# Best Brush Soaps and Cleaners for Miniature Painting Source: https://minipaintlab.com/best/best-brush-soap-cleaners Updated: 2026-10-02 Publisher: Mini Paint Lab. Our score is an editorial rating out of 10 (fit 35%, features 25%, build 20%, value 20%), not a customer rating. Method: https://minipaintlab.com/how-we-research#our-score A good kolinsky sable brush can cost more than the miniature you are painting with it, and the fastest way to ruin one is to skip proper cleaning. Acrylic paint dries in the ferrule, splays the bristles, and kills the fine point you paid for. A dedicated brush soap or cleaner dissolves that buildup, conditions the natural hair, and can even coax a hooked tip back into shape. In this guide we compare the most popular soaps, conditioners, and restorers used by miniature painters, from classic solid pucks to liquid cleaners for stubborn dried paint. We cover how each one handles synthetics versus sable, how long a tin actually lasts, and which options are worth keeping at your painting station. ## Picks ### 1. GENERAL'S The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver - Non-Toxic - Cleans & Restores Art Paint Brushes - 2.5 oz Our score: 8.3/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10) GENERAL'S The Masters brush cleaner and preserver in 2.5 oz, a non-toxic soap that cleans and restores paint brushes. Pros: - Cleans dried acrylic from bristles and conditions the hairs - Non-toxic formula is safe for everyday home desk use - Preserver reshapes tips so detail brushes keep their point Cons: - Solid soap tin can get messy without drying between uses - Soap residue must be rinsed well before painting again Details: https://minipaintlab.com/product/B0009RRT9Y ### 2. The Masters Non-Toxic Paint Brush Cleaner and Preserver, 1 Ounce - Artist Brush Soap Removes Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Gouache and Tempera Paints Our score: 7.9/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) The Masters non-toxic paint brush cleaner and preserver in 1 ounce, a small artist brush soap for acrylic and oils. Pros: - Small size is ideal to try the classic brush soap cheaply - Removes oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache and tempera paints - Helps keep sable and synthetic tips shaped between sessions Cons: - 1 ounce tin will run out quickly with daily brush cleaning - Heavily dried acrylic may need several washes to lift Details: https://minipaintlab.com/product/B001TNR7VM ### 3. The Masters Paint Brush Cleaner and Preserver - 24 Ounce Tub - Lemon Scented Our score: 7.7/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10) The Masters paint brush cleaner and preserver in a 24 ounce lemon scented tub, a bulk supply for heavy brush users. Pros: - 24 ounce tub lasts far longer than small tins for clubs or studios - Lemon scent is pleasant compared with unscented soaps - Same trusted cleaning and conditioning formula in bulk Cons: - Large tub is overkill for a single hobbyist with few brushes - Open tub is harder to keep clean than smaller containers Details: https://minipaintlab.com/product/B00178WGHY ### 4. Pink Soap 12-Ounce Brush Cleaner and Conditioner (00132-66) Our score: 7.7/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10) Pink Soap 12-Ounce brush cleaner and conditioner (00132-66), a larger liquid soap for keeping brushes soft and clean. Pros: - 12-Ounce bottle offers good value for frequent brush washing - Conditioner keeps bristles supple and less prone to splitting - Works well as a daily end-of-session cleaning routine Cons: - Bigger bottle takes more space on a crowded hobby desk - Needs thorough rinsing so soap does not dilute next paint Details: https://minipaintlab.com/product/B0027A79I2 ### 5. Speedball Art Products 13264 Mona Lisa Pink Soap-4 Ounces Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) Speedball Mona Lisa Pink Soap in the 4 ounce bottle, a brush cleaner and conditioner that removes fresh and dried oils, acrylics and watercolors. Pros: - Listed as removing dried paint as well as fresh paint from bristles - Conditions and helps reshape brushes, which extends the life of good detail brushes - Works on oils, acrylics and watercolors, so one bottle covers every paint on the desk Cons: - The 4 ounce bottle costs more per ounce than the larger sizes - A liquid soap is easier to spill on a crowded hobby desk than a solid cake Details: https://minipaintlab.com/product/B001QWZLCI ### 6. Winsor & Newton Brush Cleaner & Restorer, 4.0-oz Bottle Our score: 7.0/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) Winsor and Newton brush cleaner and restorer in a 4.0-oz bottle, a solvent-style cleaner for reviving hardened brushes. Pros: - Restorer can soften brushes stiff with dried paint - Trusted art brand known for quality painting products - Small bottle is enough for occasional rescue jobs Cons: - Stronger cleaner is not meant for daily soft washing - Needs soap and water rinsing afterward to protect bristles Details: https://minipaintlab.com/product/B005M4W1VK ### 7. The Masters Mini Clean-Up Artist Survival Kit Our score: 6.8/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10) The Masters Mini Clean-Up Artist Survival Kit, a compact brush cleaning kit bundling soap with useful clean-up extras. Pros: - Kit format gives cleaning essentials in one travel-ready package - Useful for painting at conventions, clubs or on the go - Brand soap is well known for restoring brush tips Cons: - Check exactly what is included in this survival kit - Mini sizes run out quickly for home painting routines Details: https://minipaintlab.com/product/B000YFYOCG As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.