Quick answer: Yes, you can use turpentine to clean paint brushes used with oil paint, alkyds and oil-based varnishes. Wipe off excess paint, swish the brush in a jar of turpentine, wipe again, repeat in a second cleaner jar, then wash with mild soap and warm water to remove the solvent and remaining oil. Turpentine is not useful for acrylic or watercolor brushes, and because it is flammable with strong fumes, always use it in a ventilated space and handle rags and waste carefully.
Oil paint does not wash out with water, so oil painters need a solvent to clean their brushes. Turpentine has been the traditional choice for centuries, and many artists still prefer it. But it is not the only option, and using it carelessly can harm both your brushes and your health. So can you use turpentine to clean paint brushes safely and effectively? Yes, with the right method.
This guide covers which brushes and paints turpentine works for, a step-by-step cleaning method, safety and disposal, how it compares with mineral spirits and other cleaners, and how to keep brushes in good shape for years.
What Is Turpentine?
Artist-grade turpentine, often sold as gum spirits of turpentine or pure gum turpentine, is a solvent distilled from pine tree resin. It dissolves oil paint, many natural resins and oil-based mediums. It has a strong, distinctive pine smell and evaporates fairly quickly.
Two things to know:
- Artist grade vs hardware grade. Turpentine sold for painting fine art is usually refined to a higher purity. Hardware-store turpentine may contain more impurities. For mixing into paint or mediums, artist grade is the standard; for brush cleaning, either will dissolve oil paint, but cleaner solvent leaves less residue.
- Turpentine substitutes. Products labeled “turpentine substitute” or “turpenoid” are usually petroleum-based mineral spirits, not true turpentine. They behave differently and often smell less.
Which Brushes and Paints Can You Clean With Turpentine?
| Paint type | Turpentine works? | Better cleaner |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional oil paint | Yes | Turpentine, odorless mineral spirits, or oil + soap method |
| Alkyd oil paint | Yes | Turpentine or mineral spirits |
| Water-mixable oil paint | Not necessary | Soap and water |
| Oil-based varnish or medium | Usually | Follow the product label |
| Acrylic paint | No | Soap and water while wet |
| Watercolor and gouache | No | Water |
| Dried acrylic | Poorly | Isopropyl alcohol or a brush restorer |
Turpentine is safe for natural bristle brushes (hog, sable, squirrel) and most synthetic brushes made for oil painting. Prolonged soaking can loosen the glue in the ferrule or dry out natural hair, so keep contact brief.
Brush construction matters here. A brush with a seamless, tightly crimped ferrule and well-set bristles survives repeated solvent cleaning far better than a loosely assembled one, and keeping separate brushes for oil and water-based paints avoids cross-contamination. If you are unsure whether your current set is built for oils, our guide to paint brushes for art explains bristle types, shapes and which sets suit oil painting.
How to Clean Oil Paint Brushes With Turpentine
What you need
- Two glass jars with lids (or a brush washer with a coil or grate)
- Artist-grade turpentine
- Paper towels or lint-free rags
- Mild soap or a dedicated brush soap
- Warm water
- Gloves
- A metal container with a lid for used rags
Step-by-step
- Wipe off excess paint. Squeeze the bristles gently in a paper towel from ferrule to tip. Removing as much paint as possible first keeps your solvent cleaner for longer.
- First rinse (“dirty” jar). Swish the brush in the first jar of turpentine for 10 to 20 seconds. Press the bristles against the bottom or a coil to work paint out of the heel near the ferrule. Do not grind the tip into the jar.
- Wipe again. Squeeze out the solvent and loosened paint with a paper towel.
- Second rinse (“clean” jar). Repeat in the second jar of cleaner turpentine until little color comes out.
- Wash with soap and water. Lather the brush in your palm with mild soap and lukewarm water. This removes leftover solvent and oil that could otherwise dry in the bristles. Rinse and repeat until the lather is white.
- Reshape the bristles. Gently form the brush back into its original shape with your fingers.
- Dry properly. Lay brushes flat or hang them bristles down. Never stand wet brushes upright on their handles, because water and solvent can run into the ferrule and loosen the glue.
Between colors during a session
You do not need the full soap wash every time you change color. Wipe the brush, swish briefly in turpentine, and wipe again. Save the soap wash for the end of the session.
Safety: Using Turpentine Responsibly
Turpentine is effective but hazardous if handled carelessly. Follow the product label and safety data sheet, and these general precautions:
- Ventilate. Work near an open window or with good airflow. Turpentine fumes can cause headaches, dizziness and respiratory irritation.
- Protect your skin. Turpentine can irritate skin and some people develop sensitivities. Wear nitrile gloves.
- Keep away from flames and heat. Turpentine is flammable. Do not use it near open flames, space heaters or while smoking.
- Use small amounts. A few ounces in a jar is enough. Keep the lid on when not in use to reduce evaporation and fumes.
- Keep away from children and pets. Store in the original labeled container, tightly closed.
- Do not eat or drink while painting. Wash hands before handling food.
Rags and spontaneous combustion
Rags soaked with oil paint, linseed oil or oil mediums can generate heat as the oil dries and, in some conditions, ignite on their own. Turpentine itself does not cause this, but cleanup rags usually contain oil too. Store used rags in a sealed metal container filled with water, or lay them flat outdoors to dry fully before disposal, following local guidance.
How to Reuse and Dispose of Turpentine
You do not need to throw out turpentine after every session.
- Let it settle. Close the dirty jar and leave it for a few days. Pigment sinks to the bottom as sludge.
- Decant the clear solvent. Carefully pour the clear turpentine off the top into a clean jar for reuse.
- Dry the sludge. Let the remaining sludge dry out in a ventilated area away from flames.
