Washing and Cleaning Your Paint Brushes and Rollers

Did you know that not all paints should be washed out of brushes and rollers with soap and water? Knowing how to wash paint brushes is important to prevent damage and prolong the lifespan of your painting supplies. Following these tips from your local Five Star Painting pros can help you learn how to clean different types of paint out of your brushes, rollers, and even hardened paint brushes.

The Best Way to Clean Paint Brushes

To keep your brushes soft and usable for the next project, keep them consistently damp. If you must take a break, wrap the brush in a damp paper towel to maintain moisture. You’ll also want to clean it immediately after each use—the cleanup job is significantly easier before the paint hardens into the bristles.

For the best results, follow these steps for how to wash paint brushes:

1. Choose the correct solvent. There is no one specific solvent to clean every paint type out of all kinds of brushes. Look at the manufacturer's directions to know what to use for your type of paint. In general, oil-based paints and lacquers wash away well with paint thinner or mineral spirits. Shellacs respond better to denatured alcohol or ammonia. Water-based paints can be cleaned with soap and warm water.
2. Use a clean container instead of washing paint down the sink. Can you wash paint brushes in the sink? We wouldn’t advise it. Between potentially clogging your plumbing system, exposing yourself to heavy fumes, and pouring flammable liquid down the drain, cleaning your brushes in the sink can be problematic. Instead, fill a clean, small container with the solvent. This allows you to change out the solvent with minimal waste while cleaning the brush. Seal and reuse this solvent later, or let it completely evaporate in a safe location—like your garage—before disposing of it.
3. Agitate the paint out of the brush. Dip the paintbrush in the solvent and use a brushing motion to work the color out of the bristles. Avoid twisting or pressing down directly on the bristles or pushing them back into the handle, potentially damaging the brush.
4. Clean and clean again. Wash the brush until the solvent comes out clean. Thorough cleaning is essential because the smallest amount of paint in your brushes can cause them to harden.
5. Dry. Once your brush is clean, use a paper towel to press the excess water out gently. Any color left on the paper towel indicates the brush needs more cleaning. Once clean, allow the brush to finish drying on a flat surface.

Related Content: Should I Sand Between Coats of Paint?

What About Paint Rollers—Should You Clean Them or Throw Them Away?

Paintbrushes can be cleaned and used again, but are you supposed to clean paint rollers or throw them away? Rollers can be reused, but proper cleaning is essential to achieve smooth paint application when using them for future projects.

Follow these steps for how to wash paint rollers:

1. Roll in cleaning solution. Add the solvent for the type of paint you are using to a clean roller pan; then roll the paint roller in the solution to loosen up the paint. If you use a harsher chemical like ammonia, wear gloves to protect your hands and be careful of splashes that could hurt your skin or ruin your clothes.
2. Scrub until solvent runs clear. After rolling out as much as you can, pop the roller off the handle so you can continue to massage the paint out of the roller with gloved hands.
3. Use a putty knife to dislodge paint. When paint gets in between the roller and the handle, it crusts up. The putty knife can help you dislodge the chunks before they harden further to ensure a smooth roll for the next time.
4. Dry on a string or dowel. To dry evenly, place the roller on a string or dowel instead of laying it on one side or letting it stand on one end.
5. Store in a dust-free cabinet. A dusty roller means dirt in your next paint job; store it in a clean, dry place so it will be ready when you need it.

Related Topic: Dos and Don’ts of Storing Paint Brushes

Cleaning Hardened Paint Brushes

What if you don’t clean the brushes right away? It’s easy to set the brush aside with good intentions of cleaning it soon, only to find it weeks later hardened like a rock. Is it too late, or can you salvage the crusty brush?

Before you toss them in the trash, try these methods to clean hardened paint brushes:

• Clean the brush with solvent. As long as you know which type of paint is hardened on the brush, you can match it with the appropriate solvent. Pour some solvent into a clean container and swirl the brush in the liquid, softening the paint. After the brush is clean, rinse with water. Dry with a paper towel and reshape the brush before finishing the drying on a flat surface.
• Use vinegar to clean paint brushes. Bring vinegar to a simmer in a pan on the stove, remove from heat, and set the hardened brush in the hot liquid for 20 minutes. After the soak, wash with soap and warm water, working out the remaining bits of paint. Pat with a paper towel and finish drying flat.
• Soften the bristles with fabric softener. Add fabric softener to warm water and massage the paint out of the hardened bristles. Rinse in clean water after removing all of the paint. Dry flat to avoid water running back into the handle and damaging the brush.

Skip the Paint Brush Cleaning—Hire a Local Expert

Cleaning paint off brushes and rollers effectively will differ depending on the type of paint you use and whether you’re cleaning a brush or a roller. But is the brush and/or roller cleaning process even worth it? Many homeowners don’t have the cleaning solutions on hand, which means a trip to the store. Then there's the time it takes to clean your painting supplies. You’ll also have to find a place to store it all safely. So, you may be staring down at a set of hardened paint brushes and rollers and thinking, “there must be a better way.”

