Saving My Brushes (and My Wallet) with WD-40

As a frequent DIYer, staining projects are common around my place. But the worst part? Cleaning the brushes. No matter how diligent I am, inevitably some stain dries in the bristles, leaving them stiff, clumpy, and practically useless for a smooth finish. Buying new brushes for every project adds up fast, and it's incredibly wasteful.

I'd tried various brush cleaners, sometimes with limited success, but they often took a lot of soaking and scrubbing. Then, one day, I had a particularly stubborn brush, stiff as a board with dried stain. On a whim, I grabbed the can of WD-40. I figured it was worth a shot, even if it just softened things up a little.

I gave the brush a generous spray, focusing on the hardened bristles and working the nozzle down into the base. I let it sit for a few minutes, expecting maybe a slight loosening. To my surprise, the dried stain started to break down almost immediately! The stiff clumps began to soften, and the bristles started to separate.

I gently worked the brush with my fingers, and the WD-40 continued to dissolve the dried stain. It was actually quite remarkable to watch the hardened gunk break down and release its grip on the bristles. After a bit of massaging and another light spray in a few stubborn spots, the brush was almost completely clean and, more importantly, the bristles were soft and flexible again!

A quick rinse with soapy water to remove the WD-40 and any remaining residue, and the brush was as good as new. I've been using this trick ever since, and it's saved me a significant amount of money on replacement brushes. What used to be a frustrating and costly problem is now easily solved with a simple spray of WD-40. It's become an essential part of my staining toolkit, ensuring my brushes stay usable project after project.