A pure natural-bristle brush can last for many years if it is looked after. The bristles do not tolerate drying solvents unless they are re-greased afterwards, so cleaning and storage matter more than with synthetic brushes.
Before first use
Let the whole brush soak in oil (cooking oil, rapeseed oil or similar) for a few days, then wash it out with soft soap.
Cleaning
After water-based paints and traditional paints such as egg tempera and distemper: wash the bristles thoroughly with soft soap and water.
After oil-based paints: use a cleaner that does not dry out the bristles, and always finish with a soft-soap wash. A properly cleaned brush smells only of soap or bristle.
Storage
During longer breaks: work soft soap into the bristles, shape them so they do not splay and let the brush dry like that. Wash the soap out thoroughly before using it again. You can also hang the brush in a container of oil until next season.
Note: rags and cloths soaked in linseed oil can self-ignite. Keep them in a sealed metal tin or in water, or burn them.
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