- Dispose properly. Never pour turpentine or paint sludge down drains or onto the ground. Take liquid solvent and dried sludge to a household hazardous waste collection point, or follow your local waste authority’s rules.
A practical rhythm many painters follow: when the “clean” jar starts to look cloudy, it becomes the new “dirty” jar, the old dirty jar goes aside to settle, and a fresh or decanted jar takes over as the clean rinse.
Turpentine vs Other Brush Cleaners
| Cleaner | Effectiveness on oil paint | Odor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gum turpentine | Strong | Strong pine smell | Traditional; flammable; can irritate |
| Odorless mineral spirits | Good | Low | Popular studio choice; still flammable; still ventilate |
| Citrus-based solvent | Good | Strong citrus smell | Not odorless; can still irritate |
| Vegetable oil or safflower oil, then soap | Moderate to good | None | Solvent-free method; requires thorough soap washing |
| Brush soap | Good for final wash | Mild | Removes residue after solvent or oil rinse |
| Acetone | Strong but harsh | Strong | Can damage synthetic filaments and ferrule glue |
The solvent-free oil method
Many painters avoid solvents entirely. Wipe the brush, work it in a small amount of inexpensive vegetable or safflower oil to loosen the paint, wipe again, then wash thoroughly with brush soap and water. It takes a little more time but avoids solvent fumes. Make sure no oil is left in the brush if you plan to use it for lean underpainting layers later.
Can You Use Turpentine to Clean Acrylic Brushes?
Not effectively. Acrylic paint is water based while wet and becomes a plastic film when dry. Turpentine does not dissolve dried acrylic well. For wet acrylic, use soap and water. For dried acrylic, isopropyl alcohol or a commercial brush restorer is more effective. Soaking an acrylic brush in turpentine just exposes you to fumes without solving the problem.
How to Restore Brushes With Dried Oil Paint
If oil paint has dried in a brush, turpentine alone may not be enough.
- Soak only the bristles, not the ferrule, in turpentine or a brush restorer for several hours.
- Work the softened paint out with your fingers (wearing gloves) or a brush comb.
- Repeat soaking as needed.
- Wash thoroughly with soap and warm water.
- Reshape and dry flat.
If paint has hardened deep in the heel for a long time, the brush may not recover fully. In that case, it can become a dedicated texture or scumbling brush.
Brush Care Tips for Oil Painters
- Clean promptly. Oil paint dries slowly but will eventually harden. Clean at the end of each session.
- Avoid long soaks. Leaving brushes standing in solvent bends bristles and weakens ferrule glue.
- Keep solvent out of the ferrule. Dip only the bristles.
- Use a brush washer. A container with a coil or grate lets you scrub gently while sludge sinks below.
- Condition natural hair. Occasional washing with a brush soap that conditions helps keep natural bristles supple.
- Store dry brushes properly. Upright in a jar handle-down or flat in a case, with bristles protected.
- Rotate brushes. Keep older brushes for rough work and better ones for detail.
Brushes last much longer when cleaned well, but they do wear out. Splayed tips, bristles that no longer spring back and loose ferrules are signs it is time to retire a brush to rough work.
Choosing Brushes That Handle Solvent Well
Brushes intended for oil painting are built to tolerate solvents. Hog bristle brushes are a traditional choice for oils; their natural split ends hold thick paint and recover well after solvent cleaning. Synthetic brushes designed for oils are also common and are often easier to clean. Very soft natural hair brushes, such as sable, can be used with oils but deserve gentler cleaning and less exposure to harsh solvents.
When you look at sets, check whether they are labeled for oils, acrylics or both, and whether the ferrules are seamless and securely crimped. A loose ferrule is more likely to fail after repeated cleaning. For help comparing sets by shape and use, see our roundup of professional paint brush sets for every painting style.
Common Mistakes
Skipping the soap wash
Leaving turpentine and oil in the bristles can make them stiff and gummy over time. Always finish with soap and water.
Using one jar for everything
A single jar quickly becomes muddy, and brushes come out still dirty. The two-jar system keeps the final rinse clean.
Pouring solvent down the sink
Solvents and paint pigments can harm plumbing and waterways. Settle, reuse and dispose of waste at a proper collection site.
Painting in a closed room
Fumes build up quickly. Ventilation is essential, even with low-odor solvents.
Storing oily rags in a trash can
This is a fire risk. Use a water-filled metal container or dry rags flat outdoors before disposal.
FAQs
Can you use turpentine to clean paint brushes for acrylic?
No. Turpentine does not dissolve acrylic well. Use soap and water for wet acrylic, and isopropyl alcohol or a brush restorer for dried acrylic.
Is turpentine bad for paint brushes?
Used briefly and followed by a soap wash, turpentine is fine for oil painting brushes. Long soaks can dry natural hair and weaken ferrule glue.
Is mineral spirits better than turpentine for cleaning brushes?
Odorless mineral spirits clean oil paint well with less odor, which many painters prefer. Turpentine is stronger and traditional but more irritating.
Do I need to wash brushes with soap after turpentine?
Yes. Soap and water remove remaining solvent and oil, keeping bristles soft and preventing buildup.
How do you dispose of used turpentine?
Let pigment settle, reuse the clear solvent, dry the sludge, and take waste to a household hazardous waste facility. Never pour it down drains.
Can you clean oil brushes without turpentine?
Yes. Many painters use vegetable or safflower oil to loosen paint, then wash with brush soap and water, avoiding solvents entirely.
Final Thoughts
Turpentine cleans oil paint brushes effectively when you wipe first, use two jars, finish with soap and water, and respect ventilation and fire safety. Low-odor mineral spirits or an oil-and-soap routine are good alternatives if fumes bother you. Clean brushes last longer, but when it is time to replace them, our guide to choosing quality paint brushes for art can help you find the right shapes and bristles.
