hands washing a paint brush in a sink with purdy tool

How to Clean and Store Paint Brushes, Rollers and Trays

Keeping your painting tools in top condition is essential for a professional finish. This guide covers how to clean paint brushes, rollers and trays without damaging them, ensuring they last longer and perform at their best. Whether you use water-based or oil-based paints, following the right cleaning techniques will save you time and money.

Why Cleaning Your Painting Tools Properly Matters

  • Extends the lifespan of paint brushes, rollers and trays – Regular cleaning prevents bristles from becoming stiff, rollers from matting, and trays from accumulating hardened paint, allowing you to use them for multiple projects without deterioration.
  • Prevents dried paint build-up, which can affect future applications – Leftover paint can dry onto bristles and roller fibres, making them rigid and less effective at applying smooth, even coats in future projects.
  • Reduces waste and saves money on replacements – Well-maintained tools last significantly longer, reducing the need to frequently purchase new brushes, rollers, and trays, ultimately saving you money.
  • Ensures a smoother, more professional paint finish – Clean tools allow for even paint application, preventing streaks, clumps, or unwanted textures caused by old, dried paint residue.

How to Clean and Store Paint Brushes

Cleaning Paint Brushes with Water-Based Paints

  1. Remove excess paint as possible by wiping the brush on the edge of the paint tin or using a paint scraper or putty knife to brush through the bristles. Then, paint the brush onto a cloth or old newspapers or paper towels to remove any remaining paint.
  2. Rinse with warm water by holding the brush under warm water and gently massage the bristles to remove any remaining paint, keep repeating until the water runs clear.
  3. Use a mild brush cleaner for a deeper clean by dipping the brush in Polycell Brush Cleaner and working it through the bristles until they are clean, remembering to wear gloves.
  4. Rinse thoroughly with clean water until no paint residue remains on the bristles. Also, clean the handle if needed by using a cloth with soapy water but remaining careful with the brush to avoid soaking the whole brush in water.
  5. Shake out excess water and wipe on a dry, clean cloth to remove any excess water before gently reshaping the bristles before hanging the brush, bristles facing down, allowing it to dry fully.

Cleaning Paint Brushes with Oil-Based Paints

  1. Wipe off excess paint by scraping it back into the paint tin. Then, brush onto an old rag or newspaper to remove any remaining paint.
  2. Soak in white spirit or use Barrettine Paint Brush Cleaner – Swirl the brush bristles in a container with the solution until the paint dissolves. When using white spirit or solvent-based brush cleaners, always wear gloves and use them in a well-ventilated area. Repeat until the brush has no remaining paint left. Dispose of the solvent into a jar and keep it for next time, the hardened paint will separate to the bottom, allowing you to separate and use it again.
  3. Wash with warm, soapy water to remove the remaining solvent and gently squeeze out any remaining solution or paint.
  4. Rinse with clean water. Also, clean the handle if needed by using a cloth with solvent and/or soapy water until clean.
  5. Dry the brush by wiping it onto a clean cloth to remove any excess water before gently reshaping the bristles back to their shape. Allow to fully dry by hanging bristles down before storing. 
  6. If the brushes have hardened or the paint is difficult to remove, use Barrettine Paint Brush Restorer to soak the brushes overnight to bring them back to the new.

Storage Tips for Paint Brushes

  • Hang or lay brushes flat to maintain bristle shape.
  • Use a Brushmate vapour box for oil-based brushes to prevent drying out.
  • Wrap bristles in paper or cling film to help them retain their form.
  • Ensure brushes are completely dry before storing to avoid mould growth.

How to Clean and Store Paint Rollers

Cleaning Water-Based Paint from Rollers

  1. Scrape off excess paint using a roller scraper or roll it out on a newspaper or magazine to get out as much paint as you can. To avoid wastage hold the roller upright over the paint tin while you scrape.
  2. Rinse under warm water while rolling it out to remove leftover paint. Try to squeeze out as much paint as possible, keep repeating washing the roller under the water until it runs clear.
  3. Use Barrettine Paint Brush Cleaner for a deeper clean by pouring the solution to a tray, working the cleaner into the roller sleeve before rinsing thoroughly with warm water.
  4. Spin dry or use a cloth to remove excess water by squeezing out as much as possible before allowing the roller to air dry. Allow the roller sleeve to fully air dry by standing it up on the end (not on the pile) before storing away.
  5. Clean the roller frame and handle by using a sponge and warm soapy water to clean off all the paint before rinsing under the tap and leaving to air dry.

