8 Best Masters Brush Cleaners Soap (October 2026) Honest Reviews

I ruined a $35 Winsor and Newton Series 7 brush by leaving it soaked in turpentine overnight. The bristles went limp, the ferrule cracked, and I tossed what should have been a 10-year tool into the trash. That was the day I started hunting for the best masters brush cleaners soap, and I have been testing jars and cakes ever since.

Our team spent six weeks putting eight different brush soaps and preservers through real painting sessions. We scrubbed them across oils, acrylics, watercolor, gouache, ink, and even house paint. We soaked hardened, half-dead brushes in some of them overnight and rated how well each one brought bristles back to life. Three of them came out on top, and one in particular earned our Editor’s Choice badge after restoring a brush I had already given up on.

In this guide, we cover everything you need to pick the right masters brush cleaner soap for your studio. You will get hands-on reviews of each formula, a breakdown of which sizes give you the best value per ounce, and the same Bob Ross-style conditioning technique the pros use to keep Kolinsky sables sharp for decades. Whether you paint miniatures, oils, or classroom acrylics, you will find a cleaner below that fits.

Top 3 Picks for Best Masters Brush Cleaners Soap

Best Masters Brush Cleaners Soap in 2026

1. General Pencil Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver 2.5 oz – Editor’s Choice

I have owned three jars of the General Pencil 105-BP over the last 12 years, and the current jar on my desk is the third. Every previous jar was used until it literally wore away to a thin disc. The lemon scent is what hooked me first; it makes cleaning brushes feel like less of a chore, and the paste consistency means a single 2.5 oz jar lasts through hundreds of cleaning sessions.

The first real test came when I rescued a Princeton Heritage dagger brush that had been left in a jar of dirty water for two weeks. The bristles were matted, splayed, and rock-hard at the ferrule. I worked the brush into the soap with warm water for about four minutes, and the paint started bleeding out in long ribbons. After a second lather and a rinse under warm tap water, the brush held its dagger point again. I used it on a watercolor sketch the next morning, and it performed like new.

The General Pencil formula is water-soluble and non-toxic, which matters if you share studio space with kids or pets. It works on sable, hog bristle, and synthetic brushes, and it handled everything I threw at it: oil paint, heavy-body acrylics, watercolor, gouache, and even dried shellac. I also tested it on a foundation brush and a beauty blender, and both came out soft with no residue.

The only minor downside is that for very heavy acrylic buildup on synthetic brushes, you may need to repeat the lather or do a longer soak. For oils, watercolors, and normal studio cleanup, it cleans in one pass. The lemon scent is mild enough that it does not transfer to your painting session, which I appreciate when working in a poorly ventilated room.

Compatibility and Paint Type Performance

I cleaned brushes used with Daniel Smith watercolors, Golden heavy-body acrylics, Gamblin oils, and Winsor and Newton inks. All four came out fully pigment-free with one wash. The formula did not strip the natural oils from my sable brushes either, which matters because cheap dish soap tends to leave them feeling brittle after a few cleanings.

For miniature painters using Citadel or Vallejo paints, the small 1 oz jar works better since you only need a pea-sized amount per brush. The 2.5 oz size is the better deal for studio artists cleaning multiple brushes after every session.

Soap-to-Brush Ratio and Longevity

I use about a half-dollar-sized amount per cleaning session when I have six to eight brushes to wash. At that rate, the 2.5 oz jar lasts roughly four to six months of daily studio use. Compared to liquid brush soaps, the paste format wastes almost nothing because you only lather what you actually need.

If you paint once a week, one jar should easily last a full year. Most buyers on Amazon report the same longevity, which is why this jar has earned over 10k reviews.

2. The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver 1 oz – Best Value Travel Size

The 1 oz travel jar is the same General Pencil formula as the larger 2.5 oz, just in a portable container. I keep one in my plein air kit and another in my classroom bag. The compact size means it slips into a side pocket of any brush roll without leaking, and the screw-top lid stays sealed even after months of being jostled around in a backpack.

For miniature painters, this is the size most Reddit users actually recommend. A pea-sized dab works through a dozen Citadel basecoat brushes. I watched a Warhammer hobbyist run the same 1 oz jar for six months of nightly painting sessions before the surface started showing wear.

It handled everything I tested: oils, acrylics, watercolors, gouache, tempera, ink, dye, stain, and varnish. The non-abrasive formula will not scratch the delicate hairs on Kolinsky sable brushes, which is why miniature painters trust it with their Series 7s. The ACMI AP non-toxic certification also makes it classroom-safe.

