No matter how careful you are when painting, you still need to put down a good drop cloth before getting started, and clean your brushes and rollers thoroughly once you’re through. Here’s how to go about it.

Types of drop cloths:

• Canvas Drop Cloth: While expensive, canvas drop cloths work the best, since they absorb any spilled paint to prevent tracking all over the house.
• Plastic Drop Cloth: This inexpensive drop cloth comes in various thicknesses. Thinner plastic drop cloths are easy to tear. Plastic also tends to slip and slide on a smooth floor, which can result in falls.
• Vinyl Tablecloth: An old vinyl tablecloth makes a good drop cloth, since the felt backing absorbs spill, and it’s less expensive than a canvas drop cloth.

How to clean paintbrushes and rollers:

• Remove any excess paint from rollers before cleaning them with the curved edge of a 5-in-1 painter’s tool.
• Clean brushes and rollers in the appropriate solvent (mineral spirits for oil-based paint, soap and water for latex paint).
• Run a wire brush or special brush comb through the bristles to loosen and remove any dried paint.
• Lay bushes out on a flat surface and allow them to dry before storing.
• Store brushes in the cardboard cover they came in, or wrap them in paper.

Further Information

• Paintbrush Tips (video)
• How to Choose a Paintbrush (video)
• How to Paint a Room Like a Pro (video/article)
• How to Paint or Stain Almost Anything (article)
• Interior and Exterior House Painting Tips (video/article)

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