After completing a home makeover or fresh painting job and you’ve taken a moment to admire your work, there’s still one more step you have to do: Clean your paint brushes. Sure, washing your paintbrushes and rollers takes a bit of time, but it’s a part of the process you won’t want to skip.
Taking proper care of your brushes allows you to justify purchasing higher quality brushes—which enable better and faster work. “Cleaning your paint brushes and rollers is a great opportunity to make your money go further and to reduce trash and waste,” says Eli Massar, an expert painter and founder of Smooth Sailing Painters.
We asked painting professionals for their go-to methods for how to clean paint brushes and paint rollers to ensure the longest possible lifespan and preserve their integrity from one use to the next.
Materials Needed:
- Latex gloves
- Plastic bag
- Warm water
- Laundry sink
- Dish soap or commercial brush cleaner
- Comb or wire brush
How to Clean Paint Brushes
To clean paint brushes, Massar utilizes the following simple method (dish soap!). Get your painting supplies sparkling in no time by following the below steps.
- Remove as much of the paint as possible by pushing it against the side of the can, drop cloth, or other scrap material.
- Using either dish soap or a dedicated brush cleaning solution, rinse under warm and soapy water. Repeat until the water runs clean, being careful not to overbend or split the bristles to avoid disturbing the shape and integrity of the brush.
- If the brush still has bits of dried paint, comb through it with a brush comb or wire brush to remove.
- Shake out the excess water or spin the handle between your palms. (Do this in the sink to avoid splattering water everywhere.)
How to Clean Paint Rollers
While typically less expensive than high-quality paint brushes, paint rollers should still be cleaned for future use or touch-ups. To clean your paint rollers, follow Massar’s step-by-step technique:
- Remove the roller from the roller case. Using latex gloves or plastic bag, squeeze the excess paint back into the can.
- Run the roller under warm water, squeezing it out as you do. Repeat until the water runs clear.
- Wring out the roller to remove as much water as possible.
- Rinse out the sink with warm water. Scrub lightly with an abrasive pad if need be.
- Hang the roller vertically to allow the remaining water to drip from the bottom.
Tips and Tricks for Cleaning Your Paint Brushes
Want to paint (and clean up) like a total pro? Here are some additional expert-approved tips to keep your paint brushes clean for use after use.
- Try to clean your brushes and rollers as soon as you finish painting, says Ryan Parr, founder of Nashville Painting Professionals. Cleaning your bushes before the paint has the opportunity to harden makes it easier to keep them fresh and makes them last longer.
- If you painting over several days, wrap wet brushes and rollers in plastic wrap to cut down on cleaning time in between breaks.
- Avoid using a sink with a slow drain, cautions Massar. “The paint is relatively likely to get caught in the existing clog”
- Be mindful of how much paint you pick up on your brush while painting. “Avoid overloading your brushes and rollers with paint,” cautions Parr. Too much paint on the brush or roller makes them harder to clean.
- “Paint gently,” says Massar. “The paint should look like it wants to be applied.” Don’t force the paint or mush the brush against the wall. Abusing your brushes will significantly shorten their lifespan.
- Hang your brushes by the handle and stand rollers upright while they dry, advises Parr. Leaving them handle-side down can allow water to seep into the brush, loosening the glue that holds the bristles in place.
