How You Can Reuse Plastic Bags To Never Deal With A Dried Out Paintbrush Again

The last thing anyone wants to do after a long day of painting is spend time rinsing out each brush. It's a process that's not only time-consuming but can leave you in a situation where your brush is still wet when you go to finish your project the next day. While wetting your brush in clean water can be a convenient way to get rid of brush strokes when painting the walls, it's only applicable when using water-based paints. Instead of having to worry about whether your tools will be ready to tackle part two of your painting project, try using a plastic bag to prevent your paintbrushes from drying out. You'll be able to reuse them again and again without having to worry about removing dried paint from the bristles.

However, it's important to note that this hack should only be used during an active painting project. Paintbrushes being prepped for long-term storage need different attention before being placed away until your next DIY adventure. This type of maintenance includes cleaning the brush thoroughly of any paint by washing and scraping, if necessary. Let it dry completely before storing it in the original packaging or a newspaper wrapped around the bristles and handle. Following these steps will help your brushes stay in top condition between projects.

The process behind this hack is simple and only requires a plastic bag and some tape. Once you've finished painting for the day, slide the paintbrush, paint and all, into a clean, dry plastic bag. You'll want to make sure to wrap the excess bag tightly around the handle to minimize any airflow, which can dry the bristles out. Some people choose to lay their brush flat on the bag before wrapping it tightly in a fashion similar to wrapping a burrito. If you don't have a plastic bag on hand, you can use a disposable glove as a suitable replacement. 

Whichever method you choose, do one final check after wrapping to make sure there aren't any holes, then finish off with some tape wrapped around the neck of the paintbrush to lock in your seal. If wrapped properly, this should keep your paintbrush ready to use for up to two days. When you're ready to paint again, simply unwrap the tape and carefully remove the brush from the bag. You'll be able to pick right back up without having to clean the brush or worry about it affecting the look of the final product.