PaintingProGuide is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Brush soap is the final, most important step of cleanup. Water rinses out the surface paint, but pigment hides deep in the belly of the bristles and up against the ferrule, and only soap lifts it out. A dedicated paint brush soap does that without stripping the bristles the way dish soap can, and many also condition so the brush dries soft and in shape. For painting crafts, a good brush soap is the difference between brushes that last a season and brushes that last years.
Quick answer: For most crafters, The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver is the best brush soap: a solid cake that cleans acrylic, oil and watercolor and conditions in the same step. If you prefer a liquid, Speedball Pink Soap cleans and conditions without greasy residue. For brushes with paint that has already dried, a soak in U.S. Art Supply Brush Cleaner and Restorer comes before the soap, and the 1 oz Masters is the size to keep in a travel kit.
Types of Paint Brush Soap
Solid cakes
A puck of soap in a tub. Wet the brush, swirl it on the surface and lather in your palm. Cakes last a long time, travel well and many include conditioners. The downside is that cleaning a lot of brushes one by one takes time.
Liquid soaps
Squeeze or pump bottles you lather in your palm or a small dish. Faster for batches of brushes and easy to use in a classroom.
Gel and paste cleaners
Thicker formulas that cling to bristles, useful for working into the ferrule area.
Soaking cleaners and restorers
Not soap in the traditional sense, but solutions you soak brushes in to soften dried paint. Use them before soap when paint has hardened.
Household soap
Bar soap and mild dish soap work in a pinch for synthetic craft brushes. Rinse thoroughly, since residue can affect paint flow, and avoid harsh degreasers on natural hair.
How to Wash Brushes With Brush Soap
- Wipe first: squeeze out paint on a paper towel or rag.
- Rinse: in lukewarm water for water-based paint; in odorless mineral spirits first for oil.
- Load the soap: swirl the damp brush on a cake, or put a drop of liquid soap in your palm.
- Work the lather: move the brush in small circles in your palm, then press gently from ferrule to tip to push paint out.
- Check the lather color: keep rinsing and re-soaping until the lather stays white.
- Rinse clean: until no soap remains, unless the product is meant to be left in to condition.
- Reshape and dry: form the tip and lay the brush flat or bristles down.
Cleaning many brushes at once
After a group craft session, sort brushes by size, rinse them all, then work through them with soap in batches. A textured silicone brush-cleaning mat or the ridges on some palettes help scrub bristles without damaging them. Rinse each batch, reshape, and lay brushes in a row on a towel to dry.
Why brush soap beats plain water
Acrylic paint is a polymer emulsion: once water starts to evaporate, the particles begin fusing into a film. Rinsing in water removes most of the wet paint from the outside of the brush, but a thin film coats every bristle and a reservoir of pigment sits in the belly of the brush where the bristles meet the ferrule. Soap surrounds and lifts those particles so they rinse away. Skipping soap leaves a little residue each time, and over weeks that residue stiffens the base of the bristles and pushes them apart. That gradual splaying is why so many craft brushes seem to “wear out” long before the bristles are actually worn.
Brush soap for different craft brushes
- Detail rounds and liners: lather gently and stroke toward the tip; never twist.
- Flats and filberts: press flat in your palm and push paint out from the ferrule.
- Stencil and stippling brushes: dense bristles hold paint; work soap in thoroughly and rinse several times.
- Foam brushes and sponges: squeeze in soapy water and rinse until clear.
- Glue and Mod Podge brushes: wash immediately with warm soapy water; dried glue rarely comes out.
Water temperature
Use lukewarm water. Hot water can loosen ferrule glue and damage natural hair, and very cold water does not dissolve soap well. With acrylic, avoid hot water until paint is out, as heat can make some paints set.
Caring for the soap itself
Solid cakes last longest when they dry between uses: leave the lid off for a while after cleaning, and tip out any water pooled on top. Rinse paint-stained lather off the cake surface so pigment does not transfer to the next brush. For liquid soap, use a small dish rather than lathering directly over the bottle opening, and keep the cap closed so it does not thicken.
An end-of-session routine in five minutes
Wipe every brush on a rag, rinse them together in a water jar, then soap them one at a time starting with the smallest detail brushes, which matter most. Rinse, reshape and lay them flat on a towel. Wipe the palette and empty the water jar last. Done every time, this short routine keeps a craft brush set in good condition for years.
