Painting can be considered one of the fastest and most economical means of transforming the look of a piece of furniture or a room. One of the most reliable tools for major painting works is paint rollers.
Hence, learning the effective method of cleaning paint rollers becomes vital knowledge to acquire.
A paint roller can cover more area than a paintbrush. Some paint rollers come with frames with extendable handles, which help in expanding your reach. Rollers and frames are available in different widths in order to fit different tasks and textures for better results.
Many DIYers lazily avoid cleaning paint rollers by discarding them once the job is completed. Certainly, that is one of the ways to clean up, but it can lead to extra costs. Some rollers which are of higher quality cost more but can be reused in order to get value for money. This will as well lead to better paint finishing.
Methods used in cleaning paint rollers are quite simple, provided you adhere to guidelines as applied to different kinds of paints.
How Often Should Paint Rollers Be Cleaned?
Cleaning paint rollers should be done as soon as every painting session is completed. Both the roller frame plus the paint tray require to be cleaned as well.
Useful Tip
During the course of painting, if the need arises for you to go on a short break, the paint rollers should be placed in a large plastic bag and then tied so that the bag shuts around the handle. The same applies to the paint tray, do this to prevent paint from drying before you are back.
Items You Will Need When Cleaning Paint Rollers
Equipment/Tools you will require are: Buckets, Putty Knife, Rubber Gloves, Stiff–Bristled Brush, and Eye Protection.
Materials you will also need are Mineral Spirits, Dish Washing Liquid, Old Rags, newspapers, and a Disposable container.
- Steps to follow on cleaning latex or Water-Based paint from paint rollers.
Make use of the putty knife to slowly scrape the excess paint back into the can of paint. Hold the roller in a perpendicular position over the paint can, then gently work around the roller surface in a downward motion. Complete this exercise by running the roller on the wall’s bare spot or newspapers. By doing this, the remnant of paint will be released.
- To clean the roller frame, take out the roller
Put on your rubber gloves, then remove the roller from the frame. Don’t let the paint dry on the roller before cleaning.
Put some warm water into the bucket, add a few drops of dishwashing liquid and stir well. With the aid of an old rag or stiff-bristled brush, wash off the paint from the roller and the handle. Place it aside for it to air-dry.
- Cleaning paint rollers.
Mix liquid soap and warm water once more, and push the roller into the water. Massage off the paint till it is completely clean.
- Rinse Roller:
Rinse the roller with a lot of water, take out the roller, then shake off the excess water.
- Dry Roller:
Stand the roller upright for it to dry. This will prevent fibers from getting flattened.
- Wash Paint Tray
Wash the paint tray using soapy water and brush. Dispose of washing water properly, and pour it into sewer drainage linked to a facility for water treatment.
Washing Oil–Based Paint From The Paint Roller
The main difference in washing rollers after the use of oil paint is that a solvent, in the form of mineral spirits, needs to be used for the washing.
WARNING: Put on rubber gloves and eye protection. Start by removing the excess paint off the rollers
- Wash Frame and Paint Tray
Dampen a rag with mineral spirits, then scrub off any paint attached to the roller frame and tray. Use a small quantity of spirit and a stiff-bristled brush to wash off dried paints from the tray.
- Cleaning Paint Rollers by Use of Solvent
Pour sufficient mineral spirits into the bucket to submerge the paint roller. Use a small container to minimize the quantity of spirit to be used. Wear hand gloves and use your hands to wash the paint off the roller. Squeeze out mineral spirits softly. Rinse with fresh mineral spirits.
Now use warm soapy water to clean paint rollers properly. Rinse with fresh water, squeeze softly and take for dying. Dispose of mineral spirits remnant in a container by following the guidelines of your municipality.
Take Away
By following the simple steps to cleaning paint rollers, you can save a lot of funds, especially if the project is huge.