Stationery & Supplies

The Best Brush & Pen Cleaners

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Our picks are based on Amazon bestseller rankings, verified customer ratings, and product availability. We update our recommendations regularly to ensure accuracy.

Maintaining the pristine condition of your brushes and pens is crucial for their longevity and performance. Whether you're an artist, calligrapher, or student, the right cleaner ensures your tools remain in top shape, preventing clogs and preserving the integrity of your materials. Investing in a quality cleaner saves you money and frustration in the long run.

SaleNo. 1
GENERAL'S The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver – Non-Toxic – Cleans & Restores Art Paint Brushes...
  • Removes oils, acrylics, watercolours, stains, & varnishes
  • This is a simple one-step total care process to keep your brushes performing like new!
  • It works on oils, acrylics, watercolors, varnishes, glazes and most synthetic finishes
  • For use on sable, bristle and synthetic brushes
No. 2
The Masters Non-Toxic Paint Brush Cleaner and Preserver, 1 Ounce
  • "The Masters" Brush Cleaner is the world's finest total care product for brushes that cleans and conditions in one step.
  • Formulated for use with artist paints, ink, dye, stain, and varnish. Also works with house paint, grass stains and grease!
  • Can even remove old dried on paints and stains - allow product to sit on brush up to several hours when removing dry paint.
  • Non-abrasive cleaner won't harm synthetic or natural hair brushes like Kolinsky sable.
  • Made in the USA by General Pencil Company to ACMI AP Non-Toxic standards.
No. 3
U.S. Art Supply Brush Cleaner and Restorer, 4 Ounce Bottle
  • A 4-ounce bottle of U.S. Art Supply Brush Cleaner and Restorer. A highly effective cleaning solution for restoring brushes with dried-on acrylic, oil, gouache, inks, and water-based paints.
  • This high-performance brush cleaner is also excellent for removing dried-on paint from airbrushes and all your artist tools and supplies.
  • Use this premium cleaner to keep all your art supplies clean, long-lasting, and ready for use. You will no longer be tossing out brushes with dried-on paint, as you can quickly restore them so you can reuse them repeatedly.
  • Directions for Use: Soak brushes as necessary and remove softened residue with a wipe, knife, or toothbrush. Cleans paint off brushes within minutes to hours for dried acrylic, oil, and water-based paint. For brushes loaded with fully dried acrylic and...
  • For airbrush cleaning use, fill airbrush cup with cleaner and spray cleaner between color changes and immediately after each use. For dried paint in the airbrush, soak affected airbrush parts in cleaner overnight if necessary. Do not soak the whole...
No. 4
Pink Soap 12-Ounce Brush Cleaner and Conditioner (00132-66)
  • DOES IT ALL - Excellent for use to clean oils, acrylics or watercolors from brushes
  • HELPS BRUSHES LAST LONGER - Acts as a brush cleaner, preserver and conditioner
  • LEAVES NO GREASY RESIDUE - Doesn not contain any chlorides, phosphates, solvents or alchohol
  • ACMI CL
No. 5
CONNOISSEURS Diamond Dazzle Stik Engagement and Diamond Ring Cleaner
  • DIAMOND DAZZLE STIK JEWELRY CLEANER: Fast, effective jewelry cleaning solution's advanced formula removes dirt and oils, reduces fine scratches, repels grime, and provides lasting shine with quick, spotless drying; Keeps engagement rings and wedding...
  • BRUSH IT BRILLIANT: Travel-size cleaner pen keeps jewelry sparkling on the go; Brush head dispenses solution to reach between prongs and under settings; Cleaning gel contains micro-fine cleansers and polishing agents that "bring out the bling"; The...
  • EASY TO USE: Simply twist, brush, and dazzle for the quickest sparkle ever; Use this jewelry cleaner pen on diamonds, precious stones, lab-created diamonds, moissanite, and platinum and gold jewelry settings; A must-have for brides to be and couples...
  • THE PERFECT GIFT FOR ANY JEWELRY LOVER: One of the most thoughtful engagement gifts for couples and a standout bridal shower gift for the bride to be, the Diamond Dazzle Stik keeps treasured pieces shimmering with every use; Ideal for weddings...
  • THE GOLD STANDARD IN JEWELRY CARE: Connoisseurs is the world leader in jewelry care; We believe it's an essential part of every jewelry lover's routine, which is why our products make the perfect bride gift and keep couples jewelry and treasured pieces...
  • EASY FIRST-TIME PRIMING: Twist the base until cleaning solution reaches the brush tip. Initial priming may take up to 30 twists, which is normal. After activation, only a few twists are needed for regular use
No. 6
XANGNIER Upgraded Electric Paint Brush Cleaner Machine with Rinser Pad
  • 【EFFORTLESS CLEANING WITH HIGH-SPEED ROTATION TECHNOLOGY】:Say goodbye to manual scrubbing! Let the powerful high-speed rotation (up to 7000 RPM) do the work. This cleaning system deep-cleans each bristle while gently preserving brush integrity...
  • 【SAVE TIME WITH MULTI-BRUSH CLEANING】Why clean one brush at a time? With the ability to clean up to 86 brushes at once, this cleaner lets you focus on your art while it takes care of the mess. A true time-saver, it reduces cleaning time to mere...
  • 【ONE-TOUCH OPERATION & PORTABLE DESIGN】Cleaning your brushes has never been this easy! With a simple one-touch start, the machine automatically gets to work. Plus, it’s lightweight and USB-powered, so you can take it anywhere—whether you're at...
  • 【SAFE, GENTLE, AND LONG-LASTING BRUSH CARE】Your brushes deserve the best. Our cleaner is designed to be tough on paint but gentle on bristles. With each use, it helps prolong the life of your brushes, so they stay in great shape for years of artistic...
  • 【COMPATIBLE WITH ALL PAINTING MEDIUMS】From acrylics and watercolors to oils and gouache, this versatile cleaner is perfect for all your brushes. It effortlessly handles different sizes and shapes, making it an essential tool for artists of all levels.
  • 【ECO-FRIENDLY & WATER-EFFICIENT】Clean up to 86 brushes at once with minimal water waste! Our eco-friendly design helps conserve water, making your cleanup process both efficient and sustainable.
  • 【THE PERFECT GIFT FOR EVERY ARTIST】Packed in a sleek gift box, this electric paint brush cleaner is the ideal gift for any artist. Whether for a student, teacher, or professional, it’s a thoughtful, practical tool that’ll make their painting...
No. 7
JEChrochen Upgraded Paint Brush Cleaner Tool,Brush Rinser Cup Painting Running Water Circulation Art Supplies...
  • 100% ABS plastic.
  • all-in-one: paint brush cleaner, paint brush holder and paint tray; One-touch water change, one-touch rinsing of brushes.
  • A clever little brush cleaner, powered by gravity and valve tech—simple yet ingenious. This is a simple all-in-one brush cleaning process that makes your painting experience more enjoyable.
  • When you're painting with brushes, it assists in cleaning your brushes of oils, acrylics, watercolors, varnish, glazes, and most synthetic finishes. This is a simple all-in-one brush cleaning process that makes your painting experience more enjoyable
  • Works well for cleaning a variety of small to medium brushes, For use on sable, bristle and synthetic brushes
No. 8
LOUINSTIC Nail Brush Cleaner & Conditioner, 30 ml, for Nail Art Brushes
  • NAIL BRUSH CLEANER and CONDITIONER: LOUINSTIC brand new brush conditioner is suitable for breaking in a new brush, cleaning and conditioning acrylic paint / uv gel/nail art pen/poly gel nail brushes/ kolinsky acrylic nail brushes. It will keeps brushes...
  • BRUSH CLEANER and CONDITIONER: Not like the traditional brush cleaner which is acetone-base that will weaken and hurt your brushes,leading to dried and forked bristles. This conditioner contains oily liquid with organic solvents to dissolve gel/glitter...
  • WIDE APPLICATION:1,You can apply it as a brush cleaner to clean your acrylic paint / uv gel/nail art pen brushes, poly gel nail brushes, acrylic nail brushes, it will dissolve gel/glitter residue in your brushes easily and quickly. 2.You can apply it as a...
  • HOW to USE: 1.Pour suitable brush conditioner into a glass cup 2.Dip the brush bristles into the product for a while and then twirl it 3-5 times to get a better conditioning effect. 3.Remove excess product by a contton pad. Note: the conditioner cannot be...
  • 【From LOUINSTIC】We are committed to providing high-quality nail brush cleaner. if you receive a leaking or damaged product, please feel free to send us a message and we will respond promptly to resolve the issue, Please enjoy your nail art with...
No. 9
Winsor & Newton Brush Cleaner & Restorer, 4.0-oz Bottle
  • Brush Cleaner and restorer safely and easily cleans both natural and synthetic brushes without damage to brush heads
  • It leaves no oily residue
  • Emits a low amount of Vapor and is non-toxic
  • Biodegradable, water-soluble, non-flammable and non-abrasive
  • Comes in 4-ounce bottle

