How to Clean Dried Latex Paint From Brushes

You can remove latex paint from paint brushes, even if it has dried.

Latex paint is usually easier to remove than oil-based paint. This is because latex is water-based. Normally, you will not have to use solvents, such as paint thinner, to clean off your brushes -- even after latex paint has dried. Nevertheless, you have to soften and dissolve the paint to remove it, and it will take more time to clean these brushes than if they had been rinsed quickly after use.

Things You'll Need

• 2 cans or buckets
• Dish soap
• Paintbrush comb
• Fabric softener

Instructions

1. Fill two large empty paint cans or buckets with hot water. One will be for cleaning and the other for rinsing.

2. Wet the brush in one of the containers of water. Remove the brush and rub dish soap on the wet bristles.

3. Place the brush back in the container and swirl the brush around to loosen the paint. Use a paintbrush comb to further remove paint from between the bristles. If you do not have access to these combs, use a wide-tooth hair comb to gently teases the paint from the bristles.

4. Swish the brush around in the container again to remove the paint. Withdraw the brush and rinse it in the other container.

5. Check the brush for remaining paint. If dried paint still remains, follow the advice of Northwest Renovation. First, dump out the cleaning bucket and refill with 1/2 gallon of warm water. Add 1/4 cup of fabric softener to this and swish the brush around in this mixture until all paint is gone. Rinse the brush in your rinse bucket.

6. Hang the paintbrush to dry, with the bristles facing down, by the handle.

References

• Ask the Builder: Cleaning Paint Brushes
• Northwest Renovation: Paint Brushes 101