Life Hack: 5 Paint Tool Storage and Care Tips
Get our best tricks to caring for and organizing your paint brushes.
Once you've completed a painting the project, you have one final step to ensure your next project goes smoothly—cleaning and storing the paint brushes. Here are our best tips for keeping your brushes clean and ready for the next project.
Tip 1: Enlist a Magnetic Strip
Ensure your brushes stay straight and allow water to properly drain from the bristles by hanging them upside down on a magnetic knife strip. Keep this strip inside a dust-free cabinet. Purdy® recommends keeping brushes in their keepers. To use this trick, you'll have to adhere a small magnet to the back of your keeper.
If your brush does get bent, there's a fix to get it back in working order. Check out our easy instructions to Straighten Out a Bent Brush »
Photo: Purdy®
Tip 2: Use a Brush Comb
Though you may think you've cleaned your paint brush thoroughly, there's likely paint hidden deep inside, in between the bristles. To get every ounce of paint out of your brush, you'll want to pick up a brush comb . Comb through the bristles while running the brush under water will produce the cleanest brush possible.
If there's still paint on the outside of the brush, use a scrubbing sponge to remove it. Don't use a wire brush, as it will damage the bristles and shorten the life of the brush.
For a job that requires both rollers and brushes, pick up this handy, two-in-one cleaning tool: a brush and roller cleaner.
Tip! If you are using latex paint, clean brushes immediately after use with mild bar soap or dishwashing detergent.
Tip 3: Spin the Brush to Dry it
Over the sink, place the brush in between your hands and rub together (as if you're trying to start a fire with a stick). The brush should begin spinning, allowing the water to drain off.
Tip 4: Wrap in Paper
Purdy® paint brushes come with a sleeve (also called a keeper), which you should always save and put back on the brush for proper storage. The sleeve helps the brush maintain its shape. If the sleeve is thrown away, wrap the brush in glossy magazine paper to help preserve it.
Tip 5: String Up Roller Brushes
If your project required the use of a paint roller, you'll want to clean and dry them properly. A brush and roller spinner from Purdy® cleans brushes and rollers quickly and thoroughly to prolong the life of your painting tools.
Photo:Purdy®
We suggest stringing roller covers on rope or dowels to aid in the drying process. Be sure not to stand the paint roller on its end or lay it on its nap (another word for the thick cover material of the roller).
Tip! For oil- and water-based paints, you'll want to follow the manufacturer instructions and select the proper cleaning solvent. Don't soak brushes in the solvent, instead dip the brush into the solvent and work through the bristles.
Article Sponsored By: Purdy