Last update on 2026-08-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How to Choose the Best Brush & Pen Cleaners

Storage and Shelf Life

Check the product's recommended storage conditions and shelf life. Most liquid cleaners should be stored in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight to maintain their efficacy. Ensure the container is tightly sealed to prevent evaporation or contamination. A longer shelf life means you can stock up without worrying about the product expiring before you can use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use general household cleaners for my pens and brushes?
It's generally not recommended. Household cleaners can contain harsh chemicals that may damage the delicate materials of pens and brushes, leading to deterioration or discoloration. Specialized cleaners are formulated to be effective yet safe for art and writing tools.
How often should I clean my brushes?
The frequency of cleaning depends on usage. Ideally, clean brushes immediately after each use to prevent paint from drying and hardening in the bristles. For less frequent use, a thorough cleaning every few weeks can suffice, but immediate cleaning is always best for optimal tool care.
How do I clean a clogged fountain pen?
For minor clogs, flushing the pen with lukewarm water or a dedicated pen cleaning solution is often effective. For stubborn clogs, you might need to soak the nib and feed in a cleaning solution for a few hours or overnight before flushing again.
Are alcohol-based cleaners safe for all pen types?
Alcohol-based cleaners are effective for many ink types, particularly permanent markers and some fountain pen inks. However, they can be harsh on certain plastics and rubber seals found in some pens. Always test on an inconspicuous area or consult the pen manufacturer's recommendations.
What is the difference between a brush cleaner and a pen cleaner?
Brush cleaners are typically designed to remove paint and mediums from bristles without causing damage. Pen cleaners are formulated to dissolve ink and prevent clogs within the pen's intricate parts, often using solvents that might be too strong for brush hairs.