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We are living in a society that has developed a huge throw-away culture, and we are all to blame for this. Factors like easy accessibility and cheaper products make it very easy to fall into the trap of using an item once and discarding it.
It seems that the smaller the item, the more likely we are to dispose of it but surely, in this day and age, we should be looking at ways of becoming more sustainable and, therefore, more socially aware.
Actors, rock stars and teenage activists are encouraging us to replenish and recycle, and the message is eventually hitting home and no more so now that we are facing a worldwide financial crisis. But can we really make a difference?
The simple answer is yes, we can and never more so than at home in our daily lives. I have worked in the building industry for over 30 years, and I can honestly say I have tools that date back to my first day on a building site.
In fact, I have paint brushes that were given to me by my father, which are at least 25 years old, and they are still my favourite ones to use to this day.
Is it worth it?
Whilst the rise in availability of raw materials coupled with the low cost of production has brought items like paint brushes drastically down in price, it is still much more cost-effective to use them more than once.
Even if you only get the do-it-yourself bug every few years, you will save money on using your existing tools, and the only way to make them last is good maintenance.
My first piece of advice will always be to buy good-quality tools, which is very true when it comes to paintbrushes. Avoid the very cheapest ones, as the bristles will have a tendency to fall out, and nobody wants those stuck to their walls once the paint has dried. You are looking for tightly packed bristles that spring back quickly when pushed in either direction.
Paint brushes with synthetic bristles made from nylon, or nylon and polyester, are best for water-based latex paints. That is because natural-bristle paint brushes will soak up too much water and go limp. Use natural-bristle or blended (natural and synthetic) brushes for oil-based paint and finishes.
Which Tools Do you Need?
Once you have chosen your paint brush or, in most cases, brushes, I would advise that you buy a brush cleaning comb such as Purdy Contractor BRUSH AND ROLLER CLEANER Yellow : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools.
However, many hardware stores will have them in their tool section, which will be invaluable at the cleaning stage. A bottle of white spirit or paint thinners will also be essential if you use oil or solvent-based paint.
Top Tip: A container such as a small bucket , large plastic drink bottle (with the top cut off) or old saucepan is great for storing paint brushes during the cleaning and drying process.
Washing paint brushes in the sink only works for water-based paints
How To Clean Paintbrushes
Step 1: Removing The Paint (Water-Based)
This has to be done straight after you have finished using the paintbrushes, as the longer you leave it, the harder it will be to remove.
For this, I recommend using the deepest sink in the house or even the bathtub, as it can get a little messy. I like to use running, warm water for this, but cold will also be effective.
It is essential that the water, whether warm or cold, is running from a tap as it will be easier to remove most of the paint initially. Start by squeezing the water out by hand going from the ferrule or metal strap to the end of the bristles, getting as much out as possible.
Then you can really get into the centre of the bristles using the paint removal comb in a way that you would brush tangles from your hair, as this gets right into those hard-to-reach places whilst maintaining the strength of the bristles. Once you see the water run clear, you know you got it just right.
Top Tip: Never use a wire brush, as that can seriously damage the bristles.
Step 2: Drying Your Paintbrushes
Once you have removed the paint, give the paintbrush a vigorous shake to remove any excess water. I might suggest you do this outdoors, and once again, this can be slightly messy.
This also frees any remaining paint you may have missed whilst cleaning. Leave to dry naturally and not on radiators, which will cause the bristles to become misshapen.
Top Tip: Retain the packaging the paintbrush can in to wrap it once dried, as this helps keep the shape of the bristles for next time.
Step 3: Removing The Paint (oil based)
As the oil-based paint is going to be harder to remove from not just the paint brush but any surface that it comes into contact with, I would advise covering the surrounding area with a bin bag and then placing on top of that a couple of layers of kitchen paper or old newspaper for the drying stage and to avoid any enforced cleaning.
Again, we will use the brush cleaning comb, but this time you will be scraping as much of the paint back into the paint can as possible as not only is this cleaning the brush but saving you money at the same time.
Get one of the containers mentioned earlier and half fill it with white spirit or paint thinners, then place the paint brush into it, ensuring that the solution covers the bristles and gently swish the paintbrush around, being careful not to spill any.
Do this for two minutes, and then remove the paint brush to the area with the bin bag and paper to gently blot the brush onto. Repeat this process until the brush has no more paint left in its bristles.
I use the cleaning comb every time I dip the brushes back into the white spirit to speed the procedure up.
If you are happy that the paint is no longer on the bristles, shake off any excess fluid in the sink or bathtub and leave the brush to dry naturally in the open air. This is essential as the paint thinner will naturally evaporate and be ready for use again.
How Long Will My Paintbrushes Last?
They will last as long as you need them if you look after them properly and you will not just have saved money but the environment too.
Top Tip: If you are using your brushes on multiple days and want to avoid cleaning them every day, you can simply wrap the bristles in cling film or an airtight plastic bag overnight. Remember to separate the water-based and oil-based brushes, though.