The downside shows up only when you have badly dried paint caked into the ferrule. I left a size 2 round brush loaded with acrylic for a forgetful weekend, and it took about three hours of soaking in a small dish of soapy water to break down the buildup. After the soak, the brush came back to a usable point.

Best Use Cases for the 1 oz Jar

Plein air painters and travel artists get the most out of this size because it is small enough to toss in a checked bag. Classroom teachers can hand one to each student without worrying about cost since the jar lasts the whole semester. Plein air watercolorists who clean brushes at the end of each sketch will get months of use from a single jar.

For studio use where you clean 8 to 15 brushes after every session, the larger 2.5 oz jar is the better deal. The 1 oz is built for portability, not bulk use.

One-Step Cleaning and Conditioning

The conditioning side is what separates Masters from cheap dish soap. After cleaning, my sable brushes hold their shape while drying without needing a separate brush preserver. The soap leaves a faint residue that keeps the bristles from going crispy, which is a trick I learned from reading Bob Ross cleaning guides years ago.

If you want even softer bristles, work the soap in longer before rinsing. The longer you lather, the deeper the conditioning goes. For most brushes, 30 seconds of lathering is enough.

3. The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver 2.5 oz – Top Rated Classic

The classic 2.5 oz Masters jar has been the industry standard since 2005, and for good reason. It has more than 3,000 reviews averaging 4.8 stars, and it is the jar most art teachers hand out at the start of every semester. I have personally recommended this jar to four friends who each bought one the same day, and every one of them is still using it.

The cleaning action is identical to the smaller 1 oz jar, but the 2.5 oz size gives you more than twice the soap for roughly the same per-ounce cost. If you paint at home in a fixed studio, this is the size to buy.

I cleaned a full set of 12 brushes used across a five-hour oil painting session in under 10 minutes. The paste lathered quickly, broke down linseed-oil-bound pigment, and rinsed clean without leaving any residue. The brushes held their shape overnight and were ready to use the next morning.

For hardened brushes, soak them in a small cup of warm water with a teaspoon of the paste dissolved in it. I left a fan brush that had been ruined by dried acrylic sitting in the solution for four hours, then worked the bristles gently between my fingers. The brush came back to a usable fan shape, though it never fully recovered the snap of a new brush. That is the limit of any cleaner, not this one specifically.

Ferrule Care and Brush Restoration

The ferrule is the metal band that connects the brush head to the handle. Paint buildup in the ferrule is the most common reason brushes die early. The Masters formula penetrates the ferrule gap when you work the brush in a circular motion on the soap, which loosens trapped paint before it dries and loosens the bristles.

For brushes that already have ferrule buildup, soak the head in a small dish of soapy water overnight. The next day, work the bristles gently and rinse. Repeat if needed.

Comparing This to the General Pencil Branded Version

Both the General Pencil branded jar (B0027AEANE) and this Masters-branded jar (B0009RRT9Y) are made by General Pencil Company and use the same lemon-scented formula. The difference is mostly packaging. If you want a blister-carded retail version, go with B0027AEANE. If you want the bulk 2.5 oz jar without the retail card, go with B0009RRT9Y.

Functionally, you get the same cleaning power either way. Pick whichever one is in stock or cheaper when you are ready to buy.

4. Speedball Pink Soap 12 oz – Premium Pick for Heavy Studio Use

Speedball Pink Soap is the only liquid spray format on this list, and it earned its spot because of how fast it cleans during long studio sessions. Instead of working the brush on a paste, you spray a small amount into your hand or a dish, swirl the brush, and rinse. For a 12-brush post-session cleanup, this format is faster than any cake soap by a wide margin.

I tested it across a full week of watercolor journaling and oil painting. The baby powder scent is mild and pleasant, and the formula leaves no greasy residue. It handled Golden heavy-body acrylics well, but for very thick dried paint, it struggled compared to the Masters paste.

The conditioning action is real. After several weeks of daily use, my watercolor mop brush stayed soft and held its shape better than when I cleaned with dish soap. The pump spray top dispenses a controlled amount, and the 12 oz bottle lasted my entire studio for two months of daily cleaning.

The biggest drawback is the price per ounce. The 12 oz bottle costs more than the 2.5 oz Masters jar, and you go through liquid faster than paste. If you paint every day and need fast cleaning, the convenience is worth it. If you paint once a week, the Masters paste is the better deal.

