Q&A for How to Soften a Paintbrush

To try to get as much paint off of the dry brush as possible, put it in some water or Mineral Spirits paint thinner. Then, clean the brushes with laundry detergent to help soften the bristles.

Soak the paint brush in mineral spirits to think the paint. Then, remove as much of the paint as possible. However, be careful that you don't handle the bristles too roughly, as they can get damaged.

Sometimes if you soak them in hot water for a couple of minutes, it helps. If these are oil brushes though, you can't use them right away. Don't soak them for too long as it's bad for your brushes!

Mix hot water and vinegar in a jar and place your brushes in the solution. Since this won't smell very good, it's best to place the jars in a room you don't use very often. There are some other great tips in the article.