Short answer
Latex: scrape paint back into the can with a 5-in-1 tool, roll the rest out on paper, soak the cover in warm soapy water, work the paint out by hand, rinse until the water runs clear, spin it, and dry it standing on end. Between coats: skip cleaning, wrap it in plastic and refrigerate it. Oil-based: clean with the solvent on the can, or dispose of the cover.
Cleaning a latex paint roller
Scrape it out
Run the curved edge of a 5-in-1 tool or a putty knife down the cover to squeeze paint back into the tray or can, then roll the cover out on scrap paper or cardboard.
Soak in warm, soapy water
Benjamin Moore suggests hot water with a few drops of dish detergent. Soak the cover and the frame; use a wire brush on paint lodged in the frame.
Work the paint out by hand
With gloves on, squeeze and massage the fibers in the bucket until the cover stops clouding the water. Change the water as it gets milky.
Rinse until clear
Rinse the cover under warm running water until the water runs clear from the core.
Shake and spin
Shake out excess water, then put the cover back on the frame (or on a spinner) and spin it inside an empty bucket.
Dry on end
Stand the cover on one end to air-dry. Benjamin Moore warns against laying it on its side, which flattens the nap.
Store dry
Once completely dry, wrap it in plastic or a bag for next time. Storing it wet damages it.
These steps follow Benjamin Moore’s roller cleaning guide.
Between coats: do not clean it
If you are recoating within a day or two, wrap the loaded cover tightly in plastic wrap (or slip the whole roller into a bag) and put it in the refrigerator. Benjamin Moore says a roller can sit uncleaned for a few days this way; let it come back to room temperature before you paint. For a short lunch break, a wrapped roller left in the shade is fine.
Oil-based paint
Use the solvent named on the can, typically mineral spirits, in a small container, and scrape and work the cover the same way. Many painters treat oil-based covers as single-use instead. Benjamin Moore notes that some waterborne alkyd paints clean up with soap and water, so check the label before you reach for solvent.
Rinse water and disposal
- Keep paint and rinse water out of storm drains and yards. Clemson Cooperative Extension covers safe cleanup of painting equipment.
- Whether latex rinse water can go down a sink varies by area; ask your local water utility or household hazardous waste program.
- Let solids settle in a bucket, pour off the clearer water as your locality allows, and let the sludge dry for the trash.
- Dried latex covers can go in household trash, per Benjamin Moore. Oil and solvent waste goes to hazardous waste collection.
When to throw a cover away
Retire a cover that sheds, stays matted or stiff, or has paint debris you cannot rinse out. Benjamin Moore says quality covers should last up to five uses before shedding; that is the maker’s figure, and cheap covers tend to shed sooner. Replacements: the best roller covers by job.
Questions people ask
How do I store a paint roller overnight?
Wrap the loaded cover tightly in plastic wrap or a plastic bag and put it in the refrigerator. Benjamin Moore suggests this if you will paint again within a few days, and says to let it warm to room temperature before using it.
Can I pour paint rinse water down the drain?
Never pour it into a storm drain. Rules for sinks and sewers vary by area, so check with your local water utility or household hazardous waste program. Clemson Extension’s guidance is to keep paint water out of storm drains and waterways.
Is it worth cleaning an oil-based paint roller?
Often not. Benjamin Moore notes that for some people cleaning a roller after oil-based paint is not worth the cost of mineral spirits and the effort of proper disposal. Follow the paint’s technical data sheet if you do clean it.
How do I get the water out of a roller cover?
Shake it out, then spin it. Benjamin Moore suggests putting it back on the frame and spinning it; a roller spinner tool works faster. Spin inside a bucket to catch the spray.
How do I throw away a used roller cover?
Benjamin Moore says covers used with acrylic, latex or waterborne paint can go in household trash once the paint on them has dried. Covers with oil-based paint or solvent should follow your local hazardous waste rules.
Sources
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Specs and availability change; check the listing before you buy.