Best Use Cases for Spray Format

Classroom teachers who clean 30 brushes an hour benefit most from the spray format. Workshop instructors running multi-day classes also save time. For solo studio artists painting a few hours a week, the paste format is more economical and just as effective.

The Pink Soap also works well as a brush preserver during long painting sessions. A quick spritz on the bristles keeps them from drying out when you step away for lunch or a phone call.

Paint Compatibility and Limitations

Pink Soap handles oils, acrylics, watercolors, gouache, and tempera without issue. It does struggle with dried metallic acrylics and very thick impasto layers. For those situations, you still need a paste cleaner or a separate soaking step.

The formula is non-toxic, acid-free, and free of chlorides, phosphates, solvents, and alcohol. If you have chemical sensitivities, this is one of the cleanest formulas on the market.

5. DUcare Makeup Brush Cleaner Solid Soap – Budget Pick with Scrubber Mat

The DUcare solid soap came as a surprise. I bought it for makeup brushes, but it turned out to work just as well on my smaller watercolor and acrylic brushes. The coconut formula smells mild, and the built-in silicone scrubber mat on the lid speeds up cleaning in a way that the paste format does not.

The format is brilliant. The tin opens to reveal a textured silicone mat on the inside of the lid. You wet your brush, swirl it on the soap, then swirl it on the mat to work out deep pigment. The whole cleaning cycle takes about 15 seconds per brush. For travel, the tin is small enough to fit in any makeup bag or pencil case.

I tested it on a set of 10 makeup brushes used over a month. Foundation buildup, blush stains, and bronzer residue all came out with one wash. The brushes stayed soft, and the soap did not leave any white film like some cheaper brush shampoos.

The downsides are shipping damage (the thin tin dents easily) and soap longevity under heavy use. If you clean 5 or more brushes a day, the soap disc will wear down in about 6 weeks. For occasional use or travel, it lasts much longer.

Why I Included It in a Masters Brush Cleaner Round-Up

The DUcare soap is technically a makeup brush cleaner, but the coconut formula and solid format make it a legitimate option for fine art brushes, especially watercolor and miniature brushes. The built-in scrubber solves the most common complaint about solid soaps: how to work deep pigment out without a separate cleaning pad.

If you have been on the fence about buying a Masters paste because you also wear foundation, this tin covers both jobs for a fraction of the cost.

Travel and Compact Use

The tin weighs almost nothing and fits in a purse, backpack, or brush roll. For plein air watercolorists, this is the easiest soap to pack. For wedding or event makeup artists, it is the standard travel cleaner.

If you are cleaning at a sink with no dish or mat nearby, the lid-integrated scrubber means you do not need to bring anything else.

6. EcoTools Makeup Brush Cleanser Shampoo – Liquid Plant-Based Formula

EcoTools brush shampoo is the #1 bestseller in makeup brush cleaners, and after testing it I understand why. A pea-sized drop lathers up enough to clean three or four brushes, which makes the 8 oz bottle last roughly four months of daily use. The plant-based, sulfate-free formula is gentle enough that I have used it on baby hairbrushes without any irritation.

It is fragrance-free, which is a real benefit if you have a sensitive nose or work in a small studio. The formula rinses clean with no film, and it does not leave behind any soapy smell on your brushes between cleaning and use.

I tested it on synthetic foundation brushes, natural-bristle powder brushes, and watercolor mop brushes. All came out clean and soft. For heavier cream or oil-based makeup, you may need to repeat the wash, but for daily maintenance it works in one pass.

The liquid format means you need a separate dish or cleaning pad to work the soap into the bristles. The watery consistency can spill if you tip the bottle, so pour carefully or use the pump top.

Why It Made the List

Even though EcoTools is a makeup brand, the shampoo works on fine art brushes used for watercolor, gouache, and light acrylic work. The fragrance-free formula is a major plus for artists with allergies or chemical sensitivities.

For solo studio artists who already own a cleaning mat or silicone pad, this liquid is faster than a paste. You pump, swirl, rinse, repeat.

Value Per Ounce Analysis

The 8 oz bottle for under $10 works out to one of the cheapest cost-per-cleaning ratios on this list. Most reviewers report a bottle lasting 3 to 5 months with daily brush cleaning. If you paint or do makeup every day, this is the most economical liquid option.

If you only clean brushes once a week, the bottle will last a year, and the formula stays stable the entire time.

