How Long Will A Paint Roller Last Before It Needs Replacing?

If you need to do some painting around your home but you don't want to risk having a painting company take advantage of you financially, choosing to do the work yourself can save some money.  And if you're painting your stairwell on a budget or doing the same in another room, saving money on supplies is an important step. It costs about $6 for a 9-inch roller cover with a ⅜-inch nap at Lowe's, but being able to reuse them saves money in the long run. Typically, you can use a paint roller cover up to five times, as long as you clean it properly. Ultimately, you could save close to $50 per year by reusing roller covers versus buying new ones if you paint around once a month.

You can tell that the roller cover is beginning to wear out when it is holding quite a bit of paint when you are trying to clean it. Additionally, the nap on the cover may begin to lay flat, fray, or shed, negatively affecting its ability to apply paint evenly to the wall. Cleaning the cover after each use and replacing it as necessary will help you have a better chance of painting your home like a professional.

As far as the roller frame, you can continue to use it indefinitely, as long as you don't allow paint to harden inside it. Dried paint makes it difficult to slide the covers onto the frame the next time you're using it. 

To properly clean the roller cover, put on some rubber gloves and use a putty knife to carefully scrape the roller over the paint can to catch the drops. Pull the cover off the frame of the roller. Place the cover in a bucket of warm water with just a few drops of liquid dish detergent and clean the paint out while wearing gloves. Next, squeeze the excess water and paint out of the roller cover inside the bucket for about five minutes. Allow it to stand on end for up to 90 minutes to dry.

If you plan to begin painting again the next day with the same color for a second coat, you don't necessarily have to thoroughly clean the paint roller cover. Instead, you can scrape out the excess paint. Next, place plastic wrap or a plastic bag directly around the cover, sealing it tightly. As long as you can keep the nap moist, it should be ready to go again the next day. To further lengthen its ability to remain moist, store it in the refrigerator.

You also should clean the roller frame immediately, as it's easier to remove any paint while it's wet. Place the frame in warm water with a few drops of dish soap. Wipe away wet paint first with a paper towel or a brush comb, and then use a firm-bristled brush to clean dried-on areas.