Fill an old glass jar with white spirit and put the brush in, pressing it against the sides to work the liquid into the brush. Leave to soak for a couple of hours. Refresh the jar if necessary and work the brush around again (use a fresh jar of white spirit if needed) until the brush is clean.
Pour a small amount of solvent-based cleaner (this can be found at your local hardware store) into a small jar or container and work the brush against the sides to get the cleaner into the base of the bristles. Soak for about 2 hours, dry with a clean cloth and store in a dry place for future use.
Many people wash their paintbrushes in the sink with running water or clean them outside with a hose. These practices not only increase your water bill but can damage your septic system and pollute the groundwater supply.
Soft Nylon & Polyester—Use this type of bristle for all paints, especially semi-gloss and satin finishes. They provide extra flex for smooth application, leave few brush marks, and have an excellent paint capacity.
All you'll need to clean your brushes is some warm water or mild dish soap. Clean the brush with the appropriate solvent for the type of paint you've been using. If you used oil-based paint, you'll be cleaning your brushes with mineral spirits or turpentine.
You might be surprised, but Dawn dish soap is actually the BEST for removing oil paint from your brushes. Pour a quarter size amount of soap in your palm, take your dirty brush and scrub into the soap in circular motions. Press and scrub really hard. Rinse your brush, and repeat until the soap suds are clear.
Satin paint has some sheen to it, and is an excellent choice for hardworking rooms, like kitchens and bathrooms. It stands up exceptionally well to scrubbing and regular cleaning. However, its glossiness highlights wall imperfections like cracks, divots or poorly patched areas.
For flat, eggshell, and satin finishes, knit roller covers do the job more efficiently. For consistent control and smooth finish, we recommend microfiber roller covers. 1/4″ – Use for ultra-smooth surfaces like cabinets, doors & metal. 3/8″ – Use for smooth surfaces like walls & ceilings.
At the end of your painting session
Give your brushes a rigorous clean with mild soap and cold water, one at a time. Cold water is key here because warm or hot water will actually help the paint set. Rinse until the water runs clear. Next, take a moisturising bar of soap and stroke the wet bristles across the top.
The paint will settle to the bottom of the container. Pour the water out inside the bathroom drain or set it all aside for cleaning after the next paint project. Once the paint at the bottom of the bucket dries completely, it can be thrown away in the trash as household waste.
Paint solids from dirty paint rinse water over time will clog up your plumbing, damaging drains and piping. Making sure to dispose of your dirty paint water properly will save you time and money. Pouring dirty paint rinse water down your drains can cause build-up and plumbing issues.
Satin paint is less likely to show brush strokes on walls than other finishes. Satin also doesn't show roller marks if the wall is painted at once. And since it's less shiny, it's better at hiding imperfections than gloss and semi-gloss paint.
Satin paint is very durable, making it great for high-traffic areas. It can easily be cleaned, though it can lose its sheen if scrubbed too roughly. It is advised that you clean it with a wipe and avoid abrasive scrubs.
Pros: A satin finish reflects more light than matte and stands up well to washing. Use in high-traffic areas such as bathrooms, the kitchen and a kid's room as well as on trim and molding throughout the house. Cons: This finish does not hide imperfections in surface or application; any touch-ups will stand out.
Satin. Satin finish paint has a smooth, velvety look with a bit more gloss than eggshell. It is most often used for windows, doors, trim, or ceilings, but it can also be used as wall paint. This is particularly suitable for kids' rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas that get a lot of traffic.
The big difference between these two paints is the finish. Satin has a little sheen while matte is more flat. Satin is also more durable and easier to clean though it is trickier to apply and touch up if any marks do appear over time. Matte paint gives better coverage than satin and it's more cost-effective too.
Often confused with other finishes, the difference between eggshell and satin paint is that satin delivers a higher gloss, while offering better stain resistance and durability than lower sheens, including eggshell. Satin paint is ideal for areas that crave definition.
Flat paint would also work well in a space such as a spare bedroom or home office, where there will be less chance of the walls needing regular scrubbing, which damages the surface. On the other hand, high-traffic areas like kitchens or children's rooms need the more durable surface provided by satin paint.
While working with water-based paint, you should plan to clean your paintbrushes every two hours and at the end of your project.