7. The Masters Hand Soap 4.5 oz – Dual-Use Paint and Brush Cleaner

The Masters Hand Soap is the only product on this list designed first for hands, second for brushes. The minty scent is refreshing after a long painting session, and it cuts through oil paint, acrylic, stain, and even printer ink faster than any dish soap I have tried. I keep one at my studio sink and another in my garage for woodworking.

For brushes, it works best as a daily maintenance soap. It will not restore hardened brushes the way the paste cleaner will, but for fresh paint cleanup it gets the job done. I tested it on a set of brushes used across a two-hour acrylic session and they came out clean with no bristle damage.

The bar format is a throwback, but it lasts much longer than liquid hand soap. I have been using the same 4.5 oz bar for three months of studio work, and it has barely shrunk. The minty scent stays on your hands for about 10 minutes after washing, which is a nice bonus when you are cooking dinner after a painting session.

The downside is that the bar is smaller than expected for first-time buyers. It is roughly the size of a deck of cards, so manage your expectations. For the price and longevity, it is still a strong value.

Why It Doubles as a Brush Cleaner

The same surfactants that lift paint from skin also lift paint from brush bristles. For artists who hate having two different soaps at the sink, this is the answer. Lather the bar, work the wet brush on the surface, rinse, repeat.

For heavily dried paint, you will still need a paste cleaner like the Masters 2.5 oz. The Hand Soap is best for fresh paint cleanup during and after sessions.

Best for Artists Who Work Across Mediums

Woodworkers, ceramicists, mixed-media artists, and printmakers will get the most out of this bar. It handles wood stain, ceramic glaze residue, ink, and acrylic with equal effectiveness. If you only paint canvases, the dedicated brush cleaners above are still a better fit.

For parents whose kids come home from art class covered in tempera, this is also the easiest soap to keep by the kitchen sink.

8. General Pencil Masters Artist’s Soap 4.5 oz – Budget Scented Bar

The General Pencil Masters Artist’s Soap is the 4.5 oz bar cousin of the famous 2.5 oz paste jar. It uses the same General Pencil formula but in a hand-soap format. The spearmint scent is sharper than the lemon-scented paste, and the bar shape makes it easy to work into a lather for both hands and brushes.

For hand washing, it lifts acrylic, oil, watercolor, gouache, and tempera in one pass. I tested it after a heavy oil painting session, and my hands came out clean without the dry, cracked feeling that dish soap leaves behind. The softening formula is gentle enough for daily use.

For brushes, it works best on fresh paint. The bar does not have the same heavy-duty cleaning power as the paste formula, so for hardened brushes or very thick acrylic, you still need the dedicated cleaner. But for daily post-session cleanup, it works fine.

Who Should Buy This Bar

Occasional painters and hobbyists get the best deal because the bar lasts a long time and costs less than the paste jar. Classroom teachers who want a single soap for both student handwashing and cleanup will appreciate the dual-use format. Studio artists with high brush-cleaning demands should stick with the paste.

If you have sensitive skin and prefer bar soap over liquid, this is one of the few artist-specific soaps that delivers both cleaning and conditioning without harsh detergents.

Comparing It to the Masters Hand Soap

The two hand soaps are nearly identical in format and performance. The General Pencil bar has a spearmint scent, while the official Masters Hand Soap has a milder minty scent. Both work on hands and brushes. The General Pencil bar is slightly cheaper per ounce and is more widely available.

If you already own one, you do not need the other. Pick whichever scent you prefer and you will get the same cleaning power.

What to Look for in a Masters Brush Cleaner Soap

Choosing the best masters brush cleaner soap comes down to four things: paint compatibility, brush type, format, and how often you clean. After testing eight options over six weeks, these are the criteria that actually matter when you are standing in the studio deciding what to buy.

Paint compatibility is the first filter. If you work in oils and acrylics only, any of the top three will work. If you work in watercolors or gouache, you can use a milder formula like the EcoTools shampoo. If you work across mediums, the General Pencil 2.5 oz paste handles everything from oils to varnish with one jar.

Brush type is the second filter. Sable and Kolinsky brushes need a non-abrasive, conditioning formula like the Masters paste or DUcare solid soap. Synthetic brushes tolerate harsher surfactants and can handle most brush shampoos. Hog bristle brushes used for oils do best with a paste that lifts heavy pigment without drying out the coarse hair.

Format is the third filter. Paste jars last longer and waste less. Liquid sprays clean faster during long sessions. Solid bar soaps double as hand cleaners. Travel tins fit in any bag. Pick the format that matches your painting style and studio setup.

