Is there anything I can use to clean my oil brushes except for turpentine or turpenoid?

Question

I sleep where I paint so the safer the better,

Answer 1

diesel fuel.

Answer 2

I use regular dishwashing liquid.  ( The ones that fight grease such as Dawn are best).  Then I follow with a little brush conditioner.

Answer 3

in most art supply stores there are these jars (i'd tell you the name they are called but mine are worn off after 5 years of jumble) that are these about 5in tall, glass, and have metal spring looking objects inside of them.

when i use oil paint i use two of these jars. in the first one i use Gamsol (a paint thinner found in art stores usually, also at Menards i believe) and in the second just regular baby oil. while painting if i need to clean my brush for a temporary purpose of changing colors or something you would use the gamsol jar to remove the extra pigment (after removing any large clumps via palette and/or rag).

when completely done with the brush for more than about 30mins or so, clean the brush in the gamsol first and then in the baby oil. get as much of the paint off as you can in the gamsol first, with the baby oil as a secondary cleaner. this will leave your brushes paint free & mediums free and ready to go for the next use.

your jars will eventually gunk up with the oils and pigments.i had to change mine atleast every 2 or 3 months when i painted daily in school. i'm sure they would go longer without need of change if that were not the case.  basically its time to change them when by the time they are done in the baby oil they arent coming out clean.

just saw the "i sleep where i paint so the safer the better" part. these jars have lids on them so you can keep 'em closed up when not cleaning your brushes.

Answer 4

you can use oil....

Answer 5

Baby oil followed by Ivory soap until the soap stays white when the brush is scrubbed on it.  OR... switch to Grumbacher's Max or another water soluble oil paint and just clean with soap and water. That's what I do.

Answer 6

You're not going to believe this, but the best thing I've found is waterless hand cleaner.  The stuff mechanics use to get the grease off their hands.  But get the smooth variety, not the one with pumice in it.  The pumice will wear out your brushes.  I put some in my palm and work the brush into it, then rinse with water.  The hand cleaner emulsifies the paint and makes it water soluble.  It works like a charm.  All of my students use the stuff now.  It will also take the oil paint out of your clothes.  Rub it into the paint, let it set for twenty minutes and throw them into the washing machine.  Zip, Zop, clean as a whistle.  I like the one made with orange oil.

Answer 7

I use cheap lightweight motor oil, but that must be washed out before using the brushes again.  Vegetable or baby oil will also work. Simple dish soap and water will take out wet oil paint.