Paintbrushes are designed to be used more than once and that can last years if taken care of. Even the cheapest of the brush can be used for several painting sessions if your brush is cleaned properly after use. The process of cleaning your paintbrush depends on the types of paints used.

Clean up after use with oil paint is quite different from acrylic or watercolor. So, the type of paint determines the process of thoroughly cleaning your paintbrushes. You can also purchase used and new products online.

When using oil paint:

1. The solvent is needed to clean your brushes. Gum turpentine or mineral spirits simply is the most common choice for solvent. There are others out there, but for the money, this is the best for cleaning.

2. Use glass jars with lids as a place to put your solvent, the contents of the tube about ¼ to ½ full and cover with a lid when not in use.

3. You'll need some paper towels – one or two pieces

4. Dip the brush into the solvent – about one-third below the tip of the brush

5. Take the brush and soon covered the tip with a paper towel and swish the brush tip on a paper towel. This process will get dirty paper towels to leave the paint and solvents in the towel and not a paintbrush.

6. Continue this process until the solvent is only visible in a paper towel and no paint color is present.