A good DIYer knows to take care of paintbrushes

DIY painting projects area a great way to turn a standard room in your house into a dazzling display of creativity.

Whether it's an accent wall, a splash of colour or a simple earth-tone covering, there's one aspect of painting a house that is always the same - the cleanup.

If you want your brushes to last longer than one project, you'll need to know how to properly clean the paint off the tools and store them until next time. This will depend heavily on the type of paint you use.

For water-based paints, or really any that don't have oil in them, you can simply wash excess paint off with room-temperature water and dish soap. Although these paints can be washed down the drain, it's best to first remove as much excess as possible with an old rag before bringing them to the sink.

For oil-based paints, make sure you've got gloves and a tarp ready. Pour turpentine or another paint thinner into an old metal container and soak the brushes for about five minutes. Dry the brushes on an old towel, then repeat this process until all paint has been removed.

To elongate the life of your brushes and save money in the long run, make sure you properly clean your brushes after every use.