How to make a DIY brush holder after cleaning

Last updated: October 27, 2026 8:00:00 AM

Clean your brushes thoroughly to prepare them for this easy craft project. Turn empty containers into organized holders to keep your workspace tidy.

To make a DIY brush holder after cleaning, you need to gather clean containers, measure your wet or damp tools, and assemble a structure that holds them upside down or upright to dry safely. By building a custom storage container following your cleaning routine, you protect the delicate bristles of your paintbrushes, makeup tools, or artist brushes while keeping your workspace organized.

Cleaning your brushes is only half the battle. Once you wash away dried pigment, dust, or product residue, the real challenge begins: drying and storing them without ruining their shape. Storing them improperly while wet can cause the wooden handles to swell, the glue at the ferrule to dissolve, and the bristles to bend permanently out of shape. Creating your own holder at home is a practical, straightforward project that solves this storage dilemma using items you likely already have around the house.

Clear Your Workspace and Gather Supplies

Before you even touch your clean brushes, you need to set up a clean, open surface to work on. Wash your hands and wipe down the table or counter to ensure no lingering dust or debris gets onto your freshly washed tools.

Look around your home for items that can serve as the structural base of your holder. Sturdy containers such as clean tin cans, glass jars, plastic tubs, or even small cardboard boxes work exceptionally well. You will also need a filler medium to keep the brushes standing upright or a hanging mechanism if you prefer gravity-assisted drying. Common household fillers include dried beans, rice, lentils, unpolished glass marbles, sand, or even clean packing foam. If you decide to go the hanging route, you will need string, rubber bands, or wooden dowels paired with a sturdy frame or box.

Gather a pair of sharp scissors or a utility knife, some tape or glue if you are modifying a cardboard structure, and a clean towel to catch any stray dr See reviews, map, get the address, and find directions. ips. Having all these items within arm's reach ensures the assembly process goes smoothly and prevents you from scrambling for supplies with wet brushes in your hand.

Prepare the Base Container

If you are using a container that previously held food, chemicals, or other household goods, wash it thoroughly with warm water and soap, then dry it completely. Residual moisture inside the container can create a breeding ground for mold, which defeats the entire purpose of cleaning your brushes in the first place.

Consider the height and width of your cho Best Buy Store Locator: Store Hours, Directions & Events sen container in relation to the brushes you just cleaned. A container that is too wide will cause brushes to splay out at awkward angles, while one that is too shallow might tip over easily under the weight of heavier handles. If you are using a metal tin with a sharp inner rim, line the edge with a strip of tape to prevent it from scratching the handles of your tools over time.

For those using a solid container like a jar or can, you can now add your chosen filler. Pour your dried beans, rice, or glass beads into the container until it is roughly two-thirds full. Shake the container gently to settle the filler evenly. This dense bed of small objects will act as a cushion that grips the brush handles at whatever depth you choose, keeping them stable and separated so air can circulate freely around them.

Assemble the Hanging or Standing Structure

If you prefer a holder that keeps the brushes suspended upside down—which is the absolute best way to dry them because it prevents water from seeping into the wooden handle—you will need a sli Microsoft Office Locations | About Microsoft ghtly different setup.

Take a shoebox or a small open-topped cardboard box and lay it on its side, or use a shallow tray. Across the top opening, stretch heavy-duty rubber bands, Shop Best Buy for electronics, computers, appliances, cell phones, video games & more new tech. Store pickup & free 2-day …Read more stri Oct 25, 2026 · Synoshi Pro | Synoshi Pro ng, or thin wooden dowels, securing them tightly to the sides of the box. You want to create a grid or a series of parallel lines.

Alternatively, if you are sticking with the upright filler method, test the density of your filler by poking a few brush handles Best Buy | Official Online Store | Shop Now & Save Shop Best Buy for electronics, computers, appliances, cell phones, video games & more new tech. Store pickup … into the beans or rice. T Oct 25, 2026 · Best - definition of best by The Free Dictionary 1. In a most excellent way; most creditably or advantageously. 2. To the greatest degree or extent; most: "He … hey should slide in easily and remain upright without leaning precariously. If the filler is too loose, add more material. If it is too dense and forces the bristles to bend against the surface, remo Oct 27, 2026 · Microsoft Office Locations | About Microsoft Learn about Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, WA and our offices, locations, and experience centers across the … ve some of the filler until you achieve the right balance of support and looseness.

Arrange and Secure Your Clean BEST | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary best adjective, adverb (HIGHEST QUALITY) of the highest quality, to the greatest degree, in the most effective … Brushes

Now that your homemade holder is ready, it is time to place your clean tools inside. Handle each brush gently by the handle, ensuring the damp bristles remain untouched and unbent.

If you are using the upright filler holder, insert each brush handle-first down into the beans, rice, or beads. Space them out evenly across the container rather than bunching them all in the middle. Leave enough breathing room between individual brushes so that air can flow around the damp bristles, accelerating the drying process and preventing mildew. Ensure that the bristles are not pressed hard against the bottom or sides of the container, as this can bend the hairs out of shape while they dry.

If you are using the suspended drying rack, slide the handle of each brush through your rubber band grid or string array from underneath, letting the ferrule rest securely against the support lines so the brush hangs vertically with the bristles pointing toward the floor. This method ensures that any remaining moisture drips safely away from the glue joint rather than pooling inside the metal ferrule.

Test Stability and Finalize Placement

Give your completed DIY brush holder a gentle nudge to test its overall stability. It should feel balanced and secure, with no risk of tipping over even if a heavier tool is placed slightly off-center.

Place the holder in a well-ventilated area away from direct, harsh sunlight and excessive heat sources, which can warp wooden handles and melt the adhesive holding the bristles in place. A dry, room-temperature spot with good air circulation is ideal.

Once the brushes are completely dry, you can leave them in your new custom holder for daily storage, or use the holder as a permanent station on your desk, vanity, or studio table. Periodically empty out any organic fillers like beans or rice to check for dust or accumulated moisture, ensuring your homemade storage solution remains clean and safe for your tools over the long term.