Who said DIY painting had to end in wonky lines, colourful chaos, and speckled sinks in robin’s egg blue? Painting should be fun—not frantic! Here are 10 nifty painting hacks to make your DIY painting quicker, cleaner, and downright enjoyable.
1. Keep Brushes Soft with Fabric Softener
Wash your brushes thoroughly (no soap!). Mix a dash of fabric softener into 4 litres of warm water, swish your brushes around for about 10 seconds, then lay them flat or hang them up overnight. Bonus: Soft brushes distribute paint more smoothly. Brilliant!
2. Plastic Wrap is Your Friend
Pause painting for tea breaks without worry! Wrap brushes tightly in cling film and pop them in the fridge—they’ll stay fresh until you’re ready to paint again. Bonus hack: Use cling wrap to cover tricky fixtures and peel off later for a spotless finish.
3. Tackle Those Fumes Naturally
Beat paint odours before they begin. Vanilla or peppermint extract on cotton balls dotted around the room works wonders. Or sprinkle baking soda in shallow bowls or on carpets overnight, vacuuming the next day. Coffee lovers, rejoice—dry grounds soak up smells too. And for a refreshing twist, slices of lemon in water overnight banish fumes with citrusy freshness.
4. Recycle Old T-Shirts into Rags
Stop wasting rolls of paper towels! Dig out that old, faded tee lurking in your drawer—perfect for wiping up paint drips. Pro tip: Hang a rag from your pocket to catch drips from your roller or brush, keeping your painting attire stylishly splatter-free.
5. Cotton Buds: Small But Mighty
Those pesky little splashes won’t stand a chance if you keep cotton buds handy. Quickly fix mistakes on skirtings, frames, or even touch up tiny wall imperfections without getting your brush dirty again.
6. Vaseline to the Rescue!
A little Vaseline can save your sanity! Dab screws, hinges, or small bits you don’t want painted with petroleum jelly—paint slips right off any accidental marks with ease. Say goodbye to frantic scrubbing!
7. Rubber Bands to Reduce Drips
Stretch a rubber band vertically across your open paint tin to wipe excess paint from your brush. Less mess, more painting—and no paint dripping down the tin sides!
8. Aluminium Foil or Plastic Bag for Easy Cleanup
Line your paint tray with aluminium foil or put the tray into a plastic bag before you start painting. Pour your paint onto the foil or plastic. Once done, simply remove the foil or plastic bag for a sparkling clean tray without washing. You’re welcome!
9. Use Ice Cube Trays for Small Touch-ups
No more lugging huge tins around! Pour small amounts of paint into ice cube trays for quick, easy touch-ups. Cover with plastic wrap when taking breaks to prevent drying.
10. Hair Dryer for Faster Drying
In a huge hurry? Speed things up by gently blowing wet paint with a hairdryer on a low heat. You’ll finish quicker, and your walls will thank you for the swift makeover!
Now go forth and paint—with fewer disasters and far more fun!
