Now that the work is done and your walls look great, it’s time to clean up your tools so your brushes and rollers will be ready to go when you’re ready to start your next paint project.

In this video, you’ll learn the proper techniques for cleaning your brushes and rollers so that you can reuse them over and over again. We’ll also give you some tips on storing your unused paint so you’ll be able to identify it the next time you need to touch up those walls. So let’s get started.

Since you invested in quality paintbrushes, let’s start with the proper procedure to make sure they remain in top shape for your next painting project.

The first thing to remember is that paint can dry fast, so don’t wait too long before cleaning your brush. In fact, I like to clean them several times during the course of a job to avoid getting dried paint clogged in the brush.

Since we used latex paint for our recent project, let’s start with how to clean your brush after using latex paint.

If you have access to a utility sink, bring a bucket to the sink along with a couple of useful tools, including a painter’s comb and some hand soap or hand cleaner. First, fill the bucket with warm water. Then dip the brush in the water and brush the bottom of the bucket in both directions to remove as much paint as possible. Make sure the water is completely penetrating the bristles. Then rinse with clean water under the faucet. Discard the water and refill.

Next, with a painter’s comb, brush the bristles next to the metal ferrule to loosen any dried paint. First use the comb teeth, then the brush side. Repeat the process until the water runs clear.

Rub some hand soap or hand cleaner into the bristles, working it in with your fingers for several minutes. Use the comb to work out any remaining paint from inside the brush, especially down by the ferrule.

Rinse thoroughly under the warm running water while massaging the bristles with your fingers until the water runs clean.

Gently tap the brush to remove as much water as possible from the bristles. Then spin the brush in the palms of your hands. Brush the bristles one last time with the painter’s comb to reshape the brush back to its original shape. Then return the brush to its protective cover for storage.

If you used oil-base paint instead of latex, you’ll use the same basic process to clean your brush, using paint thinner or a solvent-base brush cleaner instead of water.

Now let’s get to work cleaning that roller cover. If you used latex paint, most quality roller covers will last for several uses if cared for properly. The best tool for cleaning roller covers is your 5-in-1 Painter’s Tool. In fact, the curve shaped side of this tool was designed for this specific application.

First, before you start cleaning, use the curved side to scrape out any remaining paint from the roller cover back into the paint can. You’ll be surprised how much paint is left in the roller cover. If you used oil-base paint, it’s probably best to discard the roller after this step.

Next, fill your bucket with clean water and continue to use the 5-in1 tool to scrape paint out of the roller, slowing rotating it as you go. After you’ve removed most of the paint, continue the process under warm running water until the water runs clean.

To remove water from the roller, put it back on the roller frame and give it an aggressive spin or two to fur out the nap. Then return it to its plastic sleeve for storage.

Next, put away any remaining tools and fold up the drop cloth for easy storage.

Now for the paint. Using an old spatula, scrape any paint from the paint tray or paint pails back into the can. Then seal the can tightly by gently tapping on the lid with a hammer or rubber mallet, and store it in a dry location where it won’t freeze. Rinse off the spatula.

On the can, don’t forget to use a marker to write the room painted, the date and the name of your local independent home improvement retailer where you purchased the paint. That way you’ll know where to go if you need more.

That’s it. Now your paint project is really complete. You’ve protected your investment and don’t have to worry about paint drying out your brushes and roller covers.

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