Best Brush & Pen Cleaners for Artists
Proper care of brushes and pens is essential for any artist. Using high-quality cleaners designed specifically for art tools can extend their lifespan and keep them working like new. This article explores the best options for cleaning brushes and pens used for painting, drawing, calligraphy and more.
Types of Brush & Pen Cleaners
There are a few main types of cleaners for art supplies:
- Liquid cleaners - Typically solvent-based solutions designed to dissolve dried paint, ink, and other media.
- Bar soaps - Solid cakes of soap specially formulated to get into bristles and clean deeply.
- Sprays - Cleaning sprays provide a quick way to rinse brushes between colors.
Factors to Consider
When choosing a brush or pen cleaner, here are some key factors to consider:
- Your media type - Select a cleaner designed for your specific media, whether oil, acrylic, watercolor, marker, ink, etc.
- Ingredients - Avoid harsh chemicals. Look for cleaners with gentle, effective ingredients.
- Ease of use - Liquid cleaners offer the most thorough cleaning for dried paints and inks. Sprays are great for quick cleaning between colors.
- Brush care - Ensure the cleaner is safe for natural and synthetic bristles.
Top Brush & Pen Cleaner Recommendations
| Cleaner | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Pink Soap Bar by The Masters | Oil paint |
|
| Mona Lisa Odorless Brush Cleaner | Acrylics, watercolors, gouache |
|
| Grumbacher Brush Cleaner | All paint media |
|
When it comes to pens, look for ink-specific cleaners like KOH-I-NOOR Rapido-Eze for drawing pens or Lexington Pen Flush for cleaning fountain pens. For markers, alcohol-based cleaners work well to dissolve dried ink.
Using Cleaners Properly
Always follow manufacturer instructions closely when using any brush or pen cleaner. General tips include:
- Work the cleaner into the bristles until the water runs clear and no pigment remains.
- Rinse thoroughly under lukewarm water.
- Blot brushes dry with a lint-free cloth, reshape the bristles, and lay flat to dry.
- Don't allow brushes to soak too long, as this can damage the glued portion of the bristles.
- Dispose of used liquid cleaner properly. Most cannot be poured down the drain.
With regular cleaning using the right products for your supplies, you'll be rewarded with tools that last for many happy years of creating art.
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II. Types of Brush & Pen Cleaners
There are several major types of cleaners specially designed to remove dried paint, ink, and other media from brushes and pens:
Liquid Cleaners
Liquid cleaners are solvent-based solutions formulated to dissolve and loosen dried acrylic, oil, and watercolor paints. They are the most thorough option for deep cleaning.
- Odorless mineral spirits - Used for cleaning oil paints
- Denatured alcohol - Effective on dried acrylics
- Mild soap solutions - For watercolor paints
Bar Soaps
Solid bar soaps are ideal for working the soap directly into the bristles to flush out paint and debris.
- Mild and gentle on bristles
- Easy to use with a wet brush
- Long-lasting and economical
Spray Cleaners
Cleaning sprays offer a convenient way to quickly rinse brushes between color changes.
- Portable and easy to use
- Prevent colors from mingling
- Rinse easily with no residue
Specialized Pen Cleaners
For pens, look for products designed for the specific medium:
- Alcohol-based cleaners for dried marker ink
- Pen flush solutions for fountain pens
- Rapid dry cleaners for drawing pens
With the wide variety of quality brush and pen cleaners available, artists can keep their tools in optimal condition for creative work.
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III. Factors to Consider When Choosing a Cleaner
With so many options on the market, it's important to keep these factors in mind when selecting a brush and pen cleaner:
Your Media Type
The most important consideration is choosing a cleaner formulated for your specific media. Using the wrong cleaner can permanently damage brushes and pens.
- Oil paints - Mineral spirits, linseed oil soaps
- Acrylics - Alcohol-based cleaners, mild detergents
- Watercolors - Gentle soap solutions
- Inks - Alcohol or pen flush formulas
Ingredients
Avoid cleaners with harsh chemicals like turpentine. Look for gentle, effective ingredients:
- Plant-based soaps
- Food-grade oils
- Low-odor solvents
Ease of Use
Consider convenience factors like:
- Liquid cleaners offer deep cleaning for dried paints.
- Sprays are great for quick, on-the-go cleaning.
- Soap bars allow easy scrubbing of bristles.
Brush Care
Ensure the cleaner is safe for your brushes. Check that it:
- Contains brush conditioners
- Won't damage natural or synthetic bristles
- Rinses cleanly without residue
Value
Compare cost, volume, and versatility when choosing between products.
With some knowledge of your supplies and thoughtful evaluation of cleaner features, you can select effective products tailored to your specific art tools.
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IV. Top Brush & Pen Cleaner Recommendations
With so many options on the market, here are some top-rated cleaners for keeping brushes and pens in optimal condition:
Pink Soap Bar by The Masters
This vegetable oil-based soap has been a favorite for decades among oil painters for its gentle yet effective cleaning. It contains no harsh solvents that could damage bristles.
