper towels or old rags
  • A clean flat surface for drying

 

Tip: Depending on whether you’re using water-based or oil-based paints, some of these items may vary. But overall, having a small brush cleaning kit ready saves time and effort.

 

How to Clean Brushes After Water-Based Paint

 

 

 

Water-based paints, like acrylics or emulsions, are the easiest to handle when it comes to cleaning. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean brushes after water-based paint without damaging the bristles.

 

Rinse Immediately

 

Start by rinsing your brush under warm running water as soon as you finish painting. One of the key steps in how to clean up paint brushes is removing wet paint before it begins to dry and stick to the bristles.

 

2. Use Mild Soap

 

Apply a drop of dish soap or a mild detergent directly onto the bristles. Gently massage it in to loosen any leftover paint, working it through with your fingers or a brush comb.

 

3. Massage and Rinse

 

Use your fingers or a brush comb to gently massage the soap into the bristles. Continue rinsing and working through the brush until the water runs completely clear, an important part of mastering how to clean up paint brushes properly.

 

4. Dry Flat

 

Once clean, shake off excess water and reshape the bristles with your fingers. Lay the brush flat on a clean, dry surface; this helps retain its shape and prevents moisture from seeping into the handle.

 

Read more: Want flawless walls with minimal effort? Check out our blog on How to Use a Roller to Paint a Wall for simple, expert-approved tips. 

 

How to Clean Brushes After Oil-Based Paint

 

Oil-based paints need a different cleaning method. Water won’t do the job here. Instead, you’ll need solvents like mineral spirits or paint thinner. Let’s look at how to clean brushes after oil-based paint the right way:

 

1. Pour Solvent into a Container

 

Start by filling a glass jar or metal container with a small amount of mineral spirits or paint thinner. Make sure the container is wide enough to let the brush move freely without bending the bristles.

 

2. Swirl the Brush Gently

 

Dip the brush into the solvent and gently swirl it around to dissolve the paint. Avoid pressing down hard; this prevents the bristles from getting damaged or losing their shape.

 

3. Use Soapy Water

 

Once most of the paint is removed, wash the brush with warm, soapy water to get rid of any remaining solvent. Follow this with a rinse under clean water to ensure the brush is fully free of residue.

 

4. Dry and Reshape

 

Gently pat the brush dry using a clean cloth or paper towel. Then, use your fingers to reshape the bristles and lay the brush flat on a surface to air dry completely.

 

How to Clean a Dried-Up Paint Brush

 

Forgot to clean your brush, and now it’s stiff as a board? Don’t throw it away just yet. Here’s how to clean a dried-up paintbrush and possibly bring it back to life.

 

1. Soak in Vinegar or Solvent

 

 Identify the type of paint used; white vinegar works well for water-based paints, while a solvent like paint thinner is needed for oil-based ones. Soak the brush for a few hours to start softening the dried paint clinging to the bristles.

 

2. Loosen with a Brush Comb

 

Once the bristles begin to soften, gently comb through them using a brush comb or an old toothbrush. This helps dislodge stubborn paint without pulling or breaking the fibres.

 

3. Repeat If Needed

 

 For heavily dried brushes, one round of soaking may not be enough. Don’t rush; alternate between soaking and combing until most of the dried paint is removed.

 

4. Rinse and Reshape

 

After cleaning, rinse the brush thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining residue. Then reshape the bristles carefully and lay the brush flat to dry, keeping it ready for your next project.

 

Paint Brush Maintenance Tips

 

 

 

Now that you know how to clean up paint brushes, let’s look at a few maintenance tips that can keep them in good shape long-term.

 

1. Clean Right After Use

 

The golden rule in paintbrush maintenance is to clean your brush as soon as you're done painting. Allowing paint to dry on the bristles makes it harder to clean and can permanently damage the brush.

 

2. Store Properly

 

After cleaning, store brushes either flat or hanging with the bristles facing down; this helps maintain their shape and prevents moisture from seeping into the handle, which could loosen the ferrule.

 

3. Use Brush Guards

 

Brush guards are protective sleeves that slide over the bristles. They help the brush retain its original shape while drying and during storage, reducing the risk of fraying or bending.

 

4. Avoid Soaking Overnight

 

Leaving brushes in water or solvent for too long can weaken the adhesive that holds the bristles in place. Always limit soaking time to what's necessary for cleaning, then dry them properly.

 

Smart Brush Care Starts with Simple Steps

 

Keeping your brushes in good condition doesn’t require professional skills -just the right approach and a little care. Whether you’re painting an entire room or doing a quick touch-up, knowing how to clean them properly can make the job easier and your tools last longer.