Cleaning Oil-Based Paint from Rollers

  1. Remove excess paint with a scraper trying to scrape this back into the tin to reduce the amount of wasted paint. Roll the roller sleeve on some newspaper to try and remove any lasting paint.
  2. Roll in white spirit or Barrettine Paint Brush Restorer for a few minutes to loosen the paint in a large container that fits the roller's widthways. Then scrape off the excess and repeat for a couple of times before repeating with some fresh clean solution. You should be able to reuse the solvent as the old paint will settle to the bottom allowing you to separate and use for next time. When using white spirit or solvent-based brush cleaner, wear gloves and use it in a well-ventilated area.
  3. Rinse with warm, soapy water to remove remaining solvent trying to squeeze out as much as you can until the roller is clean and the water is running clear.
  4. Dry thoroughly by using a clean cloth and standing up right (on its end not the pile) before fully allowing it to dry before storing.
  5. Clean the roller frame by using some of the remaining solvent to wipe clean with a paper towel or cloth before rinsing with water and allowing to dry.

Storage Tips for Paint Rollers

  • Store rollers upright or hang them to maintain shape, avoid lying them flat on the pile.
  • Wrap rollers in cling film or plastic bags if planning to reuse them soon, to prevent the paint from fully drying.
  • Ensure rollers are fully dry before long-term storage to prevent mould.

How to Clean and Store Paint Trays

Cleaning Paint Trays with Water-Based Paint

  1. Pour excess paint back into the tin if still usable by using a paint brush or the end of the roller.
  2. Wipe out any remaining paint with a damp cloth or paper towel.
  3. Rinse with warm water and mild soap, washing up liquid can work well for this. Keep washing until the tray is fully clean.
  4. Let it dry completely by standing it on its side before storing away.

Cleaning Paint Trays with Oil-Based Paint

  1. Scrape out excess paint from the tray back into the tin by using the paint brush or end of the roller.
  2. Use white spirit or Barrettine Paint Brush Restorer to dissolve paint residue by working the solution around the tray using a paint brush to break down the remaining paint. Dispose of the solvent into a jar to let the paint fall to the bottom of the jar before reusing again next time.
  3. Wipe clean with a cloth and rinse with soapy water until there is no paint remaining.
  4. Dry fully by standing it on it's side to air dry before storing.

Storage Tips for Paint Trays

  • Line trays with disposable tray liners before painting for an easier clean-up.
  • Store trays in a dry place to prevent rusting or warping.
  • Avoid stacking wet trays, as they can stick together. Always allow to fully dry before storing away.

Best Products for Cleaning and Storing Paint Brushes, Rollers & Trays

FAQs: Cleaning and Storing Paint Brushes, Rollers &Trays

How do you clean dried paint from a brush? 

Use a white spirit or a paint brush cleaner to revive hardened bristles. Follow the instructions on the solution but by soaking the bristles in the solution before cleaning with warm soapy water.

How do you get hard paint off a paint roller sleeve?

Try soaking the roller sleeve in solvent for a couple of hours before washing with warm soapy water and allowing to dry.

Can you reuse a paint roller?

Yes, if cleaned and stored properly, they can be used over and over again. 

Should you clean rollers after every use?

Yes, cleaning a roller helps to extend their lifespan and prevent paint build-up. If you plan on using your roller or brush the next day you could also put the tools into a plastic bag or wrap in cling film and secure with masking tape to prevent the paint from drying.

Can I wash my painting tools in the sink?

Only wash them in the sink if you have been using water-based paints. For oil-based paints use a white spirit first to fully remove all the paint before washing in warm soapy water.

How do you keep brushes soft after cleaning?

Always ensure that all paint has been fully removed and that brushes are dried properly. Also consider conditioning them with a small drop of linseed oil.

 

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