One of the best tools for most painting projects is apaint roller.

Lots of DIYers take the lazy way out and simply toss the paint roller when the job is done.

The steps for cleaning a paint roller are simple if you follow the guidelines fordifferent types of paint.

Black painting tray with white paint, roller and putty knife on top

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Clean-up is much easier and more successful when the paint is wet.

Don’t forget to clean the roller frame and paint tray, as well.

Slip the paint tray into a separate bag and tie it shut as well.

Materials and tools to clean paint from paint rollers

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

This will prevent the paint from drying until you could get back to work.

Use a putty knife to gently scrape excess paint back into the paint can.

It is much easier to clean the frame while the paint on it is wet.

Excess water-based paint removed form paint roller with putty knife over bucket

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Place some warm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid in a bucket.

Use an old rag or a stiff-bristled brush to remove the paint from the roller frame and handle.

Set it aside to air-dry.

Soft-bristled brush cleaning roller frame over bucket

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Use your hands to massage the paint out of the roller fibers, making sure you clean every surface.

This may take several minutes.

Shake off the excess water.

Paint roller being washed above bucket of warm water and dishwashing liquid while wearing gloves

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Dry the Roller

Never place the roller on its side to drythis will flatten the fibers.

Place it upright on its end or slip it over a pants hanger to dry.

Clean the Paint Tray

Rinse the paint tray out in a bucket of soapy water.

Roller dunked in separate bucket of clean water for rinsing

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Use a stiff-bristled brush to remove any dried paint along the edges.

This method can have varying results.

Use a container as small as possible to reduce the amount of solvent needed.

Roller placed upright for drying next to bucket and roller frame

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Wearing rubber gloves, use your hands to work the solvent through the fibers of the paint roller.

This will take five to 10 minutes.

Pour the soiled mineral spirits into a disposable container.

Black paint tray being cleaned with stiff-bristled brush, water and dish soap

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Wipe out the bucket with an old rag.

Refill the bucket with enough fresh mineral spirits to rinse the roller.

Once the roller is rinsed, gently squeeze to remove excess solvent.

Cleaning water from bucket poured down sewer drain

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Fill a bucket with warm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid.

Give the paint roller a final cleaning in the soapy water.

Rinse well in fresh water and gently squeeze out the excess moisture.

Black paint tray being cleaned from oil-based paint with stiff-bristled brush, water and mineral spirits

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Set the roller on its end or hang to air dry.

Pour the last batch of mineral spirits into the disposable container.

Always follow the guidelines of your municipality for disposing of the container.

Paint roller with oil-based paint cleaned in bucket with mineral spirits and gloves

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald