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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ABOUT LAVABRUSH

  • How does Lavabrush work and save water?

    Lavabrush cleans up to 15 brushes with as little as 1,5 litres of water.

    Washing a single brush under running water, wastes anywhere between 15 and 25 litres of water. On average that would add up to more than 225 litres of contaminated water for 15 brushes under running water instead of only 1,5 litres with Lavabrush.

    And remeber, once you are done washing your brushes, you simply drain your brush cleaner and recycle the small amount of used water.

    Lavabrush is not only much faster, it cleans better and saves a massive amount of drinkable water!

  • Why Lavabrush?

    Water is one of our most valuable and important natural resources. In large parts of the world, there is a serious shortage of clean water. Today, microplastics are found in marine environments, in the soil, in the air we breathe, in the food we eat and in the water we drink. Its impact on public health and ecosystems is a fact.

    The paint sector contributes to the release of microplastics, by rinsing paint containing plastic binders into the oceans during tool washing.

    Lavabrush's portable brush cleaner reduces a painter's water consumption when cleaning brushes by up to 99% compared to current cleaning processes and is an important step in stopping microplastics from being released into the world's oceans.

    Lavabrushs mission is to radically reduce that amount, without compromising the efficiency of cleaning and creating a movement that will strive to reduce the release of microplastics from paint into the oceans.

  • Where is Lavabrush made?

    Lavabrush is developed, designed and engineered by Swedes and in Sweden. We are proud of the technical geniuses, the technical resources and the amazing local manufacturers of components.

    Most of all we value their commitment, to finding both smart and environmentally sound and friendly solutions on our Lavabrush journey.

  • What about the water in the paint brush cleaner?

    We reduce the used water during paint washing by more than 99%, but most importantly, the water is collected in an enclosed container in our cleaning system.

    After the cleaning process, you simply drain the system from the 1,5 litres of wash water and recycle it.

    For the average painter this means a reduction of the amount of contaminated water by more than 220 litres a week.

  • How many brushes can I clean before it needs maintenance?

    Our machine is built to last under rough construction site conditions and it is made to clean brushes every day all year long.

    In our own testing we have cleaned several thousand brushes, without problems.

    Should you experience issues or problems you are always free to reach out to our support.

  • Where can I buy Lavabrush?

    Lavabrush will be available online on our site, but also in professional outlets all over Europe during end of 2024 and hopefully even beyond the European borders during the beginning of 2025.

    If you know someone who should stock it or can help spread the word and help save valuable resources, please reach out!

  • How is the brush affected when it is washed?

    Everyone knows that a brush only gets better with time, and with Lavabrush, the brush stays clean but moist, making it perfect for the next painting session. Thoroughly cleaning the brush after each painting (10-15 seconds) ensures that no old paint residue remains, which extends the brush's lifespan, lowering costs, and benefiting the environment.

  • Are there any other advantages to the Brush Washer?

    Yes, a very positive side effect is that the painter and their surroundings stay significantly cleaner. Hands, clothes, tools, and surfaces you normally come in contact with won’t get as messy. This also saves time and costs for the painter.

  • Can you mix different colors/shades?

    Yes, no problem, but stronger shades may require more frequent water changes.

  • Can we wash rollers?

    No, not with this equipment.

  • How large brushes can you wash?

    You can wash anything from the smallest to large facade brushes. As long as they fit through the opening, it's possible.

  • Does Lavabrush work with round brushes as well?

    Yes, Lavabrush has developed a special feature in the Brush Washer specifically for round brushes, allowing for efficient cleaning of round brushes.

  • People often talk about the payback time for an investment; what does that look like for the Brush Washer?

    If you strictly consider material and time savings, the cost of the Brush Washer is recovered within 2, at most 3 months. This doesn’t even include benefits like a cleaner work environment and water savings.

  • Does Lavabrush contribute to any of the UN's environmental goals in Agenda 2030?

    Yes, absolutely, and to quite a few actually!
    Goal 3: Good Health
    Goal 6: Clean Water
    Goal 9: Sustainable Industry and Innovation
    Goal 11: Sustainable Communities
    Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
    Goal 13: Climate Action
    Goal 14: Life Below Water
    Goal 15: Life on Land

  • Is the Brush Washer patented?

    Yes, it has international protection, unique and the only one of its kind in the world.

ABOUT POLLUTION FROM PAINT

  • How much water can we save from contamination with Lavabrush?

    A Swedish painter's water consumption to clean a week's brushes is estimated at about 200 liters per week for roughly 15 brushes. With about 15,000 painters in Sweden, it can be assumed that over 100 million liters of clean water are contaminated during brush and tool washing in Sweden alone.

  • Why is washing paint brushes under running water harmful to the environment?

    Washing paint brushes under running water can introduce harmful chemicals and microplastics from the paint into the water system. These contaminants can affect aquatic life and ecosystems by altering water chemistry, leading to toxic conditions for fish and other organisms.

  • What specific chemicals in paint are harmful to aquatic life?

    Many paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals (like lead, cadmium, and chromium), and other toxic substances. When these chemicals enter waterways, they can poison aquatic animals, disrupt reproductive systems, and accumulate in the food chain, posing risks to both wildlife and humans.

