Quick Guide to Solvent Free Brush Cleaning

Since I’ve graduated, I’ve mostly been painting at home or in spaces with not great ventilation. Despite popular belief, I do try to be a little careful when it comes to toxic parts of oil painting. I used to just go outside to clean my brushes with Gamsol. However I didn’t like the cold winter, when it rained, or the heat of the summer. So I switched to using safflower oil to clean my brushes.

Safflower oil can be used as a painting medium as well, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s doesn’t give as nice a finish as linseed or stand ,and seems to take longer to dry. If you are looking for a longer dry time I'd recommend something like walnut oil instead.

To clean brushes with Safflower oil you’ll need two jars or a jar with a spring in the bottom (that’s what I’m using.) Also, wear either reusable or disposable gloves the whole time. You want to try and minimize chances of paint getting on your skin. 

Pour a good amount of safflower oil into the jar. Wipe off any extra paint on the brush first. Then mix it around in the jar, just like how you’d try to rinse acrylic off a brush in some water. 

Then, try to scrape off extra oil on the side of the jar, paint will come off as well. Keep mixing and scraping the brush until it seems good enough. 

Take a paper towel and clean the oil off

your brush. If a lot of color comes off, keep mixing your brush in the oil. If there isn’t any color, or just a faint amount you can go wash your brushes in the sink.

I use Old Masters Brush Soap, I think it works the best. Then you just soap your brushes and scrub them as best as you can. Many paints will stain the bristles. Make sure to at least wash all the soap out. Then, you can let your brush dry for next time. 

Originally published in July 2024 edition of my newsletter, "From the Artist's Studio"