Abstract: A sleeve device for protecting paintbrushes during soaking and storage comprises a resilient, generally rectangular body portion, having front and back faces, left and right sides, and a bottom opening, dimensioned to receive the brush stock and bristles; a neck portion having front and back faces continuous with the body portion's front and back faces, dimensioned to receive the brush handle; a shoulder region connecting the top of the body portion with the neck portion; and friction/elastic-retaining means for releasably engaging the brush stock, brush handle, or both. The friction/elastic-retaining means preferably comprise internally-projecting ridges positioned on the left and right sides of the body portion and oriented parallel to the left and right sides, where the ridges exhibit a maximal intrusion near the shoulder region of the left and right faces, and decline to a minimal intrusion near the bottom opening.