Learn how to clean paint brushes and rollers correctly with expert tips from some of the industry’s biggest paint brands. If paint brushes and rollers aren’t properly cleaned (or if you allow the paint to dry on them), you could be destining them straight for the trash — or, at the very least, compromising the quality of any future paint projects. After investing in (not-so-cheap) painting supplies, you want your gear to last — follow our guide for cleaning paint brushes and rollers.
It’s best to clean paint brushes and rollers ASAP post-painting. Paint is infinitely more difficult to clean once it has begun to dry, and you could risk ruining your tools altogether if you wait until hours later to complete the job.
Use warm water and a bit of mild dish soap to clean the paint from your brushes. Gently work the soap through the bristles until the water runs clear.
Grab a paint brush scraper ($5, lowes.com) to help remove all the paint, including dislodging any dried paint bits near the ferrule. Run the scraper through the bristles, then rinse under warm water and repeat until dried paint is gone.
You may have older brushes with paint dried on them. Instead of throwing them out, follow these steps to remove dried paint from paint brushes and be able to reuse them.
Experts suggest investing in Purdy’s Brush and Roller Spinner (amazon.com), which spins paint brushes and roller covers above a container. This helps remove all of the paint and water from the brush more quickly. Just make sure the area and your clothing are protected against flying paint first.
Once clean, allow paint brushes to air-dry completely before reusing or storing them. This is important to avoid bacteria buildup from the moisture.
As much as possible, store paint brushes by replacing their protective cover. “Keep the original cover your brushes came with when you purchased them,” Watson recommends. “They’re great for keeping bristles intact and helping the brush maintain its original form.”
If you don’t have the brush’s original cover, don’t fret. Simply make a cover using cardboard and duct tape to protect the bristles before storing.
The following steps work for cleaning latex- or water-based paint from paint rollers. If you are using oil-based paint, clean the rollers with a mineral spirit solvent.
Using a putty knife or a paint multi-tool (lowes.com) with a curved edge, scrape excess paint off the roller, either back into the paint can or over a garbage can. Do this before the paint dries.
Remove the roller cover from the paint roller frame and rinse it with warm water. If needed, add a bit of mild dish soap — just be sure to rinse thoroughly so your next paint project doesn’t start to suds up. The roller is clean once the water runs clear.
Let the roller air-dry completely, ideally standing it upright so that one side doesn’t get flattened. Try setting it on an old towel or paper towel while drying to collect any dripping moisture.
To clean the paint roller frame, use soapy water and a sturdy scrub brush (one that you don’t use for dishes or anything food-related) to remove any dried-on paint. Rinse thoroughly, then let the frame air dry completely before storing.
When painting with paint rollers, you likely used a paint tray that also needs cleaning. First, rinse the tray in a bucket full of soapy water. Then, use a stiff paint brush to remove dried paint from the edges of the tray.
Once dry, store paint rollers in a resealable plastic bag or other airtight container. This will help preserve their texture and be ready for use in the future. You can store the rollers separately from the frames, though you can place both in the same container to keep paint supplies easily accessible.
The best way to keep paint brushes and rollers clean longer is by thoroughly cleaning them after each use. Make sure to remove dried-on paint from each tool and let them completely dry before storing them.
The storage method is also crucial. Properly storing your brushes and rollers will help them keep their form and be ready for the next project. Remember to store paint brushes with a protective cover — preferably their original cover — and paint rollers in a plastic bag.
The quality of the tools also matters. While high-quality paint brushes and rollers help you obtain a smoother, more professional finish on your walls, they also last longer.
