Home Home Improvement Painting How to Clean Paint Brushes and Rollers to Last Longer Experts also explain how to hit pause on your paint project without destroying your brushes. By Alyssa Longobucco Updated on February 28, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Frequency Brushes Rollers Upkeep FAQ 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. Rick Watson is the director of product information and technical services at Sherwin-Williams. Mike Mundwiller is an end-user product experience manager at Benjamin Moore. How Often to Clean Paint Brushes and Rollers Getty Images 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. Rick Watson of Sherwin-Williams "Proper cleaning and storage of all your paint tools [are] important. I try to wash my brushes after each use as soon as I'm done." — Rick Watson of Sherwin-Williams How to Clean Paint Brushes With Dish Soap Getty Images What You Need: Mild dish soapPaint brush scraperContainer or small bowl (optional)White distilled vinegar (optional)Pot (optional)Tongs or pot holder (optional)Brush comb (optional)Brush and roller spinner (optional) Step 1: Wash Brushes 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. Step 2: Remove Paint From Brushes 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. Step 3: Clean Dried-on Paint (Optional) 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. Soak in vinegar. Fill a container with white vinegar. Place the hardened brush in the vinegar and wait at least an hour. If the brush bristles are still stiff, soak again for another hour.Boil the vinegar (optional). If the brush is still rigid after soaking for two hours, add vinegar to a pot. Submerge the paint brush head in the vinegar and bring the pot to a boil. Remove the pot from heat and let it sit until cool. Carefully remove the paint brush from the vinegar (use tongs or a pot holder to avoid burning).Comb and rinse the brush. Once the brush has completely cooled, finger comb its bristles (or use a brush comb). Rinse brush clean with water, removing all loose paint. Repeat steps 1 to 3 if necessary. Some paint brushes with stubborn dried-on paint may need 24 hours of vinegar soaking. If your brush doesn't respond to vinegar at all, a commercial brush cleaner may help. Step 4: Use a Spinner Experts suggest investing in Purdy's Brush and Roller Spinner ($24, 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. Step 5: Dry Brushes Once clean, allow paint brushes to air-dry completely before reusing or storing them. This is important to avoid bacteria buildup from the moisture. Step 6: Store Brushes 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. How to Clean Paint Rollers With Dish Soap 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. Getty Images What You Need: Metal painting multi-tool or putty knife Garbage can (optional) Mild dish soap Old towel or paper towel Scrubbing brush Bucket Stiff-bristled paint brush Resealable plastic bag or airtight container Step 1: Scrape Off Excess Paint Using a putty knife or a paint multi-tool ($14, 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. Step 2: Wash and Rinse 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. Step 3: Dry Roller 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. Step 4: Clean Roller Frame 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. Step 5: Wash the Paint Tray 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. Another method for cleaning a paint tray is to let the paint dry and then peel it off. This works for plastic trays (or a plastic liner) and isn't always effective. Step 6: Store Rollers and Frames 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. How to Keep Your Paint Brushes and Rollers Clean Longer Getty Images 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. Rick Watson of Sherwin-Williams "Always use quality tools and quality paint. That will make a huge difference not only in the finish of your paint job but also in the ease of painting and the longevity of your tools." — Rick Watson of Sherwin-Williams Getty Images Frequently Asked Questions What are the best brushes and rollers for painting? Watson recommends choosing a brush with a wooden handle and metal ferrule (which connects the bristles to the handle), as plastic parts are more likely to fall apart with frequent use. Brands like Purdy also feature densely packed bristles made from a nylon and polyester blend. This blend teams up for excellent durability and shape retention."When it comes to bristles, it sounds counterintuitive, but you want to look for flagged bristles, meaning the ends are split or fuzzy and feel soft to the touch," Watson explains. "This results in a smoother texture and sharper lines when cutting in."For rollers, the trick lies in pairing the right nap length with the texture of the wall you're painting. Extremely smooth surfaces can handle a short nap (usually ⅛-inch to ¼-inch), while more textured surfaces (like brick) need a longer nap of ¾-inches. You should also invest in a durable, sturdy paint tray that's ribbed on the bottom to help evenly distribute paint onto the roller. How do you prepare paint brushes and rollers before painting? According to Mike Mundwiller of Benjamin Moore, there are a few things you can do before painting to ensure you're getting the most out of your quality tools. Mundwiller suggests running your hands over the bristles of your brush a few times to dislodge any stray hairs that could get into your paint, as well as lining your paint tray with a plastic liner or wrap to make cleanup a breeze.Another pro trick? Painter's tape—but not the way you think. "Before your first application with a new roller, wrap the entire roller with blue painter's tape, then pull it off," says Mundwiller. "This will 'de-fuzz' your roller prior to painting, ensuring you don't have any fibers deposited into your paint or onto your walls once you get going." How do you store paint tools between coats or when you take a break? If waiting for coats to dry or you need to take a break, don't leave your paint brush or roller behind in a puddle of paint. If using a roller and paint tray, Watson suggests trashing the whole thing—but not literally."If I'm using a roller tray, I will get a standard garbage bag and put everything in that—tray, roller handle with roller and brushes," Watson says. "Be sure to close it tightly to keep the air out."Both pros suggest painters can also prepare for brief breaks (think: an hour or two) by storing used brushes and rollers in plastic bags or tightly-wrapped plastic wrap, ensuring that all air is away from the surface of the paint."If you are ending for the day and you want to pick it back up in the morning, wrap your tools and store them in a refrigerator," suggests Mundwiller. "Just make sure that prior to starting the next day, you let the tools warm up to room temperature before painting with them." How to Get Paint Out of a Carpet (Latex or Oil-Based) Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit