How to Store Paint Rollers That Are Full of Paint

Store your paint roller instead of washing it.

Painting with a roller is an easy, fast and economical way to add an update to either the interior or exterior of a home. Rollers are easy to use and spread the paint on the surface faster than using a paint brush; however, they take longer to clean up than brushes. If you want to save the clean up time and cost of a new paint roller for each new day while completing a paint project, choose to store your paint rollers instead. Paint rollers can be stored easily and quickly during painting breaks or overnight.

Things You'll Need

• Paint roller
• Bucket
• Paint tray
• Thick garbage bag
• 3 plastic grocery bags per paint roller
• Spray bottle
• Water

Instructions

1. Roll the paint roller that is full of paint on the wall, on a roller tray in bucket, or on a paint tray to remove the excess paint that could drip and be wasted. You don't want the paint roller to be sopping wet with paint.

2. Open up a thick garbage bag or a plastic grocery bag. Place the paint roller in the bag. It can still be on the pole.

3. Wrap the plastic tightly around the wet paint roller removing any excess air. If you use a plastic grocery bag, use two or three more bags to wrap around the paint roller.

4. Store the wet paint roller wrapped in plastic in a cold, dark place overnight or up to 2 days.

Tips & Warnings

• If you live in a hot climate or a dry climate, you can store the paint roller removed from the pole in the refrigerator or in a cooler on ice.

• Some people freeze the rollers if they need to store them for longer than 3 days. You must let the roller thaw completely before using again.

• When you are ready to use the roller, if the paint is a little tacky, just spray with a little water. Then roll the roller in fresh paint to begin painting again.

• Don't forget that you can recycle your latex paint roller by washing it with water, letting it dry thoroughly, and storing it in a dry place until future use.

References

• Bob Vila: Roller Recycle

Resources

• Sherwin-Williams: Cleaning Up Paints