Paint cleaning up

What do I clean up with?

To clean up:

For latex, use warm water.
For alkyd, use solvent or paint thinner.

How do I clean brushes?

Here is a thorough method, including a final couple of steps to use at the end of the project:

Soak the brush immediately, following the recommendations on the container (water for latex, and solvent or paint thinner for alkyd).
Remove excess water or solvent by holding the handle between the palms and spinning the brush in an empty paint container.
Wash in warm, soapy water.
Rinse in clean water.
Gently pull the bristles back into shape.
Hang the brush up to dry.
Reshape the brush by replacing it in its packaging.
Store the dry brush in a sealed plastic bag in a dry place.

How do I clean rollers?

Scrape excess paint out of the roller. Then essentially follow the steps for brushes. To remove excess water after washing, squeeze the roller with your hands. Alternatively, use a brush-and-roller spinner.

How do you recommend I store paint?

These suggestions are important not only to preserve the paint but also to avoid safety hazards:

Follow the instructions on labels.
Check that the containers are tightly sealed.
Store paint in containers that are almost full.
Don't store paint near sources of heat or ignition.
Don't store or reuse empty paint containers.

How do you recommend I dispose of paint?

To dispose of paint and solvents:

Preferably use up any extra paint. You could use it, for example, to touch up the topcoat.
If there is a fair amount of extra paint, you might donate it to a community group.
Reuse paint thinners, turpentine, mineral spirits, solvents, etc., that have been used for cleaning application tools. If you allow the used liquid to sit in a closed container, the paint particles will settle; you can then pour off and save the clear liquid. Add an absorbent such as cat litter to the residue, and dispose of it through a disposal program.
Call the local or provincial government for guidance about household hazardous waste disposal programs in your area. For additional guidance about disposal services, you might look up "Waste Disposal" in the yellow pages.