Caring for you Purdy brushes

03 June 2025

 

For the last 100 years, we’ve worked hard to perfect our brushes to ensure they deliver the desired finish for users, every time. Designed to last for years, with the right care and attention, a set of Purdy brushes could last throughout your painting and decorating career. Here, we highlight the best way to clean and care for your Purdy brushes to ensure they last as long as possible.

 

How to clean your brushes

 

After using water-based paints:

A mixture of warm water and mild soap suds is the best cleaning solution to remove water-based paints.

1. Remove excess paint from the brush and then prepare soapy water in a clean container. Dip the paint brush into the mixture, working the soap through the brush bristles.
2. Follow with a clean water rinse. Repeat the above step if necessary.
3. For stubborn water-based paints, use mineral spirits or lacquer thinner on the bristles, followed by the first two steps.
4. After cleaning, remove excess water by spinning the paint brush. Reshape the brush to its original shape and lay it flat to dry – this prevents it from “curling” at the end.
5. Store the brush in its original keeper to help it keep its shape.

 

After using oil-based paints:

To remove oil-based paint or varnish, we recommend using a cleaning solvent like mineral spirit or paint thinner. Ensure you are wearing gloves in this case.

1. Remove excess paint from the brush and then pour some cleaning solvent into a container and dip the paint brush in. Work the solvent through the brush bristles, submerging it in the container several times.
2. It may be necessary to use more than one clean container of spirit or thinner. Clean the brush until the liquid runs clear; pay particular attention to the area around the ferrule where paint can build up.
3. Spin the paint brush to remove any excess cleaning solvent.
4. Read the cleaning solution’s label instructions on how to properly dispose of the used cleaning solution.

 

To ensure a thorough clean after every use, we would recommend using a paint comb such as our Brush and Roller Cleaner. This tool can be used to help pull away any paint stuck deep inside the brush bristles near the ferrule. It also has a handy curved edge designed to help remove leftover paint from roller sleeves – not only to clean the sleeve but to conserve paint for future use.

 

Keep the keeper

 

Each Purdy brush comes packaged in a cardboard ‘keeper’; but this isn’t just any packaging. The brush head keeper is designed to maintain the shape of the brush bristles between uses and protect them from impact during transportation. A special coating is applied to the keeper which helps to absorb moisture from the brush after it has been cleaned, helping it to dry efficiently.

 

Good quality brushes are an investment, so it is important to properly care for your tools to ensure they last as long as possible. By following these steps, you can ensure that your brushes continue to deliver the same great results for you for years to come.