How to Clean a Paintbrush

With today's water based house paints it's easy to clean up afterward. This includes the brushes and rollers that you use to paint with. Follow these simple steps and you will be able to use your brush again and again. The secret is to clean them right away and not let the paint dry on them.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Newspaper

Instructions

Cleaning Your Paintbrush

1. As soon as you are done painting, take your paintbrush and run the bristles against the inside rim of the paint can. This will help to release any paint that may still be in between the bristles of the brush.

2. Lay a newspaper flat on a surface and run the brush back and forth on the paper. Doing this will further remove any paint that may still be in or on the brush. Make sure with each stroke across you are doing it on a clean spot of the paper. That way you won't be reabsorbing the paint.

3. Bring the brush to a faucet or garden hose and let the water run over the brush, turning the brush over and slightly applying pressure so that the bristles spread apart. Stop when the water runs clear from the brush.

4. Return to clean newspaper and run the brush back and forth to absorb any water left. If you still see paint coming out, repeat from step 3.

5. When you are satisfied that the brush is clean, take a new piece of newspaper and wrap the brush in it and close it with tape.The brush is ready to be stored and used for another job.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a large painting project, you may want to stop and clean the brush once or twice before completing the job.