Painting is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to transform a space. But it can also be a hassle, what with all that taping and prepping and cleaning up. These clever tips can make it easier. Fun, even. (That might be a stretch.)

Wrap it up

One of the most painful tasks associated with the painting is having to clean up at the end of the day. If you hate cleaning your brushes, this tip is for you. The best way to preserve your brush if you’re done for the day (or the time being) but not done with the job, is to wrap it in plastic wrap and throw it in the freezer overnight. But, it does require about 15 minutes of thawing out the following day before you can begin again. We found that putting the brush in a Ziploc bag and making it as airtight as possible does a fine job of keeping the brush pliable for the next day, and you can just pick it up and go without the wait.

Line it

Paint tray liners are helpful in extending the life of your paint tray and minimizing clean up, but if you don’t want to spend the money, head to your kitchen, instead. Aluminum foil or plastic wrap wrapped around your paint tray will keep it clean.

Keep that foil handy

Reader’s Digest notes that aluminum foil is also great when painting a door. “When you’re painting a door, aluminum foil is great for wrapping doorknobs to keep paint off them. Overlap the foil onto the door when you wrap the knob, then run a sharp utility knife around the base of the knob to trim the foil. That way you can paint right up to the edge of the knob. In addition to wrapping knobs on the doors that you’ll paint, wrap all the doorknobs that are along the route to where you will clean your hands and brushes.”

Dust those walls

Prepping is key to a successful paint job, but if you’re doing a quick cleanup of your walls before painting, you may not want to spray cleaner on them for fear that the paint won’t adhere well. Use a Swiffer duster instead. Dust will cling to it and you’ll have a clean surface to paint on.  A dryer sheet is another good option for getting the dust off your surfaces – especially baseboards – before you begin.

Take out the smell

If you’re using a VOC paint, any odor should be minor. But if you want to ensure the smell is pleasant, add some vanilla. “To neutralize the strong smell of any type of paint, add one tablespoon of vanilla extract (a natural deodorizer) per gallon. It won’t affect the color of the paint,” said HGTV.

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