Skip The Paint Tray Liner: You Already Have A Better Alternative At Home

Painting is an easy way to give your home a new look, especially if you're on a budget. But this quick fix also leaves you with the inevitable brushes, rollers, and tray to clean at the end of the day. Fortunately, with this clever hack for DIY liners, you can skip cleaning your paint tray and minimize your to-do list. And all you need is a trash bag.

This is a simple DIY paint hack worth trying in your home. Just insert your metal or plastic paint tray into a trash bag. A 4-gallon bag, which is the size you would use for a bathroom can, will work for this project. Clear or white bags are best so they don't obscure the paint color. Make sure the bag is neatly tucked so you have a sturdy surface when you use a brush or roller. You can apply painter's tape to help secure it in place. Then, pour in the paint color of your choice and use the DIY tray as you normally would. The trash bag becomes a household essential that makes painting less messy and cleanup a breeze.

When you're finished for the day, pour out any excess paint by tilting the tray over the can, then reuse it when you start painting again. After you complete your project, remove the bag from the tray and carefully turn it inside out to avoid any spills (the last thing you'll want to deal with is removing paint from hardwood floors). Then, let the paint harden so you don't waste the bag and use it normally for your trash.

Trash bags can also come in handy for more than just the tray; you can use them as a paint roller or brush cover. Let any remaining paint drip from the roller and brush, then wrap a trash bag around them and tie the plastic around the tool's handle. To ensure an airtight seal, secure it with tape as well. This will trap moisture, keeping the roller or brush from drying out for a day or two, and it'll be ready to use when your decorating resumes. Now you can add trash bags to the list of must-have tools for a flawless paint job.