How to Clean Paint Brushes With Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is often added to household cleaners, because it is a safe acid that works to not only clean but deodorize as well. Although it is an additive to a lot of cleaners, it can also be used on its own to clean things. One of the things it is really good at cleaning is paint brushes. This is a cheaper mixture than you would normally buy at the store to clean your brushes and generally works just as well.

Things You'll Need

• Lemon juice
• Borax
• Clean rag
• Shallow pan or bucket

Instructions

1. Run the paintbrushes under water. This will get a lot of the paint out of the brush.

2. Mix one part lemon juice and two parts borax and stir it in the pan or bucket until the borax is somewhat dissolved.

3. Take the brush and press it into the mixture. You will want to use your hands and/or another rag to get more of the paint off of the brush as well. You will also have to dab it and press the bristles on the bottom of the pan to get the inside bristles clean. This process may take a while, but it will get your brushes clean.

4. Use straight lemon juice on the clean rag that you have to clean the handles of the paintbrush. Rub the lemon onto the handle and the paint should come off fairly easily.

5. Repeat some of these steps as needed to make sure that the brush is clean before you put it away until the next time.

Tips & Warnings

• This method may not work for all types of paint. You will want to check with the instructions on the paint can for their recommended methods. If you are still unsure, you may want to check with you local hardware store to see if these steps will work for the type of paint that you've selected. Otherwise you'll just end up making a mess and then buying the artificial cleaners anyways.