DIY Network

Cleaning Up Cleaning Up From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-110

	Figure A
	Figure B

Now that we've prepped, primed and painted, we're ready to clean up the painting equipment.

• Rollers and brushes: If you need to continue the project the next day, brush off excess paint onto newspaper, then wrap the brushes and rollers in plastic wrap. Place in a plastic bag and leave in the freezer until the next day (figure A).

• Paint cans: To make it easy to open the next time it's used and to prevent rust from forming on the can rim, put a layer of petroleum jelly around the rim of the can (figure B). Put the top on and tap firmly in place. Turn upside down to store, preventing paint scum from forming on top.
  
  

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  	Figure C
  	Figure D

  
  
• Paint splatters: Remove from glass with coarse pencil erasers, the school variety that you add to the end of pencils (figure C). Remove larger splatters with Lava soap. Wet the bar and work it into the paint. The pumice is a mild abrasive that removes the splatter and is much safer than using a razor blade.

• Latex paint: Wash the tools and your hands with hot soapy water, then rinse. For quick clean-ups while painting, use baby wipes.

• Oil-based paint: Remove paint splatters on skin with cooking oil (figure D). Clean brushes with mineral spirits, rinse thoroughly and allow the brushes and rollers to air-dry.