Acrylic nail brushes are an essential tool, but they can get pretty messy. But fear not my lovelies! Today I will show you how to clean acrylic nail brushes, the right way.
It’s crucial to keep your brushes clean to ensure they last longer and perform their best.
With proper cleaning and care, a good quality kolinsky sable hair brush can last for up to 10 years!
In this guide, we’ll dive into the different methods for cleaning your acrylic nail brushes, so you can keep your tools in top shape.
Let’s get right into it.
Table of Contents
How to clean acrylic nail brushes
The best way to clean acrylic nail brushes depends on the type of brush you have.
For Kolinsky hair brushes, you should soak and clean them with monomer whenever possible, as acetone can dry them out and cause the brushes to fray.
Synthetic brushes clean up well with monomer, acetone, or specialized brush cleaners.
Regardless of the type of brush, it’s important to clean them regularly to maintain their shape and performance.
Clogged, frayed or dried-out brushes are impossible to work with.
How to clean acrylic nail brushes with monomer
The safest, gentlest, and overall best way to clean your acrylic nail brush is to use monomer.
You can buy a cheap monomer that is specifically for cleaning and save your favorite monomer for sculpting.
Monomer works to break down the acrylic and soften it so that it’s easier to wipe away.
All you need is a container, your monomer, and a clean paper towel.
Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Fill a small container with monomer and place your brush in it.
Make sure that the brush is at an angle to avoid any misshaping.
- Let the brush soak for 5-10 minutes.
This should be enough time to clean the brush if you do it straight after a fresh application.
If you forget to clean your brush right away, you can soak it for up to an hour.
- Use a clean, dry paper towel or cloth to gently rub the bristles and remove any excess acrylic.
Pro tip! Don’t use paper towels with colors or patterns on them. They can transfer onto your brush!
- Place the brush back into the monomer until it’s saturated.
A quick dip will do the trick.
- Take the brush out of the liquid and dry it using a gentle twisting motion.
Twirling the brush in a circular motion while wiping it against the paper towel helps to reshape the brush while it dries.
- Leave to air dry
Make sure that you place the brush on the paper towel.
Lay it down flat until it’s fully dry.
How to clean acrylic nail brushes with acetone
Acetone is a quick and effective way to clean your acrylic nail brushes, and it’s super easy too!
This method works for both real and synthetic nail brushes.
But it is more suitable for cleaning synthetic brushes, as they are less likely to dry out and fray.
Most nail techs recommend not using acetone to clean your kolinsky hair brushes.
That’s because acetone is quite harsh and can cause the hairs of the brush to dry out, fray, and split.
When the ends of the brush split it affects the formation of the bead and the smoothness of the application.
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to getting your brushes looking like new in no time.
- Start by filling a container with acetone and placing your brush in it at an angle to prevent misshaping.
- Let the brush soak for 5-10 minutes or up to an hour if you didn’t clean it immediately after use.
- Gently rub the bristles with a clean, dry paper towel or cloth to remove any leftover acrylic.
Note: avoid using paper towels with colors or patterns, as they may transfer onto the brush.
- Give the brush a quick dip back into the monomer to saturate it.
- Take the brush out and dry it by gently twisting it while wiping it against a paper towel in a circular motion.
This helps reshape the brush as it dries.
- Finally, lay the brush flat on a paper towel to air dry.
That’s it!
Your brushes are now sparkling clean and ready for their next use.
Acetone is great for removing stubborn and dried acrylics, but use it sparingly.
If you are concerned about the brushes drying out too much, you can use a mixture of monomer and acetone in a one-to-one ratio to weaken the solution slightly.
Or just use mostly monomer and add in a few drops of acetone.
How to clean acrylic nail brushes without acetone
Acetone is a popular choice for cleaning acrylic nail brushes, but there are other options available for those who prefer to go acetone-free.
Two alternatives are monomer and specialized brush-cleaning liquids.
Let’s take a closer look at each.
Using monomer:
Cleaning your brushes with monomer is a great alternative to using acetone.
It’s gentle, doesn’t dry out your brushes, and it works like a charm!
Simply pour a little monomer into a dish, then pop your brush in it at an angle.
Soak the brush for around 5-10 minutes after you use it. Or longer if it’s been a while since you finished using it.
Next, gently pat and rub the bristles with a clean, dry paper towel or lint-free cloth to remove any leftover acrylic.
You can repeat the dipping and cleaning process as many times as you need.
Once you’re satisfied, give the brush a quick dip back into the monomer.
Next, take the brush out and dry and reshape it.
The best way to do this is by gently twisting it while wiping it against a paper towel.
Finally, lay the brush out flat on a paper towel to air dry.
Using a brush cleaning liquid:
There are many specialized brush-cleaning liquids on the market that are specifically designed for cleaning acrylic nail brushes.
These liquids are often more gentle on the brushes, making them a great option for those who prefer to avoid acetone.
When using a brush cleaning liquid, it’s important to follow the instructions on the product you choose to ensure that your brushes are properly cleaned and well-maintained.
How to get dried nail acrylic out of brushes
Dried acrylic can be a real pain when it comes to cleaning your brushes, but don’t worry, there’s a solution!
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get your brushes back to their former glory.
- Fill a small container with acetone or monomer.
- Place the brush in the liquid and let it soak for 2 hours.
- Use a clean, dry paper towel or cloth to gently loosen up rub the bristles and remove any excess acrylic.
- If the brush is still loaded with dried acrylic, you can use an orangewood stick, small dotting tool or a brush/comb to gently remove any remaining debris.
- Soak the brush again for another 2 hours.
- Dry and reshape the brush – Use a paper towel or cloth to shape the bristles and let the brush air dry.
And there you have it!
Your brushes are now free from dried acrylic and ready for their next use.
So, don’t let dried acrylic stand in the way of a good brush-cleaning session.
Get to work, and your brushes will be as good as new in no time!
FAQ’s
How to clean acrylic nail brushes quickly
To clean acrylic nail brushes quickly, use acetone or monomer to soak the brush and remove any excess acrylic, then dry on a paper towel and shape the bristles before letting the brush air dry.
Can I clean my acrylic nail brush with water?
No, water cannot be used to clean acrylic nail brushes.
Water can cause the bristles to swell and misshape, leading to a loss of performance.
It’s recommended to use acetone, monomer, or specialized brush cleaning liquids to clean acrylic nail brushes.
Water and soap are also bad ideas.
Can you use rubbing alcohol to clean acrylic nail brushes?
Acrylic nail brushes come in different materials, including natural fibers like Kolinsky and sable hair and synthetic fibers.
The type of brush you have plays a role in determining the best cleaning method.
For brushes made of natural fibers, it’s not recommended to use rubbing alcohol to clean them.
This is because repeated exposure to rubbing alcohol can cause the bristles to dry out and become brittle, leading to a loss of performance.
However, rubbing alcohol can be used to clean gel brushes.
Simply dip the brush in rubbing alcohol and wipe it on a paper towel while in use.
This is a quick and effective way to clean gel brushes and maintain their performance.
Amazon associate’s disclaimer
As an amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Phoebe Meadows Phoebe Meadowsis a self-proclaimed nail addict, always on the lookout for the latest trends and techniques. When she's not creating stunning nail designs, you can find her researching the latest nail care products or experimenting with new techniques. View all posts
