Learn how to clean and store your brushes

1) In the middle of a painting project and need a break? You don’t need to wash brushes and rollers completely. Just wrap the head of your paintbrushes and rollers in cling film or in an airtight plastic bag. Seal around the handle with masking tape and store in a dry place for up to two days.

2) Finished with your project? Clean brushes and rollers properly. First, scrape off as much paint as you can.

3) Did you use water-based paint? Soak your brush or roller in warm water for two hours. Dry with a clean cloth and store in a dry place for the future.

4) Did you use solvent-based paint? Pour a small amount of solvent-based cleaner (found at hardware stores) into a small jar or container. Rub the brush against the sides to get the cleaner into the base of the bristles. Soak for two hours. Dry the brushes with a clean cloth and store them in a dry place for the future.

5) Don’t pour solvent-based cleaners down the sink. After you finish cleaning your brushes, cover jar or container that you used and leave it for 24 hours. When the paint has sunk to the bottom, tip the cleaner on the top into the original bottle for future use. Then let the paint fully dry in the jar before putting it in the bin. Try to use as little solvent as possible – the planet will thank you!

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