Old timer told me to quit soaking my brush heads in vinegar

I had been soaking my nylon brush heads in white vinegar overnight for years to break up creosote buildup. One retired sweep with 40 years experience watched me do it and said I was basically eating the bristles away from the inside out. He was right, I switched to a simple degreaser spray and rinsing right after use, and my brush heads last three times longer now. Anyone else get handed a tip that made them feel like an idiot?

3 comments

3 Comments

ruby_jones1mo ago

Did you ever find yourself staring at your brush afterwards and whispering "my precious" like you'd just been scammed by your own tool? I spent a whole YEAR soaking mine before someone gently pointed out I was basically marinating money down the drain.

simonp761mo ago

Used to think you were supposed to keep brushes wet overnight until a crusty old timer told me I was growing bacteria farms, not preserving bristles. He was right. Now they get a quick rinse and hang dry, no more soaking for days on end. Your year-long marinade story actually makes me feel better about the six months I wasted doing the same thing.

vera_robinson361mo ago

Quick degreaser and a stiff rinse beats anything that sits in liquid for hours.