How to Wash Your Brush

If you leave ink on a brush, it will harden and damage the bristles. So make sure to wash your brush with water after use. Unlike some other kinds of paint, no special chemicals or solvents are necessary.
Let me show you how to wash your brush in a way that will make it last longer.

Since ink contains ingredients that aren’t good for the environment, first thoroughly wipe off the ink using scrap paper. Then rinse with water.

Why Brush Bristles Split — and How to Prevent It

When you’ve been using a brush for a long time, the bristles often splits in two at the base. This happens naturally with age, but it can also happen if you have ink building up at the base due to inadequate washing. So it’s important to wash your brush all the way down to the base after using it.

Ink tends to accumulate at the base of the bristles, so let’s work it out from there. Hold the middle part of the brush bristles with one hand and the base of the brush handle with the other. Then move both hands gently in opposite directions—this pushes the ink out while rinsing it away.

Remember, calligraphy ink is permanent. When you wash your brush, it can stain the sink too, so avoid white surfaces like porcelain. A stainless steel kitchen sink should be easier to clean. Either way, make sure to clean up the sink when you’re done.

Once you’ve finished rinsing, shape the bristles into a point and hang the brush to dry in a well-ventilated, shaded area.

Only wash after you’re completely finished writing. If you want to take a break during your calligraphy session and continue later, I recommend wrapping the brush tip in plastic wrap.

They do sell covers for brushes, but when it comes to preventing the bristles from drying out, plastic wrap works best. That way, you can resume your work with the brush in the same condition.