Painting is much easier when using a roller compared to brush. Furthermore, you can paint faster using a paint roller. However, both brush and roller are required to complete the painting. The brush is usually used to paint along the edges and moldings to acquire a straight line. A roller, on the other hand, is used to paint the rest of the room.  

When you are painting a room for the first time, it can be quite expensive. You will be required to purchase all tools and equipment used for painting. Starting from the paint of your favorite color, prime, painters’ tape, a new brush, a new roller, and any other tool or material you will require during painting. Therefore, after finishing your painting project, it will be good if you clean up the tools. Saving not only your money but also your time. 

Many people find it difficult cleaning up a painting tool. In this article, you will learn on how to clean a roller cover. Do not dispose of your roller cover after use. You can follow this simple procedure on how to clean your roller cover and get it ready for the next painting project. 

TIP:  clean the roller cover immediately after use and do not allow it to dry, as it will require more time soaking it under water, which can damage the fibers of the roller cover. 

Step 1 

After painting, suspend the roller above the paint tray. Use a painter’s five in one tool or a rod that you used to mix the paint to get rid of excess paint. Slide the curved part of the painter’s five in one tool along the roller to get rid of the excess paint. The roller should be slanted so that the paint can flow smoothly back into the tray. 

TIP: Different types of paints require different techniques of cleaning. Before starting to clean, identify which type of paint you are using. 

Step 2 

If the painting was done using an oil-based paint, clean the roller using a paint solvent first. Pour a paint solvent halfway into the empty paint tray. Roll the roller repeatedly in the solvent. Make sure much of its remaining has dissolved in the water. Pour the solvent away and fill the tray again with another solvent, wash the roller again. Finally, you can clean it using hot water. 

When a latex paint is used, remove the roller cover halfway the frame. Wash it using hot water. Squeeze the fibers of the roller cover using your fingers to remove paint. After cleaning, press it gently to remove some water. 

TIP: roller cover surface should not be in contact with the hard surface when drying, crushing the fibers making it unable to paint when used again. 

Step 3 

After cleaning the roller cover using any method above, remove the lid from the roller frame. Suspend it from one end or stand it on one end to dry.  

TIP: if you are painting the whole house, which will cover some couples of days, do not clean your roller cover every day. Instead, cover it using a nylon paper and place it in a cool place.