Originally published Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Test Drive | EasyClean Paintbrush is a stroke of genius
I rarely reuse a paintbrush. Despite the best of intentions, after repeatedly washing a brush and then separating the bristles to dry, the...
Special to The Seattle Times
I rarely reuse a paintbrush. Despite the best of intentions, after repeatedly washing a brush and then separating the bristles to dry, the remaining dried-out paint usually left it stiff as a board.
Pros: Not so with the EasyClean Paintbrush, made by Bellevue-based EZ Paint Tools Inc. The brush is hollow on the inside, so when you're finished painting, cleaning is as simple as attaching the brush to a hose. After running the water through the brush for a few minutes and massaging the bristles, I left it out to dry. When I checked later, the tapered polyester bristles were just as soft as when brand new.
Also, I noticed no difference in the finish between the EasyClean Paintbrush and other good-quality bristled brushes. It's a bit more expensive, but that's a small price to pay for a paintbrush I can use over and over again.
Cons: The company's Web site claims the brush can be cleaned in less than a minute. I found that cleanup time took a bit longer than that but was still far less compared to how long it has taken me to clean our other paintbrushes.
Joy's verdict: Thumbs up.
Cost: A three-piece trial pack is $29.95 at www.easycleanpaintbrush.com or amazon.com.
This is an occasional feature in NW Home&Life to help readers become more informed consumers. The Seattle Times purchases the items.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Picnics in the Pacific Northwest happen rain or shine
Wine Adviser: Rosés enjoy a boom in quality as well as quantity
Plant Life: Chic raised beds help make growing veggies easy
Northwest Living: One small plot serves as home, shop and town stopping spot

2009 fireworks time lapse
With strict parking rules enforced at this year's July 4th celebration on Wallingford Ave North, less cars and more spectators filled the streets.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
shopping

events for Sunday, Jul. 5th
- IKEA Summer Sale
- Blackbird Spring Half-Yearly Sale
- Karan Dannenberg Clothier Progressive...
- Alhambra July Sale
editors' picks
More shopping guidesgeneral classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Sporting goods
just listed
Ikea 3 drawer chest - $30
maytag dryer - $200
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Former NFL MVP McNair killed
- Russell Branyan, Mariners fight off the Red Sox
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Palin takes to Web for hints of political future
- Fourth of July festivals and fireworks in Seattle, the suburbs and beyond
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- The Blotter | Man pistol-whipped after argument at nightclub
- Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
- Desert-lobster dispute turns pair into sagebrush heroes
- Palin resigning as Alaska governor
776 - Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox: 07/05 game thread
246 - Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
144 - Former NFL MVP McNair killed
106 - Hatred for the NBA runs deep, but don't take it out on the players
106 - Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
97 - Property taxes: Appeals shoot up is King, Snohomish Counties
86 - Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
68 - Anti-tax rally in Olympia attracts about 1,500
48 - Seeking your questions
41
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Merchant Marine veterans fight for recognition
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Close-up | Prison guards intercept carrier pigeon with a cellphone
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Concert Review | Green Day blasts off 4th weekend with KeyArena show
- Pre-grill drill: marinate steaks
- Amtrak cleared for 2nd daily train to Vancouver, B.C.
- Lake Washington's sockeye run may hit a record low



