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Curious about watercolor brush cleaning methods that are easier on the environment
Honestly, I've been washing my brushes with tap water and standard soap, but it feels like I'm wasting a lot of water and using harsh chemicals. Tbh, I'm wondering if there are techniques for recycling rinse water or using biodegradable cleaners that still keep brushes in good shape. Specifically, how do you handle pigment runoff to avoid contaminating drains? Ngl, any insights from fellow painters would be really appreciated.
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caleb_gonzalez12d ago
Share your concern. Reuse rinse water.
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joseph49112d ago
After switching to a two-jar system for rinsing, I cut my water use by half last month. Kelly's coffee tip might remove some pigment, but doesn't that just trade chemical runoff for organic stains in your brushes? For pigments, I settle the sludge in a bucket and reuse the clear water, which feels less wasteful. Have you considered plain castile soap for a biodegradable clean? It breaks down without harsh surfactants that harm aquatic life.
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