I used to toss my brushes in a jar of thinner after a job. Bits of old finish would harden on the bristles. Then, I switched to rinsing them with soap and water right away. It only takes an extra five minutes. Now, my brushes are clean and soft for the next use. My stain goes on even without any grit or streaks. This small habit saved me money and improved my work. What's your go-to method for keeping tools ready?