13 Simple Paint Hacks That Make Painting Your Home So Much Easier

Don't Wash Your Brush Every Time You Take A Break

Sometimes you don't want to stop painting—but you need to. Maybe it's lunchtime. Maybe you've been painting for a couple of hours and need a break. Or perhaps you simply need to step away before finishing the room. The problem is that leaving a paint-covered brush or roller sitting in the open means the paint can start drying. Then you return from your break and discover that your perfectly usable brush has started turning stiff and crusty.

Instead of completely cleaning your tools every time you take a short break, try sealing them inside a plastic bag. Place the paint-covered brush or roller inside the bag and seal it as tightly as possible, keeping air away from the wet paint. For a relatively short break, this can slow the drying process and help keep the tool ready to use when you return. It's especially useful when you know you'll be back to painting within an hour or two.

When you're ready to continue, simply take the tool out and get back to work. You still need to properly clean your brushes and rollers when you're finished for the day, but this trick can save you from repeatedly washing everything every time you need to step away.