  • How does washing paint brushes affect water treatment facilities?

    Water treatment facilities are not designed to remove all the chemicals and particulates found in paint. As a result, these pollutants can pass through the treatment process and enter natural water bodies, contributing to water pollution and posing health risks to communities that rely on these water sources.

  • Are water-based (latex) paints safer to wash out under running water compared to oil-based paints?

    While water-based paints are generally less toxic than oil-based paints, they can still contain harmful chemicals and microplastics that are problematic when released into the environment. Both types of paint should be disposed of properly to minimize environmental impact.

  • Are there microplastics from paints in urban runoff and wastewater?

    Microplastics from paints can enter waterways through urban runoff and wastewater discharges, particularly from the washing and cleaning of painting equipment and surfaces.

    Environmental Impact
    These microplastics can persist in the environment for long periods, breaking down into smaller particles that can be ingested by marine organisms, leading to bioaccumulation and potential harm up the food chain.

  • What are some environmentally friendly alternatives to washing paint brushes under running water?

    Use the paint:
    Try to use up as much paint as possible on the project before cleaning the brushes.

    Solvent Recycling:
    Use a paintbrush cleaner or solvent in a container, let the paint particles settle, and reuse the cleaner.

    Proper Disposal:
    Collect used solvent or water in a container and dispose of it at a hazardous waste facility.

    Dry Cleaning:
    Wipe excess paint off brushes with a rag or paper towel before washing.

    Eco-Friendly Products:
    Consider using biodegradable or non-toxic paint products to reduce environmental harm.

    By adopting these practices, you can significantly reduce the negative environmental impact associated with washing paint brushes.

  • Are architectural coatings and paints a significant source of environmental contamination and microplastic pollution?

    While exact figures can vary, several studies and reports have highlighted the considerable impact of paints on microplastic pollution:

    Global Estimates
    According to a report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2017, around 10% of the microplastics in the oceans come from paints. This includes architectural, marine, and road paints.

    A 2020 study by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) estimated that approximately 58,000 tonnes of microplastics are released annually in the European Union from paints and coatings.

    Regional Data
    In the United Kingdom, it has been estimated that about 23,000 tonnes of microplastics are released into the environment each year from decorative paints alone.

    The contribution of architectural paints to microplastic pollution is substantial, highlighting the need for better management practices, alternative materials, and greater awareness to mitigate this source of environmental contamination.

  • Are there micro plastics in paint and coatings?

    Yes, paint contains microplastics and paint particles are part of the increasingly important problem of microplastics pollution of our oceans.

    Paint contains polyurethanes, polyesters, polyacrylates, polystyrenes, alkyls and epoxies. In spite of their prevalence, paint fragments are often excluded from microplastics pollution audits.

    Lately the problem has been recognised by several forceful authorities and pressure on the paint industry is increasing. Legislation is already brought on its way in many areas.

  • How is the brush affected when it's washed?

    Everyone knows that a brush only gets better and better over time, and with Lavabrush, the brush stays clean, keeping it in perfect condition for the next painting. Fully cleaning the brush after each use (20-30 seconds) ensures no old paint residues remain, which contributes to a longer lifespan, lower costs, and a better environment.

  • Can you mix different colors/shades?

    Yes, no problem, but stronger shades may require more frequent water changes.

  • Can we wash rollers?

    No, not with this equipment.

  • Are there any other advantages to the Brush Washer?

    Yes, a very positive side effect is that the painter and their surroundings stay much cleaner. Hands, clothes, tools, and surfaces that are normally in contact with paint don't get as messy. This also saves time and costs for the painter.

  • One often talks about payback time for an investment; what does it look like for Lavabrush?

    If you strictly consider material and time savings, the cost of the Brush Washer is recouped in 2, maximum 3 months. This doesn't include other benefits such as a cleaner work environment and water savings.

  • What size brushes can be washed?

    You can wash everything from the smallest to large facade brushes.

  • Does it work with round brushes as well?

    Yes, Lavabrush has developed a special function in the Brush Washer specifically for round brushes, which effectively allows cleaning of round brushes.

  • What components in architectural coatings are harmful to waterways and oceans?

    Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
    VOCs can evaporate into the air and contribute to air pollution, which can then deposit into water bodies, affecting aquatic life.

    Heavy Metals
    Paints may contain heavy metals like lead, cadmium, chromium, and mercury, which are toxic to marine life and can accumulate in the food chain.

    Microplastics
    Paints often include synthetic polymers that break down into microplastics, contributing to the growing problem of microplastic pollution in oceans.

    Biocides and Fungicides
    These chemicals are added to paint to prevent microbial growth but can be harmful to aquatic organisms when washed into waterways.

    Surfactants
    Used to improve the spreadability of paint, surfactants can be toxic to fish and other aquatic life, affecting their reproduction and survival rates.

    Solvents
    Solvents in paint can be harmful to aquatic environments, as they can reduce the dissolved oxygen levels in water, affecting aquatic life.

    Pigments
    Some pigments contain harmful substances that can leach into water, posing risks to aquatic organisms.

    When paint residues are washed into drains, these harmful components can end up in waterways and oceans, posing significant risks to the environment and marine life.

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