 

By now, you know the right way to handle different types of paint, recover hardened brushes, and maintain your tools for future use. A few simple habits can make a big difference in both your finish and the life of your brushes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Painting your home is fun and hassle-free when planned well. For that, you must know all about various aspects of the painting process. Find answers to all your paint questions here!

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This Website/ App is owned by Grasim Industries Limited, Birla Paints division (“Grasim”).

“we” / “us” / “our” means Grasim Industries Limited (Grasim) 

“You” or “your” means any person who visits our Website/ App. 

 

Please read these Terms and Conditions of use carefully before using this Website/App. The Terms and Conditions set forth below (the "Terms") as well as those contained in the Privacy Policy of the Website/App governs your use of the Website/App and are legally binding on you. If you do not agree to all of these Terms or Privacy Policy, do not use access or otherwise this Website/App or any information contained on the Website/ App. 

Your use of the Website/App shall be deemed to be your understanding of, and agreement, to each of the Terms set forth herein. Grasim may revise and update these Terms from time to time. Your continued usage of the Website/App shall be considered as an implied acceptance/deemed consent to abide by these Terms for usage of this Website/App.

Privacy Policies

1. PURPOSE

Thank you for visiting our Website/ App. This Website/ App is owned by Grasim Industries Limited, Birla Paints division (“Grasim”). This Privacy Policy is designed to tell you about our practices regarding collection, use, and disclosure of information that you may provide via this Website/ App. Grasim is committed to protecting the privacy of every individual who installs and/or uses the Website/App. We have adopted the following Privacy Policy, which sets out the basis on which any personal data we collect from you, or that you provide to us, will be handled and dealt by us through your use of the Website/App. Please be sure to read this entire Privacy Policy before using, or submitting any information, to this Website/App, which is intended for use by residents of India.

2. SCOPE OF APPLICATION

 

  1. This policy will be applicable to all personally identifiable information that you provide to Grasim while visiting or using the Website/App. This Website/App contains links to other Apps. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of such other Apps. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our Website/App and to read the privacy statements of any other App that collects personally identifiable information.
  2. Grasim expressly reserves the right to change this Privacy Policy periodically in future which will be exercised at its sole discretion, and at such intervals of it choosing the right without prior notice to the users. User shall review our Privacy Policy available at the Website/App regularly to be sure you are fully updated with our current practices and procedures in this area. Your continued use of the Website/App will be subject to the then-current Privacy Policy. 
  3. The following discloses our information gathering and dissemination practices for the Website/App:
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3. DATA GATHERING
 

Collection of Information: We may collect information that you share with us through your use of our Website/App, for example by: 

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4. OUR USE OF YOUR INFORMATION

 

Our primary goal in collecting personally identifiable information is to provide you with a smooth, efficient and customized experience. This allows us to provide services and features that are most likely to meet your needs, and to customize the Website/App and our services to make your experience easier. We may use the information we collect from you to provide you with information and services that you request from us. We use personally identifiable information in the files we maintain about you, and the other personally identifiable information we obtain from your current and past activities on the Website/App to provide you with services.

4.1. Our Disclosure of Your Information

 

  • Due to the existing regulatory environment, we cannot ensure that all of your private communications and other personally identifiable information will never be disclosed in ways not otherwise described in this Privacy Policy. By way of example (without limiting the foregoing), we may be required to disclose personally identifiable information to the government, law enforcement agencies, or third parties under certain circumstances; third parties may unlawfully intercept or access transmissions or private communications; or users or authorized users may independently abuse or misuse your information that they collect from the Website/App in violation of our Website/App’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Therefore, although we use industry standard information security practices to protect your privacy, we do not promise, and you should not expect, that your personally identifiable information or private communications will always remain private. 

  • As a matter of policy, we do not sell or rent any personally identifiable information about you to any third party. However, the following describes some of the ways that your personally identifiable information may be disclosed. 

  • Other Corporate Entities: We may sometimes share data with our affiliates, associates, subsidiaries, joint ventures, group entities, and third-party service providers that provide us with services and/or provide you with services. To the extent that these entities have access to your personally identifiable information, we will ask them to treat it at least as protectively as they treat personally identifiable information they obtain from their other authorized users or members. Our affiliates, subsidiaries, and joint ventures will follow privacy practices no less protective of all authorized users and members than our practices described in this document, to the extent allowed by applicable law. It is possible that Grasim, its subsidiaries, associates, affiliates, joint ventures or any combination of such, could merge with or be acquired by another business entity. Should such a combination occur, you should expect that Grasim would share some or all of your personally identifiable information in order to continue to maintain and provide access to the Website/App. 

