Why do brushes shed?
Paint brushes can shed for a few reasons. The metal ferrule on the top of the brush has a small strip of glue that holds the bristles in place. If paint is lodged in here, it can cause the bristles to fall out. Putting too much pressure on the brush can also cause a few loose hairs to fall out. New brushes can also lose bristles in the first few uses, but don’t stress this is normal! 

Taking care of paint brushes is important for maintaining the brush shape, it’s good for the environment too (hello to less wastage) and it’ll help you save money painting, and who doesn’t love that?!

Here's how to stop your brushes from shedding: 

When washing: 
1. Gently wash your new brushes with soap before using them to remove loose bristles. 
2. Clean your brushes immediately after using them, to prevent dry paint damaging the bristles.
3. Wash bristles gently so that you don’t loosen the bristles from the glue. Try to avoid saturating the metal ferrule as this can also loosen the glue. 

Drying:
Dry your brushes flat or upside down (bristles to the sky) to stop any water from damaging the glue in the ferrule. 

Pay attention to your paint brush storage: 
Store your dry brushes upright to maintain shape. Leaving brushes to sit face down (handles to the sky) can damage the bristles and your brush shape can change too!

Still shedding? Try this:
If your brush is still shedding, use pliers to squeeze the ferrule tightly to help keep bristles in place. 

Looking for more? Check out more of our handy how-to videos or if you’re looking for more money saving tips check out our tips for making your paint brushes last longer.