best way to clean brushes? what's your system?

I am not sure I am cleaning my brushes correctly. I am using soap and water obviously but it seems like it takes FOREVER! What's the best way to clean and sanitize them? Also, does anyone use barbicide to disinfect? I am pretty sure I am going to get some..(former hairstylist in me!)

Normally just rinse them and letting them air dry. My makeup brushes get washed with a soap or dish wash and sometimes they all get covered in balsam and left for half an hour before rinsing.
If on set, a alcohol wipe.

I wash them with Ivory soap, then rinse, and saturate in 70% isopropyl alcohol...and let them dry completely before using again, while I am working. At home, I wash them all with shampoo, and let air dry before putting back in the kit.

When doing "make-up" I use Parian Spirit for cleaning my brushes. It is too expensive for FP and doesn't work very well to get the water based pigments out of the brushes, but great for oil based stuff. Again, I wash all brushes with shampoo when I get home (and the natural hairs get a little conditioner too!)

Have you guys heard of a new product that's just been demo'd in the states for cleaning brushes? I can't remember the name of it, I have a sample and will get the name tomorrow. Apparently it comes in wipes, or a spray and you can use it to clean your brushes (sanitizes them as well,) even your paints if you wish. It's being marketed to makeup artists but would work really well for us i think.

Anyone heard of it? Or how effective it is? I will get the name tom like i said, but i'm to tired tonight

They were demo'ing that (or practically the same thing! cause it came in spray and wipes) at the last Make-Up Artist Trade Show I attended in Pasadena... I wasn't impressed.

It did not actually get the brush CLEAN... there was still crud in the base of the loofe and while it may have been "santized" it was not clean.

I think it is more marketing than "cleaning" IYKWIM?

I use the davinci soap... and alcohol...

Anyone use the 'flushable' type of of brush cleaner. Fresh water comes out, you swirl the brush around and push button and the dirty water disappears in a holding container. I think it's battery operated.

I know people who have tried those Judy...generally, they ended up switching back to what they used before. The reservoir is not very big and the water doesn't stay clear when flushed as black paint for instance clings to the plastic of the container...

Thanks for the insight Shannon..... just another gadget that I don't REALLY need! lol

And there are SOOOO many!!!

I've recently started washing them on a soap bar (not ivory, but I can't remember...Lever 2000?) and they come out soooo much cleaner that when I used the so called brush cleaners on the market. The soap even got the staining out of the bristles! Then I rinse twice. I don't use alcohol while I paint mainly because the smell of it makes me nauseaus but I do use it at the end of gig cleanup.

I am going to try the bar of soap trick! thanks!

I've heard about using baby shampoo. Any thoughts?

I've tried it and it gets the paint out...but it doesn't do too hot a job on getting the staining out, kwim? I figure it's made mild for tender heads, so maybe my paint is tougher that the shampoo?

So the Ivory Soap takes care of the staining?

What about the staining on my sponges??? Anything for that? I just figured it was a fact of life.

Ok... nevermind... just found the sponge thread. Ivory soap is what I need.

I use Brush bath from Sillyfarm, works great.

I love Ivory. remember to condition your brushes afterwards with something like Masters.

My 2 favorite cleaners are Ivory bar soap and the best house hold disinfectant is white vinegar.

Jenny

I am a flip flopper trying to find my favorite. I like the pink soap and have also done the liquid Ivory. I have used the SillyFarm brush bath too - but was concerned about the lavendar and tea tree oil - my red headed daughter always gets irritated by lavendar products.

Ivory bar soap to wash brushes and sponges.

70% isopropyl alcohol to sanitize while working.

NOTHING in the rinse water.

I use old Masters brush cleaner & conditioner on my sponges & brushes with lots of rinse water to make sure no residue is left in them.
Susan

I use baby shampoo on site then wash with ivory at home.

I have to wash my brushes between each child. I drop my brushes in a tray with the baby shampoo and water. (All my brushes are plastic handled as wood would fall apart after awhile). When I get a break or my helper will clean them and set them aside to dry. I do not resue my sponges. Once used on one child, they are thrown away. As you can guess, I go through a lot of sponges.

I have hand sanitizer for the picky parents but I am not required to use an alcohol product. I am happy about that because all my new brushes (another impulse buy) were expensive and alcohol did dry out my former brushes. Little bits started falling out. I do not want a repeat.

Are using cosmetic wedges since you have to throw out the sponges?

ok this will seem like a silly question - do you pour the isopropyl alcohol over the brushes to sanitize or swish the brush in a cup with the alcohol?
Thanks!

Rosenberg-Cox wrote:I use baby shampoo on site then wash with ivory at home.

I have to wash my brushes between each child. I drop my brushes in a tray with the baby shampoo and water. (All my brushes are plastic handled as wood would fall apart after awhile). When I get a break or my helper will clean them and set them aside to dry. I do not resue my sponges. Once used on one child, they are thrown away. As you can guess, I go through a lot of sponges.

I have hand sanitizer for the picky parents but I am not required to use an alcohol product. I am happy about that because all my new brushes (another impulse buy) were expensive and alcohol did dry out my former brushes. Little bits started falling out. I do not want a repeat.

OMG, you throw away your sponges!!!!! I want to work behind you, I'd be taking them home with me and washing 'em to reuse. This must bring up your cost per face a lot.

Of course, I guess that's a really nice thing knowing that your face is being painted with a new sponge. I can see where parents would really like that.

Jenny