A paint brush cleaning apparatus having a rod with a first end portion spaced apart from a second end portion and a paint brush holder having a securement member for releasably securing a paint brush thereto. The rod having a longitudinal axis about which the rod and paint brush holder may rotate. An electric drill may be used in connection with the paint brush cleaning apparatus, with the first end portion typically sized and shaped to engage a drill bit receiving chamber of the electric drill. A protective sheet adapted to protect users from flying paint during the cleaning process may also be employed.