Clean a Paint Roller So It's Good for Three or Four More Uses

The Problem

Most roller covers get one coat of paint and then a trip to the trash — not because they're worn out, but because dried paint ruins them overnight. Cleaned and stored properly, a good cover is reusable three or four times, and the frame lasts indefinitely.

The Technique

This applies to water-based paints — acrylic and latex. Solvent-based paints need solvent cleanup.

1. Scrape the excess paint off the cover and back into the tray with a putty knife, then roll whatever's left onto scrap paper or cardboard.
2. Pull the cover off the frame and drop both into a bucket of hot water with a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Hotter water works better; wear rubber gloves. Go easy on the soap.
3. Scrub the frame's cage and handle with a firm-bristle brush to get paint out of the crevices, then rinse the frame well.
4. Work the remaining paint out of the cover with your hands in the bucket, then rinse the cover thoroughly in warm water until it runs clear.
5. Shake out as much water as you can, then stand the cover upright on a drop cloth or paper to dry. Never lay it flat — the nap flattens where it rests.
6. Once fully dry, wrap the cover in plastic wrap or a plastic bag until the next job.

The paint tray washes with warm soapy water and a rag — or skip that cleanup entirely with a disposable tray liner.