  • Legal Requests: Grasim co-operates with law enforcement inquiries, as well as other third parties to enforce laws relating to matters, such as intellectual property rights, fraud and other rights. We can (and you authorise us to) disclose any personally identifiable information about you to law enforcement and other government officials as we, in our sole discretion, believe reasonably necessary or appropriate, in connection with any investigation.

4.2. Changing Your Personally Identifiable Information

 

In case you request to remove your personally identifiable information from our records, we will retain such information in our files and databases, in order to use it in some unavoidable circumstances, such as to resolve disputes, troubleshoot problems, and enforce our terms and conditions. Further, such prior personally identifiable information is never completely removed from our databases due to technical and legal constraints, including stored "back up" systems. Therefore, you should not expect that all of your personally identifiable information will be completely removed from our databases in response to your requests. 

5. USER OF COOKIES

 

The Website/App may use "cookies" (information stored on Your computer/Your Computer Resources which include mobiles phones and Apps) by your browser at our request. "Cookies" is a term generally used for small text files a web App can use to recognize repeat users, facilitate the user's ongoing access to and use of the Website/ App, allow a Website/ App to track usage behaviour and compile aggregate data that will allow content improvements and targeted advertising, preferences etc. Cookies themselves do not personally identify you, but they do identify your computer, computer resources and devices connected with computer resources and include Mobile phones. Generally, cookies work by assigning a unique number to the computer that has no meaning outside the assigning Website/ App. You are also being made aware that Grasim cannot control the use of cookies or the resulting information by advertisers or third parties hosting data on Grasim Website/App. If You do not want information collected through the use of cookies, you may change the settings in the browsers that allows to deny or accept the cookie feature as per your discretion and in the manner agreed by you. 

6. SECURITY

 

Grasim will use reasonable security measures to safeguard the confidentiality of your personal identifiable information. Although we will put our best efforts to protect your personal data, we cannot guarantee the security of your data transmitted to our Website/ App; any transmission is at your own risk. Once we have received your information, we will use strict procedures and security features which are appropriate to the type of personal information you have provided to try to prevent unauthorised access or inadvertent disclosure. However, you agree and acknowledge that "perfect security" does not exist on the Internet. 

7. CHANGES TO OUR PRIVACY POLICY

 

We reserve the right to change, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the Website/ App at any time. Any modifications we may make to our privacy policy in the future will be posted on this page. Continued use of the Website/App will signify that you agree to any such modifications.

8. LEGAL DISCLAIMER

 

This is the official Website/ App of Grasim Industries Limited and provides general information about Grasim Industries Limited. The information and content are based on the laws applicable in India. While efforts are made to keep the information on this Website/App accurate and timely, Grasim does not guarantee or endorse the content, accuracy or completeness of the information, text, graphics, hyperlinks and other items contained herein or on any other server. This Website/ App and the materials, information, and references to services and products if any herein, including without limitations, text, graphics and links, are provided "as is" without representations or warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. To the fullest extent permissible, Grasim disclaims any warranties, express and/or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, freedom from computer virus and warranties arising from course of dealing or course of performance. Grasim does not represent or warrant that the functions contained in the Website/ App will be uninterrupted or error free, that defects will be corrected or that the Website/App or the server that makes the Website/App available are free of viruses or other harmful components. Grasim does not make any warranties or representations regarding the use of the materials in the Website/App in terms of their completeness, correctness, accuracy, adequacy, usefulness, timeliness, reliability or otherwise. Users, shall always keep indemnified, defend and hold Grasim, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents harmless, from and against any claims, demands, causes of action, debts or liability, costs and expenses, including, without limitation, attorney's fees, based upon or relating to a third party claim against Grasim arising from any action or inaction of User or for any liability or expense-due to claims for personal injury or damage to property arising out of the fault or negligence of the User. Grasim is not responsible for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages that may arise from the use of or the inability to use, the Website/App and/or the materials contained on the Website/App irrespective of whether the materials contained on the Website/App are provided by Grasim. The contents of this Website/App are subject to change without notice. Commercial use of any of the contents of this Website/App in any manner is prohibited without prior written permission from an authorised person. No reproduction of any part of the Website/App may be sold or distributed for commercial gain nor shall it be modified or incorporated in any other work, publication or Website/App, whether in hardcopy or electronic format, including postings to any other App. Grasim reserves all other rights. No information on this Website/App shall constitute an invitation to invest in the listed companies belonging to the “Aditya Birla Group” conglomerate. Neither Grasim nor the entities belonging to the “Aditya Birla Group” conglomerate, nor their respective officers, employees or agents shall be liable for any loss, damage or expense arising out of any access to or use of this Website/App or any App linked to it, including, without limitation, any loss or profit, loss of business, loss of use, indirect, incidental or consequential loss. By viewing this Website/App you are deemed to agree to jurisdiction of the courts at Mumbai, India in respect of any action arising therefrom or related thereto.