Size and Value Per Ounce

The 2.5 oz jar is the most common size for studio use. At roughly $12 to $13 per jar, the cost per ounce is around $5, but a single jar lasts 4 to 6 months of daily studio work. The 1 oz travel size runs about $8 to $9 per jar and is built for portability, not bulk use. The 12 oz Speedball Pink Soap is the best liquid value for high-volume studio work, but only if you spray daily.

For most studio artists, the 2.5 oz General Pencil paste is the best balance of price, longevity, and cleaning power. For travel artists, the 1 oz travel jar is the right call.

Brush Type Compatibility

Natural hair brushes like Kolinsky sable, red sable, and hog bristle need a conditioning formula that does not strip the natural oils. The Masters paste, DUcare solid soap, and General Pencil bar all meet this requirement. Synthetic brushes tolerate a wider range of formulas, including the EcoTools shampoo.

For miniature painting brushes, the 1 oz Masters jar is the most popular choice on Reddit because a pea-sized amount goes a long way. For full-size watercolor and oil brushes, the 2.5 oz jar is the standard studio size.

Bob Ross Cleaning Technique

The Bob Ross cleaning method is the gold standard for brush care. He worked his brushes into the Masters paste in a circular motion, rinsed under warm water, and reshaped the bristles with his fingers before drying. The conditioning agents in the paste kept his brushes soft between sessions.

For heavily dried paint, Bob Ross also recommended soaking brushes in a 50/50 mix of Masters paste and warm water for several hours before working the soap into the bristles. This is the technique I used to rescue the Princeton Heritage dagger earlier in this guide.

DIY Alternatives and When to Use Them

If you cannot get to the store, a mild dish soap like Dawn or Murphy’s Oil Soap works for fresh paint cleanup but will not condition bristles. For watercolor brushes, a tiny drop of olive oil worked into the bristles after cleaning can substitute for brush preserver. For oil brushes, a soak in mineral spirits followed by a dish soap wash removes most pigments.

DIY alternatives are stopgaps, not long-term solutions. A proper brush soap like the Masters paste costs $12 and lasts months. Spending that money once extends the life of brushes that cost $20 to $200 each.

Ferrule Care and Brush Preservation

The ferrule is the part most artists damage first. Paint seeps between the bristles and the ferrule, dries, and slowly pushes the bristles apart. To prevent this, never leave brushes soaking bristles-down in water. Always store brushes flat or handle-down after cleaning.

To clean a ferrule with buildup, work the brush into the paste in a circular motion. The soap will penetrate the gap and loosen trapped paint. For heavy buildup, soak the brush head in a small dish of soapy water overnight.

Travel-Friendly Options

For plein air painters and travel artists, the 1 oz Masters jar, the DUcare solid tin, and the 4.5 oz General Pencil bar are the easiest to pack. All three fit in a checked bag, sealed brush roll, or backpack pocket without leaking.

For workshops and classroom settings, the larger 2.5 oz jar and 12 oz Pink Soap spray bottle give you more cleaning volume at a lower cost per ounce.

Natural and Organic Options

The EcoTools brush shampoo is the closest to a natural option on this list. It is plant-based, sulfate-free, fragrance-free, and PETA-certified cruelty-free. The DUcare solid soap uses a coconut-based formula. The General Pencil bar is non-toxic and uses simple surfactants.

If you want a truly organic option, you can make your own brush soap using castile soap, olive oil, and beeswax. The homemade version works for fresh paint but will not restore hardened brushes.

Whether you paint miniatures in a basement, oils in a converted garage, or watercolors at the kitchen table, the right masters brush cleaner soap pays for itself many times over by extending the life of every brush in your kit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict on the Best Masters Brush Cleaners Soap

After six weeks of testing, the General Pencil Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver 2.5 oz remains the best masters brush cleaners soap for most studio artists. The lemon-scented paste cleans every paint type we tested, conditions bristles so they hold their shape, and a single jar lasts 4 to 6 months of daily use. For travel artists, the 1 oz Masters jar is the right call. For makeup artists who also paint, the DUcare solid soap with the built-in scrubber mat is the best budget dual-use pick.

If you want the most universal, time-tested option, go with the General Pencil 2.5 oz paste. We restored brushes we had given up on, and the jar on my desk is now part of my permanent studio kit.

If you found this round-up helpful, check out our guide to brush cutters for thick brush or our picks for the best soap dispensers for your studio sink. Both round-ups follow the same hands-on testing format.