This week I discovered one of my good acrylic paintbrushes was as hard as a rock… I obviously didn’t clean it properly the last time I used it! Hoping to recover the brush I did a little online search for ways to soften up the bristles. I was pleased to discover that the solution was in my kitchen cupboard… white vinegar.

Here’s the method I used* :

• • Place the brush’s bristles down into a glass or jar.
• • Fill with white vinegar just to the metal ferrule.
• • Let sit for a few hours. At this point the bristles will have softened up considerably.
• • Pour some white vinegar into a shallow pan on the stove, and place the brush’s bristles into the vinegar until are submerged.
• • Gently heat the white vinegar (not to boiling!) until paint is loosened from the bristles.
• • Rinse the brush in water, then use gentle hand soap to suds up the bristles to remove any vinegar.
• • Rinse well. Condition bristles with a brush cleaner optional.
• • Make a mental note to wash the brush more carefully next time it’s used!

*Inspired by eHow.com (How to Soften Paint Brushes and How to Clean Paint Brushes That Have Hardened)