Here are a couple of sites that can explain the "Why's & How-to's":
Turpentine is only used to break down the paint on the
brush prior to washing with a suitable soap such as an ecological dishwashing
liquid.
* http://www.greenspec.co.uk/productpdf/volvoxturps1.pdf* http://painting.about.com/cs/paintingknowhow/ht/Howto_Brushcare.htm* http://emptyeasel.com/2007/01/26/how-to-clean-your-paint-brushes-after-oil-painting/
A painter may use turpentine to remove paint because it is a solvent that can break down and dissolve dried paint, making it easier to remove from surfaces or brushes. Turpentine can help clean up mistakes, spills, or excess paint during the painting process.
The painting medium that uses turpentine as a solvent is oil paint. Turpentine helps to dilute the oil paint for easier application and cleanup. Additionally, artists often use various chemicals, such as mineral spirits or paint thinner, to further thin the paint and clean brushes. This medium is known for its rich colors and versatility in blending.
You can use mineral spirits or citrus-based solvents as alternatives to turpentine for cleaning brushes, thinning paint, or dissolving glazes. These alternatives are less toxic and have a milder odor compared to turpentine.
Mineral spirits or turpentine (oid). Use the first. You can get an odorless product. This suggestion is for your brushes.
To effectively clean acrylic paint from brushes, rinse the brushes in warm, soapy water immediately after use. Use a brush cleaner or mild soap to remove any remaining paint. Gently reshape the bristles and allow the brushes to air dry.
Turpentine is a natural product used in combination with oils to thin oil paints and "straight up" to clean brushes etc. Paint thinner is not generally as clean a product and I would only use it as a cleaner however I know some people that do use it for thinning paint (commercial oil base house paint) but not for fine art applications.
Early on, straight water was used. Later, turpentine and specialty brush cleaners were developed.
To clean acrylic paint brushes effectively, first rinse the brushes in warm water to remove excess paint. Then, use a gentle soap or brush cleaner to wash the bristles thoroughly. Gently reshape the bristles and let the brushes air dry. Repeat the process if necessary until the brushes are clean.
To effectively clean acrylic paint off brushes, rinse the brushes in warm, soapy water immediately after use. Use a brush cleaner or mild soap to remove any stubborn paint residue. Gently reshape the bristles and let the brushes air dry.
White vinegar is not an effective paint thinner. While it can help remove dried paint and clean brushes, it does not dilute paint in the same way traditional paint thinners or solvents do. For thinning paint, it's best to use products specifically designed for that purpose, such as mineral spirits or turpentine.
To clean acrylic paint brushes effectively, use warm soapy water and gently rub the bristles to remove paint residue. Rinse thoroughly and reshape the brush before allowing it to dry.
To effectively clean acrylic paint brushes, rinse them in warm, soapy water immediately after use. Gently massage the bristles to remove paint, then rinse thoroughly. For stubborn paint, use a brush cleaner or mild solvent. Finally, reshape the bristles and let the brushes air dry.