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What is a Lesser Toxic Product I Can Use to Clean My Brushes?

Consider Safflower Oil. Although, be careful with use because it can damage the paint structure by altering drying times. When using Safflower Oil, make sure to wipe off excess oil from your brush before dipping it into your paint.


When we travel to Italy as a class and painting outside (plein air), we sometimes encounter trouble flying with combustible fluids ( Gamasol Mineral Spirits). As a solution, we've had to visit local grocery stores and buy all the safflower oil on the shelves. One year, in Bellagio, Italy, UPS approved our shipment, packed it for us, but in Italy, they held it. Consequently, we purchased 12 gallons of Safflower Oil (from the local grocery store) for forty people to share.


A third option is water-soluble oil paints, but I have never been a fan.


I forgot to mention, at home in the studio we use GAMSOL Odorless Mineral Spirits as a mineral spirits solvent because it has a milder smell than Home Depot’s mineral spirits solvent.


If you choose the GAMSOL Odorless Mineral Spirits, save yourself some grief and buy a Honeywell HEPA filter. Home Depot sells a HEPA 99.8% air filtration unit, which we use in the art studio accommodating 20-30 people per class - 3 classes a day - with no smell. A doctor in my class endorse it as a safe environment. Ensure to purchase a unit that is large enough; my prices might be outdated at $240-290.



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