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Two Pot Method – No Paint In Drains
Clean up correctly

Don’t pollute waterways.

Outdoor drains flow directly into our streams, estuaries and out to sea. The Two Pot Method is a simple way to clean your painting equipment without harming our waterways.

↓ See the Guide Protect our waterways →
Step-by-Step Guide

How to clean your painting equipment

Whether you’re a DIY painter or working professionally, keep paint, wash water and chemicals out of outdoor drains. Choose your paint type below.

Before you start: Squeeze or wipe as much paint as possible from your brush or roller onto old rags, newspaper, or back into the paint tin.
1

First Wash

Use a large bucket of water to clean brushes, rollers and other equipment well — away from waterways, drains and grates.

2

Second Rinse

Transfer the washed equipment to a second bucket full of water for a final rinse.

3

Let It Settle

Place lids on both containers and allow them to stand overnight.

4

Pour Off Clear Water

In the morning, slowly pour the clear water from the first container onto a surface well away from waterways, drains and grates.

5

Dispose of Solids

Stop just before you reach the paint solids. Let the solids dry, then dispose of them in your general rubbish.

6

Repeat the Cycle

The second container (containing the rinse water) now becomes the first container next time.

⚠ Safety first: Solvents are highly flammable. Always work outdoors and away from heat or electrical sources. Keep containers sealed when not in use.
  • Before washing, squeeze or wipe as much paint as possible from your brush or roller onto old rags, newspaper, or into the paint tin.
  • Wash paint brushes in a solvent like turps.
  • Leave the paint and turps mix overnight in a covered container — outdoors and away from any heat or electrical sources, as solvents are highly flammable.
  • The paint solids will settle out overnight.
  • Tip the liquid solvent back into a sealed container for re-use.
  • Dispose of the paint sludge in your rubbish bin.
Why it matters

Visible pollution, immediate impact

When paint wash-off goes into an outdoor drain, it flows directly into local streams, estuaries and eventually the sea.

Paint pollution is something we can prevent at the source — by changing how equipment is cleaned and how leftover paint is handled.

Visible pollution, immediate impact. Paint in drains can harm aquatic life, smother habitats and degrade water quality across our streams and estuaries.

🐟

Aquatic life harmed

Paint pollution can harm eels, fish and invertebrates that depend on healthy streams.

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Habitats smothered

Paint can coat stream beds and damage the substrate native species rely on.

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Water quality lost

Chemicals and contaminants reduce water quality and affect ecosystems from streams to estuaries.

89%

of New Zealand’s indigenous freshwater fish species are threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened. Source: Our Freshwater 2026, Ministry for the Environment, April 2026

Act quickly

Seen paint in a drain or stream?

If you see paint, or other pollution entering a drain or local stream, report it immediately.

1

Record

Take photos or video and note the exact location.

2

Report immediately

Call the Auckland Council Pollution Hotline right away.

3

Trace safely

If it is safe to do so, follow the pollution upstream to help identify the source.

Auckland Council Pollution Hotline

09 377 3107 See it. Record it. Report it.

Never pour paint down outdoor drains

Polluting waterways can incur a fine of up to
$4,000

The outside drain is the stream. Discharging contaminants into waterways can breach the Resource Management Act 1991 and may result in enforcement action.