Natural bristle brushes hold the most liquid and are more pliable than others, however they are not very easy to clean.
Silicone and Nylon brushes are very durable, and are very easy to clean. However they don't hold very much liquid. They resist high temperatures, however hey can easily melt when in direct contact with heated sources.
Feathers are great for applying thin liquids, like egg glazes.
Hand wash all your wood-handled and natural-bristle pastry brushes. Let soak in hot sudsy water, then massage the bristles clean with your fingers, and rinse thoroughly until all the soap is gone. Shake it dry, then wrap it in a clean cotton cloth. To help keep bacteria away, occasionally dip the bristles in a solution of bleach water (half capful of bleach to a pint of water) for 30 seconds and rinse. Feather brushes can be swished clean in warm water with a mild soap solution, then swished in clear water to rinse, and allowed to air dry; to sterilize your feather brush, 30 seconds in the microwave on high power.
Dishwashers can be used for silicone brushes and for brushes with plastic handles. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-using.
