Cleaning Brushes

[zuludog]

OK, I've decided to have a mammoth cleaning session and I've bought some cellulose thinners Until now I've only used white spirit, with a two stage jam jar technique

I've just dipped a brush into some cellulose thinners, about as deep as the ferrule, then worked it against the inside of the jar lid. Sure enough, some old colour is oozing out

My question is this - how long do I leave the brushes soaking in the thinners to achieve the maximum cleaning effect but not bend the bristles by leaving them standing too long?
And afterwards I was thinking of washing them by rubbing on plain white toilet soap with warm water then kneading gently with my fingers, followed by a good rinse - is that OK?

[Guest]

Never leave a brush standing in anything! Use a clothes peg, or some other bit of ingenuity to suspend the bristles in the solvent!

[zuludog]

OK, thanks. I have plenty of clothes pegs!

Several of the brushes have splayed out, rather like miniature shaving brushes. Is there any way of restoring their original shape?

[Guest]

OK, thanks. I have plenty of clothes pegs!

Several of the brushes have splayed out, rather like miniature shaving brushes. Is there any way of restoring their original shape?

No.
Just to clarify this, the only way you can reshape them is by using hot water, and that will permanently kill the "Spring" in them. I'd say even warm water is a total no no - especially with sable

[Guest]

For rough use, Boldmere are your friend, cheap as chips and not too shabby either, perfect for jobs that will ruin your quality sable or prolene brushes. So cheap they can be regarded as disposable

[zuludog]

Right, I've finished my cleaning session - soaked in cellulose thinners; worked carefully against the inside of the jar lid; rinse in white spirit; wash & knead with white soap & water; then rinse in plain water
As you've gathered, I didn't use a clothes peg but they don't seem to have suffered

A count reveals that I have 34 brushes, more than I thought. Split roughly into thirds - sable; synthetic; odds & ends like makeup brushes, budget & unknown fibres that I've picked up over the years. And a reasonable range of sizes in each category
As you've mentioned, I'll use these oddments for rough work

That should keep me going for the forseeable future, but I've decided that I like synthetic brushes, and so that's what I'll buy if I need any more.

[Guest]

I'm glad you wash and knead your brushes in soap and water. Although the brush seems clean up to that stage, the soap (or washing up liquid) brings out quite a lot of colour.