It's best to clean up your painting equipment as soon as you are finished with it. The following is a good general procedure to use:

To clean brushes used with oil paints:

• Work the appropriate paint solvent into the bristles.
• Squeeze out as much paint and solvent as possible.
• Repeat this procedure until all the paint disappears.
• Give the brushes a final rinse in clear solvent and wash them in soapy water, rinse, then allow to dry.
• To preserve the shape of a brush, carefully wrap it in heavy paper.

To clean brushes used with water-based paints, follow the same procedure, but substitute soapy water for the solvent.

To clean rollers used for oil paints:

• Remove the roller from the handle and submerge it in paint solvent.
• When most of the paint has been worked out, wash it in a mild detergent solution, rinse in clear water, and hang up to dry.
• Use solvent to remove any paint from the handle.
• To clean rollers used with water-based paints, substitute soapy water for solvent.

Use the correct solvent to clean up equipment. Check the can label.

• Use mineral spirits for alkyd enamels.
• Acetone for epoxy paints.
• Lacquer thinner for lacquer.
• Water for latex paints.
• Mineral spirits or turpentine for oil paints.
• Alcohol for shellac.
• Mineral spirits for varnish.

Also, use all appropriate fire, ventilation, and safety precautions. Most solvents except water are flammable, poisonous, irritating to the skin, and produce hazardous fumes.

…Aditi Kumar