Foam Paint Brushes: A DIY Alternative
Home DIY and painting – we either love it or hate it. One of the most common complaints is cleaning all the materials afterwards: interior wall paints are fairly heavy-duty, so cleaning brushes isn't thrilling. Finding stray pieces of shredded brush on a freshly painted wall is another frustration.
Why use foam paint brushes?
Instead of traditional brushes made from nylon, polyester threads or natural bristles, foam is a fantastic alternative – whether you order foam tools specially or use leftover foam offcuts from another project. A frequent issue with fibre brushes is streaky paint, as the density of the fibres or bristles traps a lot of paint rather than transferring it to the wall, which is also what makes them hard to clean. By comparison, soft to medium-density polyurethane foam brushes absorb and distribute paint better, and reduce drippage. Unlike bristles that leave streaks, foam or "sponge" paint brushes are multi-purpose, suiting wood finishes on doors, floors and furniture, plus water-based stains, waxes, oils and dyes – though foam isn't recommended for solvent-based products.
What can you use them for?
Not sure foam brushes are for you? Other uses in place of traditional brushes include applying oils to parquet flooring, "cutting in" paint around kitchen hobs and sinks, touching up scratches on smooth walls, and applying floor sealant.
Customising your foam brush
A real perk is that your tool can be fully customised. Instead of a rectangular bristle brush, your foam could have a tapered head for better straight-edge application, making it ideal for intricate areas and corners. Or you could order something entirely different, such as a circular, marshmallow-shaped foam dabber attached to a stick for better handling – excellent for stamping and intricate patterns. Whatever shape you choose, our cut to size capabilities mean you can order a foam brush in any shape or size. For more on stamping, see our guide to foam crafting stamps.
Environmental benefits
Alongside the practical benefits, there are environmental ones. eFoam's polyurethane foams are washable and non-toxic, so they won't end up in landfill and are safe for many uses, including children's paint activities – which also makes them far more cost-effective for avid painters and crafters. Our guide to painting foam has more.
For help ordering foam for your paint brushes and tools, please contact one of our friendly advisers.
Frequently asked questions
Why use a foam paint brush?
Soft to medium-density polyurethane foam brushes absorb and distribute paint better than bristle brushes, with less drippage and no streaky marks or stray bristles. They suit wood finishes on doors, floors and furniture, and water-based stains, waxes, oils and dyes – though not solvent-based products.
Can foam paint brushes be customised?
Yes. Cut to size, a foam brush can have a tapered head for better straight-edge application and intricate corners, or be made as a circular, marshmallow-shaped dabber on a stick for stamping and patterns.
Are foam paint brushes eco-friendly?
eFoam's polyurethane foams are washable and non-toxic, so they're reusable rather than landfill-bound and safe for many uses, including children's paint activities. That also makes them cost-effective for avid painters and crafters.
