Cleaning your paint equipment
Below are some suggestions to clean your brushes and rollers after painting without polluting the environment. Use two containers, the first to wash and the other to rinse your brushes, roller sleeves and other equipment. By rotating the containers, the solids in the paint are separated from the liquid, making it easier to dispose of each component. This method works well for both water-based and solvent-based paints.
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- After painting, wipe or squeeze excess paint onto an absorbent material such as old rags, shredded newspapers or cardboard boxes.
- Allow to dry and dispose of the absorbent material with household waste.
- Wash brushes, rollers and other equipment with water using the first container.
- Transfer the washed equipment to a second container filled with clean water for a final rinse.
- Place lids on the containers or cover in some other secure manner and allow to stand overnight. The paint solids in the first container will then have settled down to the bottom of the container and the clear water may be poured onto the garden or any grassed or open area away from streams, rivers or lakes, where it can be absorbed into the ground.
- Scrape out the paint solids at the bottom of the first container onto absorbent material. Allow to dry, then place in a plastic bag and dispose of with the household rubbish or using authorised disposal routes and sites.
- The second container can now be used as the first wash.
- Use this rotation system until the job is completed.
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Follow the same procedures as for water-based paints but with the following exceptions:
- Use Test Benzine or any other recommended paint solvent.
- Allow the first container to stand at least 24 hours to enable the paint solids to settle.
- Do not pour the clear solvent onto the ground – use it to top up the second container or decant and keep for future use.
- Use the least possible amount of solvent.
Note:
Never allow waste water or chemical solvents from washed paint equipment to enter drains or waterways.
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- Keep a container of 'dirty’ solvent on hand for cleaning purposes. You will be able to reuse the solvent time and time again if kept in the original container and in a safe place. Do not shake it up as this will disturb the paint solids, which will have settled to the bottom of the container.
- If paint is accidentally spilt, clean as much as you can with a cloth or newspaper, then wash down with solvent. You will thus save solvent and reduce the cleaning work.
- Use a plastic pail with a tight-fitting lid for short term storage and transport of brushes and roller sleeves. Fill this pail about half way with water so that brushes, etc. are covered. This will save you from having to clean brushes and rollers whenever work is interrupted.
- Wrapping a paint brush in cling wrap will prevent the paint from drying on the brush for approximately an hour while you take a break. Similarly put your roller into a plastic bag and tape it around the handle.
