How to Clean a Roller Brush

Clean a roller brush after use to keep it in good condition.

Cleaning a roller brush as soon as you are finished painting makes the roller brush last longer. Keeping roller brushes clean and free of paint also keeps your work area clean. When you remove paint from a roller brush, protect the area in which you are cleaning it. Paint can drip onto any surface and is a challenge to remove.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Plastic putty knife
• Solvent
• Aluminum pan
• Paper towels
• Dish-washing soap
• 1 gallon warm water
• 1/2 cup liquid fabric softener
• Large container

1. Use a plastic putty knife to scrape off excess paint from the roller brush.

2. Pour the solvent into an aluminum pan. Agitate the roller brush in the solvent to remove solvent-thinned paints. Blot any excess solution off with paper towels, then wash the roller brush in a warm water and dish-washing soap mixture.

3. Combine one gallon warm water with 1/2 cup fabric softener in a large container to remove water-based paint. Dip the roller brush into the solution and agitate it.

4. Stand up the roller brush. This allows all sides of the roller brush to dry evenly.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean the roller brush in a well-ventilated area to prevent breathing in harmful paint or solvent fumes.

References

• Indo Base: Cleaning Paint Brushes
• TLC: How to Paint a Room