Instead of jumping through hoops to get it all done, let the service pros at your local Five Star Painting beautify your home with a fresh coat of paint and handle the cleanup too! We offer interior painting and exterior painting services to help beautify your home inside and out so you can get the look you want without dealing with any of the cleanup and mess. To get started, call us or schedule an estimate online today.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Five Star Painting is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact the Five Star Painting location nearest you for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.

FAQs About Cleaning Paintbrushes

Our years of experience, attention to detail, and decades-long commitment to exceptional customer service set Five Star Painting apart from the competition. Continuing this high standard also includes using our knowledge and experience to answer your most frequently asked questions about washing paint brushes and rollers.

How do I keep my paintbrushes from drying out?

Keeping your paintbrushes from drying out is important for extending their lifespan and saving you money on replacements. Dried paint hardens the bristles, making them stiff, unusable, and difficult, if not impossible, to clean. The key is to prevent air from reaching the paint on the bristles.

Here's a simple guide:

During short breaks (minutes to hours):

1. Place brushes in a jar of water (water-based) or solvent (oil-based), ensuring bristles are submerged. Washing paintbrushes in the sink is not needed for short breaks.
2. Alternatively, wrap brush heads tightly in a damp paper towel or plastic wrap.

For longer breaks (overnight or longer):

1. Clean brushes thoroughly with appropriate cleaner: water and soap for water-based, solvent for oil-based.
2. Rinse paintbrushes in the sink or another container.
3. Reshape the bristles.
4. Store horizontally or bristles-up in a container.

Can I save a paint roller for the next day without washing it?

Yes, you can often save a paint roller for the next day without washing it, especially if you plan to continue using the same paint color. The key is to prevent the paint on the roller from drying out, saving time, water, and the effort of cleaning. However, this method is best for latex or water-based paints and relatively short periods (usually overnight).

Here's how to save a paint roller for the next day:

1. Remove excess paint: Roll as much excess paint as possible back into the paint tray or onto a scrap surface. This reduces the amount of paint that can dry on the roller.
2. Wrap tightly: Immediately wrap the roller cover tightly in plastic wrap. Ensure there are no gaps or openings where air can enter, as air exposure is what causes the paint to dry.
3. Seal the ends: Fold over the ends of the plastic wrap to seal the roller further and prevent air from reaching the edges.
4. Storage: Store the wrapped roller horizontally or standing up. Avoid placing it in a way that might crush or distort the roller cover.
5. Refrigerate (optional): For slightly longer storage (up to a couple of days) or in warmer environments, you can place the wrapped roller in a resealable plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator. This slows down the drying process. Allow the roller to come to room temperature before using it again.

Keep in mind that this is a short-term solution. For longer storage after a painting project is complete, it's always best to thoroughly clean your paint roller.

For oil-based paints: If you’re using oil-based paints, cleaning is generally recommended before short-term storage due to the nature of the paint and solvents used.

What’s the easiest way to clean oil-based paint off brushes?

The easiest way to clean oil-based paint off brushes involves using a solvent to break down the oil. While turpentine and paint thinner are traditional options, mineral spirits (especially odorless varieties) are often preferred due to the gentler odor and lower toxicity.

Follow this straightforward method for cleaning oil-based paint:

1. Wipe off excess paint: Before introducing any solvent, wipe as much paint as possible from the brush onto paper towels or a rag. This reduces the amount of solvent needed and speeds up the cleaning process.
2. Solvent rinse: Pour a small amount of mineral spirits (or your chosen solvent) into a container. Dip the brush bristles into the solvent, ensuring the paint-saturated area is submerged. Gently swirl and work the brush against the bottom and sides of the container to loosen the paint. Do not wash paint brushes in the sink when using oil-based paints or solvents.
3. Repeat with clean solvent: Remove the brush and wipe off the paint-filled solvent with a clean paper towel or rag. Pour fresh, clean solvent into the container and repeat the process. Continue until you see no more paint being released from the bristles. Using a second container of clean solvent ensures a more thorough final rinse.
4. Soap and water wash (optional but recommended): While the solvent removes the oil paint, a final wash with warm water and dish soap can help remove any residual solvent and condition the bristles. Gently lather the bristles in your palm until the water runs clear. Instead of rinsing paint brushes in the sink, do so over a spare bucket and leave it to dry.
5. Reshape and dry: Shake out excess water, reshape the bristles with your fingers, and lay the brush flat or hang it bristles-down to dry completely. Proper drying helps maintain the brush shape and prevent damage.

Remember to work in a well-ventilated area when using solvents and dispose of paint-filled solvents responsibly according to local regulations.