When working on a home improvement project, costs can add up quickly. One easy way to save money is to reuse paint rollers, rather than use new ones each time you paint. While the roller clean up may be a bit messy, it's a cost-savings process that pays off and helps the environment, too. Use these steps to help you to recycle and reuse paint rollers.

Steps

  1. 1
    Roll the excess paint from your roller onto a disposable surface. As you finish up for the day or complete your project, use up as much paint on your roller as possible. The less paint on your roller, the easier the clean-up process will be. Roll excess paint from your roller onto newspapers, cardboard or any other disposable surface.
  2. 2
    Remove paint from roller. Latex paint and oil-based paints require different methods of cleaning the rollers.[1]
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  3. 3
    Hang the roller to dry.[5] Cut off the side of an ordinary clothes hanger. Attach the roller to the bottom part of the hanger to dry. Drying the roller this way helps to save the nap, which keeps it fluffy for the next time you wish to use the roller. A roller with smashed nap may paint unevenly.
  4. 4
    Store the dried roller in a sealable plastic bag. Insert the roller into a large, food storage bag and seal it.[6] If you don't have a food storage bag large enough to fit the roller, use a plastic grocery sack and tie it closed. By sealing or tying the bag closed, you keep the roller clean and dust-free for future use.
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Expert Q&A
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  • Question
    Can I wash paint rollers in the sink?
    Jeff Baldwin
    Jeff Baldwin
    Residential Painter
    Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing.
    Jeff Baldwin
    Residential Painter
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    You can, but try to scrape off as much paint as you can before washing it so it's easier to clean.
  • Question
    After the roller is cleaned, does it need to be completely dry before using it again?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, or the paint will run down your wall surface. It needs to be completely dried before reuse.
  • Question
    How do I remove the nap? It appears to be stuck permanently.
    Techdocgeek
    Techdocgeek
    Community Answer
    You can try to soak it in water or paint thinner a while, then try to remove it.
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Things You'll Need

  • Bucket
  • Soap
  • Warm water
  • Clothes hanger
  • Paint thinner
  • Plastic bag or grocery sack
  • Gloves
  • two plastic water bottles for the method numbered 1 .

About This Article

Jeff Baldwin
Co-authored by:
Residential Painter
This article was co-authored by Jeff Baldwin. Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing. This article has been viewed 204,630 times.
2 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 11
Updated: August 10, 2021
Views: 204,630
Categories: Paints
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