---
title: Bristles Are Scarce, Brushes Are Precious (Ministry of Supply No. 114)
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-bristles-are-scarce-brushes-are-precious-1939/
description: A green sheet carries seven circular photographs of brushes with red paint-stroke captions on drying, cleaning and storing paint, glue.
section: Collection
---

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3. Bristles Are Scarce, Brushes Are Precious (Ministry of Supply No. 114)

[![Bristles Are Scarce, Brushes Are Precious, 1939 UK poster: A green sheet carries seven circular photographs of brushes](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-bristles-are-scarce-brushes-are-precious-1939.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-bristles-are-scarce-brushes-are-precious-1939.jpg)

# Bristles Are Scarce, Brushes Are Precious (Ministry of Supply No. 114)

A green sheet carries seven circular photographs of brushes with red paint-stroke captions on drying, cleaning and storing paint, glue, shaving and toothbrushes. The household tone (toothbrush, broom, gluepot) is the plain-folks tell; the scarcity claim in the headline is the stated reason for the ask.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Plain folks](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/plain-folks/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
BRISTLES Are Scarce
BRUSHES Are Precious

DRY IT: Never put a brush away damp. Keep it in a dry place where air circulates freely. Hang it or stand it on end - never leave it resting on the bristles.

CLEAN IT - DON'T LEAVE IT, IF YOU HAVE USED: PAINT. Remove paint with paraffin, wash thoroughly in cold water. OIL-BOUND DISTEMPER. Rinse in paraffin, wash in slightly soapy water. DISTEMPER. Wash in clean water.

EVEN FOR MEALTIMES: Don't leave a brush in colour overnight or even at mealtimes. Cleanse it in water ready for use when you come back.

GO CAREFULLY WITH RENOVATORS: Sometimes spoiled brushes can be saved by renovators. Use solution cold and be careful. This brush has been ruined by too strong a renovator solution.

MORE & BETTER SWEEPING: If you hang your broom to dry. If you stand it brush upwards when it's dry. HEAT OR BOILING WATER DESTROYS PITCH SET BROOMS.

MIND THAT GLUEPOT: Don't leave your glue brush in the pot. When your job is done, wash all glue out in water, and let it dry.

AND AT HOME: Dry your toothbrush when you've used it. A good brush will give you 30,000 rubs if you look after it. Press the soap & water out of your shaving brush, rinse it in cold water & dry the bristles. When you wash your hairbrush, don't wet the stock more than you can help, let it dry naturally - never dry it in front of the fire.

MINISTRY OF SUPPLY No 114.
PRINTED FOR H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE BY MULTI MACHINE PLATES LTD. LONDON E.C.4. S1-4394
```

[← Bones Help to Fire the Guns - Put Out More Bones and Save More Ships](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-bones-help-to-fire-the-guns-1939/) [The British Commonwealth of Nations - Together →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-british-commonwealth-of-nations-together-1939/)

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