But, with a little effort and the right techniques, you can keep your brushes in top shape for a long time, and do what you can to protect the environment.

1. Remove as Much Paint as Possible from the Brush

 As you finish painting, get as much paint as possible onto the surface you are painting. Rub the brush across the lip of the paint can or tray to get rid of any remaining paint.

2. Oil-Based Paints Require a Thinner

Ask at your hardware or paint store for less toxic thinners that use more eco-friendly ingredients like citrus-based solvents.

3. Use Water to Remove Latex Paint

But don’t use only water. Add a little dish soap to a bucket of water. Don’t just run the tap water over the brush because that wastes a huge amount of water. Fill the bucket with water and soap and clean the brush in the mixture.

4. Comb the Brush

Use a paint brush comb to remove paint between all the bristles while the brush is still in the water.

5. Rinse and Dry

Rinse the brush with clean water in another bucket or container. Shake, tap and/or towel the brush to get rid of as much moisture from the bristles as possible. Hang the brush from a hook to let it finish drying.

Perhaps the Most Important Tip

You don’t have to clean brushes every time you stop painting. If you plan to continue using the brush later with the same paint, you can warp the brush in plastic for up to a day. If you want to store the brush without cleaning for longer, wrap it in plastic and keep it in a freezer for up to two weeks.

The post 5 Eco-Friendly Tips to Keep Paint Brushes Clean appeared first on The Paint People.

Not only will your home be better protected by a new coat of paint, it will look great too, which adds to its curb appeal when it comes time to sell.

5 Tips for Exterior Painting

Here are a few ways to make sure you get the best results from painting the outside of your home:

1. Safety First

You’ll probably need to get up on a ladder at some point during the project, so remember to do so safely. Make sure the ladder leans well into the wall and tie it off whenever possible. Even when it is tied, don’t lean too far to one side or another when working on the ladder.

2. Surface Preparation

As with any paint project, the better the surface preparation, the better the final finish. You’ll need to scrape, brush and/or power-wash all surfaces to get rid of dirt, chalky residue and grime. You can paint over old paint surfaces as long as they are properly adhered to the surface below. Fill in any holes with exterior-grade putty and sand it after curing to make sure all surfaces are level.

3. Use the Best materials Possible

Exterior paint is subject to wide ranging temperatures and weather, so its pays to buy quality paint. Exterior surfaces can be rougher on brushes and rollers too.

4. Paint From the Top Down

Look for the highest point on your home that needs painting. That’s where to start – and then work your way down.

5. Choose the Right Times

Direct sunlight, wind and cooler temperatures are the enemy of a good exterior paint job. The sunlight will dry the paint too quickly, which will make it difficult or impossible for you to apply it evenly. Wind carries dust and debris that sticks to wet paint. And many paints don’t work well in temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius.

Bonus Tip: Talk to the people at your local paint store. They’ve done it before and they will be able to offer more valuable painting tips and information that may be particular to your neighbourhood and location.

The post How to Paint Your Home’s Exterior Like a Pro appeared first on The Paint People.