Brush Soap Versus Other Cleanup Options
| Option | Removes Fresh Paint | Removes Dried Paint | Conditions | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brush soap (cake or liquid) | Yes | Partly, with time | Often | End of every session |
| Soaking restorer | Yes | Yes | Sometimes | Rescuing neglected brushes |
| Mineral spirits | Oil paint | Partly | No | First rinse for oils |
| Dish soap | Yes | No | No | Emergency use |
| Art wipes | Yes, on tools and hands | No | No | Mid-session cleanup |
Fine brushes repay good cleaning more than any others. If you are building a set of detail brushes, see our guides on using a liner brush for detail work and which brush sizes work best for detailed acrylic painting.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver, 2.5 oz — Best overall brush soap
- Speedball Pink Soap Brush Cleaner and Conditioner, 12 oz — Best liquid brush soap
- The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver, 1 oz — Best travel-size brush soap
- U.S. Art Supply Brush Cleaner and Restorer, 4 oz — Best pre-soak for dried paint
- Green Piece Paint Brush Cleaner and Restorer, 18 oz — Best natural, solvent-free cleaner
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Masters, 2.5 oz | Everyday cleaning | Solid cake, cleans and preserves | Oils, acrylics, watercolor, varnish | $ |
| Speedball Pink Soap | Liquid convenience | 12 oz, cleans, preserves, conditions | No chlorides, phosphates, solvents or alcohol | $$ |
| The Masters, 1 oz | Travel kits | Small cake cleaner and preserver | Safe for Kolinsky sable per listing | $ |
| U.S. Art Supply Restorer | Dried paint pre-soak | 4 oz soaking solution | Softens dried acrylic and oil | $ |
| Green Piece Cleaner | Natural option | 18 oz, fruit extracts and minerals | Wet or dry paint, safe for hands | $$ |
How We Chose
We compared these products using Amazon listing details checked in October 2026, focusing on their cleaning and conditioning claims, compatibility with acrylic, oil and watercolor, format, size and safety labeling. We also considered how widely each product is reviewed by Amazon buyers. We have not tested these soaps; descriptions come from the listings. A contractor-style brush and roller cleaner and a set of paint brushes that appeared in the same search were left out because they are not artist brush soaps.
- Cleaning range: acrylic, oil, watercolor, varnish.
- Conditioning: leaves bristles soft and shaped.
- Format: cake, liquid or soak.
- Residue: rinses cleanly without film.
- Safety: non-toxic, gentle on hands.
Best Paint Brush Soaps for Painting Crafts Reviewed
1. The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver, 2.5 oz — Best for Everyday Cleaning
The Masters cake from General Pencil Company is the brush soap many painters reach for first. The listing describes a simple one-step process that removes oils, acrylics, watercolors, stains and varnishes and keeps brushes performing like new, for sable, bristle and synthetic brushes.
A 2.5 oz cake lasts a long time with daily use, and the preserving effect means your brushes come out soft rather than squeaky.
Best suited for: Crafters and painters who want one soap for every medium.
Key features:
- 2.5 oz solid cake
- Cleans and preserves in one step
- Oils, acrylics, watercolor, varnish
- Sable, bristle and synthetic
Pros:
- Works across media
- Long-lasting cake
- Conditions as it cleans
Cons and limitations:
- Slower than liquid for many brushes
- Cake can get messy if left wet
- Mid price tier
Buying consideration: Let the cake air dry with the lid off after use so it does not turn soft and mushy.
2. Speedball Pink Soap Brush Cleaner and Conditioner, 12 oz — Best for Liquid Convenience
Speedball’s Pink Soap is a liquid that cleans oils, acrylics and watercolors from brushes and acts as a cleaner, preserver and conditioner. The listing says it leaves no greasy residue and contains no chlorides, phosphates, solvents or alcohol.
A 12 oz bottle is efficient for batch cleaning after classes or long sessions, when lathering brushes one by one on a cake would take too long.
Best suited for: Teachers, workshop hosts and painters with many brushes to clean.
Key features:
- 12 oz liquid
- Cleans, preserves and conditions
- Oils, acrylics, watercolors
- No solvents or alcohol per the listing
Pros:
- Fast for batches
- No greasy residue
- Gentle formula
Cons and limitations:
- Liquid can be wasted if over-poured
- Listing format details vary
- Mid price tier
Buying consideration: Pour a small amount into a shallow dish for group cleanup rather than passing the bottle around.
3. The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver, 1 oz — Best for Travel Kits
The 1 oz Masters is the same cleaner and preserver in a pocket-size tub. The listing says it cleans and conditions in one step, is formulated for artist paints, inks, dyes, stains and varnishes, and will not harm synthetic or natural hair brushes such as Kolinsky sable.