- Cuts through oil paints without dulling brush tips
- Leaves zero soapy residue behind
- Bar lasts through many washings
Mona Lisa Odorless Brush Cleaner
Specially designed for acrylics, watercolors, and gouache, this low-odor cleaner contains coconut and soybean oils to gently condition brushes as it cleans them. It rinses cleanly with water.
- PHA-balanced formula is safe for natural hair brushes
- Removes dried paints without harming ferrules
- 16 oz bottle lasts for hundreds of paintings
KOH-I-NOOR Rapido-Eze
This rapid-action pen cleaner quickly dissolves dried India ink inside drawing pens. It helps maintain smooth ink flow and prevents clogging of pen tips.
- Makes pens write like new
- Extends life of pens
- Convenient 1 oz bottles for travel
General Pencil Company Pen Cleaner
Specially formulated for marker enthusiasts, this cleaner tackles stubborn dried acrylic, fabric, alcohol, and water-based marker inks. It helps restore smooth ink flow.
- Evaporates quickly and leaves no residue
- Safe on pen barrels and nibs
- Sold in handy 2 oz pen-shaped bottles
Investing in the best cleaners designed for your specific pens and brushes will give you the best results for optimal performance.
V. Using Cleaners Properly for Best Results
While quality cleaners are important, technique is also key to properly caring for brushes and pens. Follow these tips:
Brush Cleaning
- Start by thoroughly wetting the bristles in lukewarm water to rehydrate them.
- Work a small amount of cleaner into the bristles using your fingers or a secondary scrub brush.
- Gently massage the base of the bristles to loosen all paint deposits.
- Rinse under running water, repeating cleaning if needed to remove all pigment.
- Rinse with brush soap/conditioner to finish.
- Blot excess moisture with a lint-free cloth or paper towel.
- Use your fingers to reshape the bristles before drying.
- Lay flat or hang the brush to dry completely before storing.
Pen Cleaning
- Flush the pen by filling and emptying it with room temperature cleaner 2-3 times.
- Optionally, let the pen soak nib-down in a shallow container of cleaner for 5-10 minutes.
- Rinse the pen under running water until the cleaner is fully flushed out.
- Blot dry with a soft cloth, gently wipe the nib clean, and let air dry.
- Prime the pen by filling it with ink and making a few test marks before use.
Safety Tips
- Work in a well-ventilated area.
- Avoid soaking brushes too long, which can damage the ferrule.
- Rinse all cleaners thoroughly, as residues can damage bristles.
- Discard used cleaner properly - don't pour down drains.
With some care and right techniques, your art supplies will stay in great shape for many paintings to come.
How to use your Amazon Prime to buy Brush & Pen Cleaners
Having a Prime membership gives you access to a wide selection of brush and pen cleaners available for convenient shipping in just a couple days. Here's how to take advantage of your Prime benefits when stocking up on art supply cleaners.
Browse the Prime Eligible Selection
Start by browsing Amazon's Prime Eligible section under Arts, Crafts & Sewing to see all the brush and pen cleaners available for free 2-day shipping for Prime members. Use the left hand navigation to filter by Prime eligibility. You can further filter by brand, price, ratings and more to narrow your options.
Add Items to Your Cart
When you find a Prime eligible brush cleaner or pen flush that fits your needs, simply click "Add to Cart". Items marked as Prime eligible will have a Prime checkmark on the listing. Add as many eligible cleaners as you like to your cart.
Proceed to Checkout with Qualifying Items
Once you're ready to purchase, head to your cart and proceed to checkout. Make sure all the items in your cart are marked as Prime eligible to ensure free 2-day shipping. Amazon will notify you at checkout if any items are not eligible.
Select Free Two-Day Shipping
On the shipping method screen during checkout, you will see the free two-day Prime shipping option for your eligible items. Make sure this is selected to get your cleaners quickly without any shipping fees.
Track Your Package
Once your order is placed, you can track its progress under Your Orders. Prime packages typically ship within 1 business day and arrive within 2 days. Brush up on those cleaning skills while you wait for your new cleaners to arrive!
With thousands of art supplies available for Prime delivery, you can easily keep your brushes, pens and tools clean and ready to create your next masterpiece.
The Best Brush And Pen Cleaners For Oil Painting
When it comes to cleaning brushes and pens used for oil painting, there are several options available. Here are some of the best brush and pen cleaners for oil painting:
- Winsor & Newton Brush Cleaner & Restorer
- U.S. Art Supply Brush Cleaner and Restorer
- Solvents such as turpentine, paint thinner, and mineral spirits
- Natural oils such as olive oil, walnut oil, linseed oil, and safflower oil
- Marseille Brush Soap Pellets
- GOJO
It's important to note that some of these options have toxic properties, so it's important to use them in a well-ventilated area. Additionally, it's recommended to remove excess paint from the brush with a rag or paper towel before cleaning it with any of these solutions.
