Here’s a clear, step‑by‑step guide on how to clean gloss paint off brushes, plus some safety and “what if it’s dried?” tips.

First, identify your gloss paint

Most “gloss” on woodwork and trim is either:

  • Water‑based (often called acrylic, latex, or water‑based gloss)
  • Oil‑based (traditional solvent/alkyd gloss, satin, or eggshell)

The cleaning method depends on which one you’ve used.

Quick way to tell

  • Check the tin: It will say water‑based (clean with soap and water) or oil‑based (clean with white spirit/mineral spirits or brush cleaner).
  • Smell and feel: Oil‑based gloss smells stronger and feels tackier and slower to dry.

For water‑based gloss (easiest to clean)

Water‑based gloss brushes can usually be cleaned with mild soap and water.

Step‑by‑step

  1. Remove excess paint
    • Scrape the brush on the edge of the tin.
    • Wipe remaining paint on newspaper or paper towel until it’s almost dry.
  1. Rinse under cool or lukewarm water
    • Hold the brush bristles‑down under a running tap for around 30 seconds at a time.
    • Gently press and fan out the bristles with your fingers so water reaches deep into the brush.
  1. Wash with mild soap
    • Put a little washing‑up liquid or hand soap in your palm or a small container.
    • Work the soap into the bristles with your fingers, massaging from the ferrule (metal part) to the tips.
    • Rinse and repeat until the water runs clear.
  1. Squeeze, flick, and shape
    • Squeeze out water with your hand or an old cloth.
    • Flick the brush outside or in a bucket to remove more water, or spin it by rolling the handle between your palms over a container.
 * Comb and reshape the bristles to a neat edge and lay flat or hang to dry.

For oil‑based gloss (needs solvent)

Oil‑based gloss needs a proper brush cleaner, white spirit, or mineral spirits.

What you’ll need

  • Brush cleaner / white spirit / mineral spirits (follow the paint tin’s recommendation)
  • A jar or paint kettle with a lid
  • Gloves, old cloths or rags, and good ventilation

Step‑by‑step

  1. Wipe off as much paint as possible
    • Scrape brush edges on the tin.
    • Wipe heavily on newspaper or a rag until only a thin film of paint remains.
  1. Soak in solvent
    • Pour enough brush cleaner or white spirit into a jar to just cover the bristles.
    • Swirl and stir the brush in the solvent for about 30 seconds to loosen paint.
 * Press the bristles against the side of the jar to push solvent through the brush.
  1. Repeat with clean solvent if needed
    • Wipe the brush on a cloth, then dip into fresh solvent if the first jar is very dirty.
    • Continue until very little paint is coming out into the solvent.
  1. Wash out solvent with soapy water
    • Mix warm, soapy water in a separate container.
    • Massage the bristles in the soapy water to remove solvent and remaining paint.
    • Rinse under a tap until the water is clear.
  1. Dry and store
    • Squeeze out the water with a cloth, flick or spin the brush to remove more moisture, then reshape the bristles.
    • Lay flat or hang by the handle hole to avoid bending bristles.

Many decorators use purpose‑made tools like the Dandy Pro brush and roller cleaner with a drill to clean and spin brushes very quickly, including those used in oil‑based gloss.

If the gloss paint has dried on the brush

Once gloss has hardened, saving the brush is harder but sometimes still possible.

Try this:

  • Soak in solvent longer
    • Place the brush in a jar of brush cleaner or white spirit and leave it to soak for several hours (or overnight), checking occasionally.
    • Comb the bristles with your fingers or a brush comb to break up softened paint.
  • Use a brush comb or wire brush carefully
    • Work from the ferrule outwards, never scraping hard at the tips or bending them sharply.
    • Too much force can permanently splay or break the bristles.
  • Vinegar method (last resort for water‑based)
    • Some DIY guides suggest simmering a brush in vinegar for dried water‑based paint, then combing and rinsing, but it’s less effective on oil‑based gloss and can be harsh on bristles.

If the bristles are rock‑solid right up to the ferrule and don’t move even after soaking, the brush is usually beyond saving and may be cheaper to replace than to keep using solvents.

Safety, mess, and disposal

  • Ventilation and skin safety
    • Work in a well‑ventilated area and avoid breathing solvent fumes.
    • Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin and keep solvents away from children and pets.
  • Don’t pour solvent or paint sludge down the drain
    • Let used solvent sit so paint solids settle at the bottom, then pour the clearer liquid off the top into a labelled jar to reuse.
* Wipe out remaining sludge with paper and dispose of it according to your local hazardous‑waste rules.
  • Protect sinks and new kitchens
    • If you’re cleaning brushes in a new kitchen or bathroom, use a bucket or tray inside the sink and line it with newspaper or an old rag so splashes don’t stain surfaces. This is a common concern in DIY discussions about cleaning gloss brushes at home.

Pro tips to make cleaning easier next time

  • Keep a small jar of solvent on hand while using oil‑based gloss and dip the brush occasionally rather than letting paint build up.
  • If you’re taking a short break (up to a day), wrap the brush tightly in plastic or foil instead of cleaning it fully, so paint doesn’t start to harden.
  • Invest in a decent brush; better‑quality bristles clean more easily and last longer.

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