Blogresponse610

• How Do You Clean Water Based Paint Brushes
• Cleaning Paint Brushes Latex
• Cleaning Water Based Paint Off Brushes
• Professional Paint Brushes

It’s a joy to live in the country, isn’t it? Um, except when you’ve just completed a painting project and it’s time for clean up.

Because the delicate balance of biological elements in your septic tank can be severely upset by paint, cleaning your brushes, rollers and even your hands in the sink is a no-no

Why Can’t I Do This?

1. The turpentine-cleaning method works best for brushes used with oil-based, acrylic, latex and enamel paints. Most water-based paints clean easily with warm water and soap. For stuck-on paint of all types, a soak in turpentine might just do the trick.
2. Remove as much paint as your can from your paint brush by brushing it along an old rag or paper towel. You want as little paint as possible still on your brush for a faster cleaning in the solvent. Pour 1/8 Cup of Fabric Softener and 4 Cups of warm water into your bowl or bucket.
3. Wash the brush with dish soap. First, squirt some liquid soap into one palm. Hold the brush by your other hand. Dip the bristles into the soap and brush them back and forth across your palm.

How Do You Clean Water Based Paint Brushes

A mixture of warm water and mild soap suds is the best cleaning solution for water-based paints. Prepare soapy water and pour into a clean container. Dip the paint brush into the mixture, working the soap through the brush bristles. Follow with a clear water rinse. You can prevent this, or slow the hardening of the paint, by wetting the brush with water before using it. Use water when applying latex or water-based paint. If you are painting with oil-based paint, dip the brush in paint thinner before getting paint on the brush.

Both latex- and oil-based paints have chemicals in them that won’t break down in your septic tank. Those chemicals will also “stress or destroy the biological treatment taking place” in your tank, according to the EPA.

What Could Happen?

Surface and ground water could become contaminated. Not good. Your septic tank could get seriously damaged and need replacement. Also not good.

What Should I Do Instead?

Sometimes it’s a toss up. If you use disposable paintbrushes and rollers, you’re adding to the landfill. But reusable eco-friendly painting supplies need to be cleaned before being used again.

Maybe you could take that stuff to your mom (who lives in the city, of course) and have her give it a good cleaning.

Cleaning Paint Brushes Latex

Or not.

Probably the best, and greenest, method is to cut back on the amount of clean up required. Squeeze every last drop from your paintbrush and roller tray. Use disposable liners for that tray. Try to get paint on the walls, instead of all over yourself.

The less clean up you need to do, the less hassle it is.

You may even need to think twice before repainting. Does it truly need to be done? Make a decision that’s environmentally responsible and still satisfies your redecorating tastes.

Cleaning Water Based Paint Off Brushes

Professional Paint Brushes