It also notes that leaving the product on a brush for up to several hours can remove old dried paint and stains. It is made in the USA by General Pencil Company to ACMI AP non-toxic standards.
Best suited for: Plein air painters, urban sketchers and anyone with a travel kit.
Key features:
- 1 oz cake
- Cleans and conditions
- Safe for Kolinsky sable per the listing
- ACMI AP non-toxic
Pros:
- Pocket size
- Same trusted formula
- Low price tier
Cons and limitations:
- Small for studio use
- Cake format slower for batches
- Higher cost per ounce
Buying consideration: Keep it in a zip bag in your field kit so a damp cake does not wet other supplies.
4. U.S. Art Supply Brush Cleaner and Restorer, 4 oz — Best for a Dried Paint Pre-Soak
U.S. Art Supply’s solution is a soaking cleaner for brushes with dried-on acrylic, oil, gouache, inks and water-based paints. Soak brushes as needed and remove softened residue with a wipe, knife or toothbrush; the listing says it cleans paint off within minutes to hours.
Use it as the first step for neglected brushes, then follow with brush soap to finish the job and condition the bristles.
Best suited for: Crafters with brushes that soap alone cannot clean.
Key features:
- 4 oz soaking solution
- Dried acrylic, oil, gouache, inks
- Soak, then wipe or comb
- Also cleans airbrushes
Pros:
- Handles dried paint
- Clear directions
- Low price tier
Cons and limitations:
- Not a conditioner
- Long soaks for old paint
- Small bottle
Buying consideration: Suspend brushes so only the bristles sit in the solution during a soak.
5. Green Piece Paint Brush Cleaner and Restorer, 18 oz — Best for a Natural Option
Green Piece describes its 18 oz cleaner as made from fruit extracts and minerals, with no paint thinner or turpentine, and safe for hands. The listing says it removes wet or dry acrylic, latex, oil and shellac and keeps brushes soft and conditioned.
It doubles as a cleaner for tools, desks and paint stains on clothes, with a citrus scent. It is made in the USA.
Best suited for: Crafters who prefer a solvent-free, multipurpose cleaner.
Key features:
- 18 oz
- Fruit extracts and minerals
- Wet or dry paint
- Safe for hands per the listing
Pros:
- Large bottle
- Solvent-free
- Multipurpose
Cons and limitations:
- Highest price tier
- Citrus scent
- Test on a brush first
Buying consideration: Try it on an inexpensive brush first, then on your good ones.
Buying Guide: How to Choose Paint Brush Soap
Cake or liquid
Cakes last longer and travel well; liquids are faster for many brushes. Some painters keep both.
Conditioning
Soaps with preservers or conditioners leave bristles softer and better shaped.
Paint compatibility
Look for products that clean the paints you use, especially if you work in both acrylic and oil.
Residue
Formulas that rinse clean avoid film that affects paint flow.
Dried paint
Soap handles fresh paint. For dried paint, add a soaking restorer to your kit.
Safety
Non-toxic, solvent-free soaps are best for home, kids and classrooms.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Stopping before the lather runs white, leaving pigment at the ferrule.
- Scrubbing brushes hard against the bottom of a jar.
- Using hot water on wet acrylic or natural hair.
- Leaving soap cakes wet and closed, which turns them mushy.
- Relying on dish soap for expensive natural hair brushes.
- Skipping soap after mineral spirits when cleaning oil brushes.
FAQs
What is the best soap for cleaning paint brushes?
A dedicated brush soap such as The Masters or Speedball Pink Soap cleans acrylic, oil and watercolor and conditions bristles. Mild dish soap works in a pinch for synthetic brushes.
Can I use dish soap on paint brushes?
Yes, occasionally, especially for synthetic craft brushes. It can dry out natural hair and leave residue, so rinse well and condition afterward.
How do I know a brush is clean?
Lather it with soap in your palm. When the lather stays white and no color comes from the ferrule area, the brush is clean.
Do I need different soap for oil and acrylic brushes?
Many brush soaps clean both. For oil, rinse in mineral spirits first, then wash with soap and water.
Should I leave soap in my brushes?
Some painters leave a little conditioning soap in to hold the shape during storage, then rinse before painting. Follow the product’s directions.
How do I clean brushes with dried paint?
Soak the bristles in a restorer designed for dried paint, comb out softened residue, then wash with brush soap.
Final Recommendation
The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver is the best everyday brush soap, with Speedball Pink Soap as the liquid choice for batch cleaning. Keep the 1 oz Masters in your travel kit, U.S. Art Supply Brush Cleaner and Restorer for dried paint, and Green Piece if you want a natural, solvent-free option.
