How to Clean Paint Brushes and Rollers (So You Can Actually Reuse Them)

After completing a painting project, whether it’s a room, furniture, or something else, cleaning up is often the last thing on your mind. However, if you’ve purchased good-quality brushes and rollers, reusing them is likely a priority. Spending a few minutes cleaning them immediately can save you significant time and effort down the line. Here’s how to do it.

Prepare your brushes and rollers before painting

You can take steps to simplify cleaning your brushes and rollers even before you begin painting. Start by running your fingers through the dry brush bristles to remove any loose bristles, dust, debris, or stray hairs that may have accumulated.

For rollers, wrap painter’s tape around them and peel it off to remove lint, fibers, or fuzz. These steps prevent debris from mixing into the paint and make cleanup easier.

How to clean paint brushes

Here’s how to handle your paintbrushes:

1. Wear rubber gloves for protection.

2. Scrape the bristles against the edge of the paint can as you remove the brush, then wipe off excess paint on newspaper.

3. For water-based paint: Fill a bucket or sink with hot water and a small amount of mild dish soap. For oil-based paint: Use mineral spirits or turpentine in a bucket.

4. Swirl the brush in the liquid, using your fingers to loosen paint from the bristles, and wipe them against the container’s interior. If paint has dried, let the brush soak in the liquid.

5. Rinse the brush in fresh hot, soapy water, followed by a final rinse in clean water.

6. Shake the brush to remove any leftover water.

How to clean rollers

Here’s how to remove paint from rollers:

1. Wear rubber gloves for protection.

2. Use a putty knife or a similar flat-edged tool to scrape paint off the roller.

3. Roll any leftover paint onto a sheet of newspaper.

4. For water-based paint: Fill a bucket or sink with hot water and a small amount of mild dish soap. For oil-based paint: Use mineral spirits or turpentine in a bucket.

5. While submerged in the liquid, use your hands to work the paint out of the roller.

6. Rinse the roller under running water in the sink.

7. Let the roller dry by standing it upright on its end.