• Cleaning Oil Paint Brushes With Paint Thinner

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

• Following the instructions on the can, use a small amount of paint thinner in a bucket, work the paint thinner through the brush and/or the roller. When the brush and roller is clean, shake off the excess paint thinner and wrap the brush in the waxpaper (or aluminum foil). Take the roller off roller frame and place it inside a plastic bag.
• Cleaning your paintbrushes can be a real chore. I have more than a few that have become a petrified brick after forgetting to rinse them out. But good brushes are expensive, so learning how to clean paint brushes properly will save you both money and heartache!
• Prepare for Cleaning. Take your brushes and rollers outside. The paint thinner is toxic, and you will need good ventilation to avoid inhaling fumes. Place the rollers in the pan and the paintbrushes in the bucket in an area that will not be bothered by children or pets. You will then add paint thinner to the bucket and pan.
• Pour the used paint thinner into a glass container (marked with the type of paint thinner and the date), seal it, and let any paint left behind from cleaning paintbrushes and rollers settle to the.

Just take a glass jar and fill it halfway with the paint thinner. Put your brush on it and wait for 15mins. Then shake the brush to let all the remaining paint dissolve in water. Take it out and put it on a sheet to dry.

Why Can’t I Do This?

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.

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.

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?

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.

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 Oil Paint Brushes With Paint Thinner