Fresh paint is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to transform a room. Unfortunately, some people become frustrated during the home improvement process because painting can also be inherently messy. Here are three inexpensive tools that help keep the mess to a minimum.
Plastic Paint Spouts
There are lots of gadgets on the market that claim to make painting easier. While most of them aren't worth buying, plastic paint spouts are the exception. Costing only a few dollars, plastic paint spouts fit over the top of an open paint can and make it significantly easier to pour while preventing any paint from dribbling down the side of the can. Because they are reusable, this small investment will be appreciated every time you paint.
Smaller Rollers
Conventional 12-inch rollers may seem like a good choice for getting a wall done quickly, but in small spaces they can be a recipe for regret. Large rollers tend to splatter paint. They also tend to be unwieldy, making it easy to accidentally bump the ceiling or adjacent walls when things are tight. For greater control, opt for smaller 6-inch rollers. To further reduce mess, choose rollers made from high-quality fibers and change your roller whenever it starts to seem overly matted.
Baby Wipes
No matter how careful you are, spills happen. To take care of messes quickly, keep a package of baby wipes on hand. The little bit of moisture in the wipes will help remove the paint with less smearing than ordinary paper towels. Ceiling bumps can be especially frustrating since it can be hard to completely remove colored paint from the white matte finish used on most ceilings. Thankfully, using a baby wipe with a small amount of brush cleaner on it to gently wipe away the wet paint can usually take care of the problem.
Painting a room is an easy home improvement project with big impact. Use the three inexpensive tools described above to make the painting process less messy and more satisfying.