Follow these simple steps to properly clean paint brushes after your next do-it-yourself project.

If your home is connected to the municipal sewer system, you can wash latex paint brushes directly in the sink. But for septic tanks: Use a small bucket to wash off the paint and a larger bucket to collect the dirty water after each rinse. Let the paint water evaporate outdoors for several days or use sand or kitty litter to soak it up faster. Wash the brush’s bristle in dish soap and water to get the solvent out. After you finish cleaning the brush in the solvent, remove the brush, rinse it under running water, and then add some dish soap to the bristles. Work the soap into the bristles and then rinse the brush until you have removed all of the soap.

Watch more Painting & Wallpaper videos: your best efforts, do your. Once the vinegar is boiling, take the paint brush by the handle and dip the bristles in the water. Push them back and forth on the bottom of the saucepan, imitating brush strokes. You need to remove the brush from the vinegar every 15 seconds to 20 seconds and see how the bristles are cleaning up. The water-based cleaner on the right is only good for synthetic brushes. Both solvents will remove hardened latex and oil-based paint. The brushes must soak overnight (cover the container on the left with foil in a well-ventilated area). If the paint isn't softened after 24 hours, let the brushes soak another day.

Long handle stain brush. Steam voucher. Photo: istockphoto.com

An investment in high-quality paint brushes is wasted if they are not properly cleaned and stored after use. Indeed, rushing through the end of a paint job can leave you with flecks of paint in your brushes—which will lead to an imperfect finish on your next project—as well as misshapen bristles. So invest the extra two minutes it takes to do the job right and follow this guide on how to clean paint brushes.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon
– Newspapers
– Mineral spirits
– Turpentine
– Mild liquid dish soap
– Small plastic buckets
– Paint brush and roller spinner
– Rags

The Right Way to Clean Paint Brushes

Photo: istockphoto.com

1. Use up what paint remains on your brush on whatever you are painting.
   Press the bristles against the inside of the paint can, and lift it up and out as you do—that will squeeze out more paint. Paint away the rest on newspapers, because cleaning a brush is made easier if you remove as much of the paint from its bristles as possible.
2. Next, examine the can of paint, and use the appropriate sol­vent.
   The right solvent makes the job easy by loosening dried paint, but the wrong one will probably be no help at all. Fill a small bucket with one of the following depending on the type of paint you’ve used:
   • Mineral spirits or turpentine to remove oil-based paint
   • Hot water and mild liquid dish soap to clean paint brushes that have been used to apply latex paint
3. Immerse the paint brush in the solvent.
   Stir the solvent with the brush for about 10 seconds, wiping and squeezing the bristles on the sides of the container. Work the bristles between your fingers, and run a brush comb through them to remove excess paint without damaging the bristles. If some of the paint has begun to dry on the brush, soaking the brush may be necessary.
4. Wash it in warm soapy water in a utility sink or bucket.
   Once the paint has been removed from the brush, warm soapy water will clean the brush of the sol­vent and remaining paint.
5. Shake or spin the paintbrushes dry.
   Before you store your paint brushes, you’ll want to remove all of the water from their bristles. Many DIYers will do so by shaking the brush at the top of a bucket and then blotting the brush dry with a clean rag or news­paper.

   But, for those that have plans to do a lot of painting and wish to preserve their tools, a brush and roller spinner will come in handy. This dual-purpose tool will speed-dry either type of paint applicators using centrifugal force. Just attach a paint brush to the bottom of the tool, then pump the top several times to spin it and fling all water off the business end of the brush.

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6. When storing paint brushes, hang them up or lay them flat.
   Hanging paint tools from a pegboard in your workshop or craft room is not only a great organizational method, but it ensures that the brush’s bristles don’t get bent out of shape stuffed in a bin somewhere. Replace the packaging on your paint brush to maintain its form and prolong its useful lifespan.

Photo: istockphoto.com

It’s a joy to live in the country, isn’t it? Um, except when you’ve just completed a painting project and it’s time for clean up.

Because the delicate balance of biological elements in your septic tank can be severely upset by paint, cleaning your brushes, rollers and even your hands in the sink is a no-no

Why Can’t I Do This?

Both latex- and oil-based paints have chemicals in them that won’t break down in your septic tank. Those chemicals will also “stress or destroy the biological treatment taking place” in your tank, according to the EPA.

What Could Happen?

Surface and ground water could become contaminated. Not good. Your septic tank could get seriously damaged and need replacement. Also not good.

What Should I Do Instead?

Sometimes it’s a toss up. If you use disposable paintbrushes and rollers, you’re adding to the landfill. But reusable eco-friendly painting supplies need to be cleaned before being used again.

How To Clean Old Paint Brushes

Maybe you could take that stuff to your mom (who lives in the city, of course) and have her give it a good cleaning.

How To Clean Old Latex Paint Brushes

Or not.

Probably the best, and greenest, method is to cut back on the amount of clean up required. Squeeze every last drop from your paintbrush and roller tray. Use disposable liners for that tray. Try to get paint on the walls, instead of all over yourself.

The less clean up you need to do, the less hassle it is.

You may even need to think twice before repainting. Does it truly need to be done? Make a decision that’s environmentally responsible and still satisfies your redecorating tastes.

Clean Latex Paint Brush Dried