How to Clean Paint Rollers With a Septic Tank

Clean paint rollers thoroughly after using them.

Septic systems operate with a delicate balance of bacteria to process wastewater from your home. Toxins such as household cleaners and paint can upset that delicate balance and cause the septic system to fail. Everything that pours through your drains ends up in the drain field and ultimately the groundwater near your septic system. Wastewater can end up backing up into your house or yard if the septic system is not properly maintained. Special care should be taken when cleaning paint rollers if you have a septic system to ensure that you do not wash too much paint into the tank.

Things You'll Need

• Putty knife or wooden paint stirrer
• Paint spinner

Instructions

1. Use a putty knife or a wooden paint stirrer to scrape as much leftover paint from the roller as possible. Hold the roller over the paint can so the excess paint drips back into the can.

2. Place the paint roller into a paint spinner and spin the roller. A paint spinner resembles a bicycle pump and operates in a similar manner. You push and pull the plunger to spin the roller, which spins the paint from the roller using centrifugal force.

3. Continue to spin the roller until most of the paint is removed.

4. Rinse the roller well with warm water.

5. Place the paint roller back into the paint spinner and spin until the roller is almost completely dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not dispose of paint down any of your household drains or on the ground. Contact your local landfill for information about local regulations regarding hazardous materials disposal.

References

• U. S. Environmental Protection Agency: A Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems
• "Do It Right The First Time"; Gene Hamilton, Katie Hamilton; 1997