Have you ever wondered how to clean a roller of paint? We did too. We asked our experts to give us their top tips for keeping your paint brushes and rollers in tip-top shape.
You’ll get more use out of your tools if you keep them clean.
Like mom and dad used to say: Clean your tools and they will last longer. This is true for paint brushes as well as rollers. You’ll get the best use out of your paint brushes and rollers if you purchase high-quality ones. They can last up to five years with paint rollers, while paint brushes can last up to 10 years. You can extend their life expectancy by cleaning them properly. However, there are some things that you should know before you put your brushes or rollers in a bucket.
How to Clean a Paint Brush
It’s not difficult to clean a paintbrush. All you need is the right cleaner and some elbow grease.
Acrylic paints and latex are water-based. This means that you can wash your brushes with warm soapy water. You will need:
- Mild detergent
- Warm water
- A bucket
- A paint brush comb
- Mineral spirits (for stubborn painting)
First, mix the detergent with the water in a bucket. Dip the brush in the detergent and water. Next, use your hands to massage the soap into the bristles. Rinse the brush with clean water. Repeat this process until you are satisfied.
Use a specific cleaning solvent to clean oil paint, varnishes, lacquer, or shellac.
Dip the brush into the solvent in a small glass jar. The thinner should be applied to the bristles. Dip the brush into the container and then work your way through. Once the bristles are clean, put new cleaner in a clean container and continue the process.
You can clean oil-based or water-based paints with a paint brush brush comb.
After your brushes have dried, spin them to remove any excess solvent or water. Then, comb the bristles to restore their original shape.
What about dried paint brushes?
You can save money by knowing how to clean a dry paint brush and keep them out of the trash.
Put the brush cleaner in a large glass or metal container that is big enough to hold the brush. To contain fumes, place the brush in the container. Cover it with a plastic bag. Let the brush sit for at least one night, then use a new paint cleaner to clean the brush.
Depending on whether you used oil-based or water-based paint, follow the steps above.
How to Clean a Paint Roller
To restore rollers to their paint-ready condition, you will need to do a bit more work than with brushes.
Pro tip: Instead of cleaning your rollers every day, cover them with plastic bags and paint roller covers over night.
You will need the following to clean a roller:
- Running water (for water-based paintings)
- Solvent (for oil-based paintings)
- A tray for oil-based paints
- 5 in 1 Tool
To remove any excess paint, run the curved blade from your 5 in 1 tool along the roller. To clean water-based paints, you can pull the cover half way down the frame. Then run the entire thing under running water. Clean the paint from the fibers with your hands until it runs clear.
Pour oil-based paints into a paint tray. Next, remove the roller cover from the tray and dip it in the solvent.
Instead of drying them on their sides, stand up and place your rollers on the floor. This will cause them to become lopsided and crush their nap.