 

If you have any questions about this Policy or other privacy concerns, you can also email us at legal.birlapaints@adityabirla.com

August 2023

9. Customer Consent

 

By agreeing to this privacy policy, you agree to receive promotional messages, offers, and updates from the Company via SMS, RCS (Rich communications message service), WhatsApp, etc.

GRASIM INDUSTRIES LIMITED, Birla Paints division

 

9th floor, Birla Centurion, Century Mills Compound, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli, Mumbai– 400030, Maharashtra, India. 
 

Registered Office:
Birlagram, Nagda- 456 331 (M.P.) Tel: (07366) 246760-66, Fax: (07366) 244114, 246024, CIN: L17124MP1947PLC000410  
 

Allwood Contractor App Helpdesk 

Call: 1800 120 1234, Monday to Saturday, 09:30 am – 6:30 pm (Except Public Holidays).

Email: paints.custcare@adityabirla.com

Product Warranty

Terms and Conditions for product warranty registration of Birla Opus products



  1. The Warranty shall be effective from the date of purchase of the Product as per the tax invoice (“Warranty Start Date”), provided that painting work is fully complete, and the Consumer registers the Product for warranty.

  2. The Product must be registered within 15 days from the date of purchase by calling customer care at 18001201234 or registering on www.birlaopus.com and furnishing purchase details as required during the Warranty registration.

  3. The Warranty shall be valid for parameters and period as defined in the respective product warranty document (‘Warranty Period’) from the Warranty Start Date. 

  4. Upon settlement of any claim, Warranty of replaced Product will not start afresh, and will continue for the remainder of the Warranty Period from the Warranty Start Date.

  5. If there is a break/ lag in completing the painting work, the registration of the Warranty and Warranty Start Date will be determined by the Company at its sole discretion.

  6. The Company may appoint a person to examine and confirm the application of the Product as per the directions specified prior to registering the Warranty.

  7. For registering of Warranty, where quantity of Product purchase is equal to or more than 200 litres, please call our Helpline on 1800 120 1234 with requisite details. The registration of Warranty in such cases is subject to a satisfactory pre‐inspection at site by Company’s representative.

  8. For the warranty to be applicable:
    1. Minimum volume of the product required to be purchased needs to be met
    2. Birla Opus recommended system needs to be used
    3. Product coverage and application guidelines need to be adhered
       

For more details, please refer to respective  product specific warranty document and product information sheet.

  1. Consumer may raise a claim within 30 days of discovering issue(s) noticed on the affected areas based on Warranty Parameters/ scope

  2. The Consumer is required to notify the Company of the issue(s) noticed along with the invoice details, sample pictures and basis for Warranty invocation by contacting the customer care at 1800 120 1234. The Consumer shall provide such additional details as required by the Company and/or allow the Company to visit/inspect the painting site either in portion or entirety at the Company’s discretion.  

  3. In case where the Company decides that the Warranty is applicable on the issue(s) noticed on the affected areas, the Company shall bear the Replacements Costs as detailed in respective product warranty document to repair/ repaint the affected areas.

  4. Replacement Costs shall mean the cost of material and labour required to correct the affected portions, as determined by the Company.

  5. In case where the Company decides that Warranty is not applicable, the same shall be communicated to the Consumer.

  6. Warranty is applicable only to the affected area where the Product is used in accordance with application guidelines and not to the rest of the areas.

  7. In case the Consumer carries out repair works on the areas covered under the Warranty, the same shall be at their own risk and the Company’s Warranty on the Product shall not be valid on such repaired areas.

  8. The Warranty will cover only manufacturing defects of the Product and will not cover any defects arising out of factors not in control of the Company. For more details of exclusions, please refer to the warranty document of respective product. 

  9. Except expressly stated, the Company disclaims any liabilities whether in contract, tort or otherwise. The Company makes no warranty regarding merchantability or fitness of products for any particular purpose. 

  10. The Company shall not be held liable towards loss or damages of incidental, indirect or consequential nature or for any value more than the tax invoice value. 

  11. In case of any disputes, exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Mumbai shall apply. Governing laws shall be Laws of India.

  12. The facts and all matters concerning any Warranty/ claim/ dispute will always be kept confidential by both the Consumer and the Company.