Keeping your creative tools clean doesn’t have to mean introducing toxic chemicals into your workspace or the environment. From simple kitchen staples to biodegradable cleaners, there are plenty of safe, effective ways to care for brushes, paints, and other materials. This guide walks you through non-toxic cleaning methods for both water and oil-based paints, tips for rescuing dried brushes, and eco-conscious disposal practices to protect waterways and reduce waste. All without compromising your art.
Cleaning up after a creative session is often where harmful chemicals enter the picture, but there are many non-toxic alternatives. For water-based paints, simple dish soap and warm water work remarkably well, while Murphy’s Oil Soap can help condition bristles and extend brush life . You can even salvage brushes with dried paint, simply by soaking them in water with soap for about 20-30 minutes, followed by combing out the residue after soaking. In the case of oil paints, you can use natural oils to dissolve pigments which don't have the toxic drawbacks of traditional solvents, you can use natural oils like safflower or linseed. Artists often recommend dipping brushes in safflower oil, followed by squeezing out the excess paint. This process is repeatable, until the brushes are eventually fully clean. You can follow this up with a gentle soap wash for extra sanitization. Vinegar and other natural soaks can also help loosen stubborn dried paint. While fabric softener has been tested as a cleaner, studies show vinegar is more effective, though both are less powerful than soap-based cleaning (lovegrowswild.com). Non-toxic all-purpose cleaners, such as Simple Green—which is biodegradable and EPA Safer Choice certified—are another great option. The process is straightforward: soak brushes for 7–10 minutes, rinse thoroughly, reshape bristles, and store them upright.
For a better eco-friendly practice, learning how to dispose of waste properly is important. Do not rinse paint or solvents directly into sinks or drains if you don’t want to pollute waterways. It’s safer and more resourceful to scrape excess paint back into it’s container, or onto a newspaper if needed. Afterwards, wipe your tools until clean give them a gentle rinse. For disposing of water-based paints, gather water for rinsing in a separate container. Allow it to evaporate before getting rid of the solids, you can do this outdoors. For the disposal of oil-based paints, reuse the cleaning solution and dispose of it. Make sure to follow local regulations on hazardous waste disposal.