So you have decided to do a paint job and have rooted out those old paint brushes that you neglected to clean the last time you had a surge of painting enthusiasm. So what to do? Can these brushes be saved? Well, fear not. All is not lost.
Obviously, cleaning brushes immediately after use is the best option. If the brush has ... been left for a long time and is completely encrusted with paint, then it will need to be left to soak in a brush restorer (available from most half decent DIY stores) until the brush is soft again. Place some white spirit in a basin (you don"t need to use much), and work the bristles of the brush into the white spirit. This will help to soften the bristles and clean them at the same time. Once you are happy that all the paint is removed then clean with soapy water.
Your brushes should now be as good as new. This is much cheaper than buying a whole new set of brushes and will also serve as a good reminder for you to clean those pesky brushes immediately after use.
