Painting is the cheapest way to update your home. You may hire a painter or do the job yourself to save money. You will probably use a roller or pad for walls, but will need a brush for cutting in corners and painting trim. The right brush will make these jobs easier. Which brush should you buy? Here are some things to consider.

Price. Cheap brushes are a waste of money, according to the Aubuchon Hardware Web site. You get what you pay for and cheap brushes have few bristles. If the brush doesn’t have enough bristles your do-it-yourself project will take longer. Worse, the Aubuchon site says “a poor brush . . . will result in a poor finish.”

Shape. Match the shape of the paint brush to the job. Sherwin-Williams recommends a chisel trim brush with slanted bristles for corners and edges. Buy a square-shaped brush for flat areas. You need an angled brush for windows, trim, and tight spaces.

Bristles. Synthetic bristles — nylon, polyester, nylon, and polyester blend — are recommended for water-based paint. Natural bristles, which are made from hog and ox hair, are recommended for oil-based paint. The Do It Yourself Web site describes Chinex bristles, a Du Pont product. According to the site, “Chinex bristles simulate the characteristics of natural bristles.”

Shape. Home Depot recommends a one-inch brush (straight-edge or angled) for corners, edging, trim, and window sill. A two-inch brush (straight-edge or angled) is recommended for woodwork, trim, molding, and cutting into corners. You need a three-inch, straight-edge brush for cabinets, doors, beams, and stairs. Use a four-inch, straight-edge brush for ceilings and walls.

Quality. Buying a cheap brush is a waste of your hard-earned money. “A top-of-the-line brush will generally hold more paint, streak less, give a better finish and last longer,” according to the Home Depot Web site. Look for a brush with a metal, non-corrosive band. The band should be held in place with screws or rivets, not just bent around the bristles, and the brush should have a wooden handle.

Using the brush. According to Lowe’s you should moisten a synthetic brush with water before you dip it in water-based paint. Resist the urge to over-load the brush with paint because this will cause drips and streaks. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to get more coverage. Never soak a brush in water or solvent for hours at a time.

Cleaning. A brush used with water-based paint should be cleaned in warm, soapy water. Clean the brush in solvent if you used oil-based paint. After the brush is clean spin it around in the air to get rid of moisture. Straighten the bristles with a metal comb and lay the brush flat to dry. Store the brush in its original package or wrap it in aluminum foil.

Don’t let your paint job turn into a drippy, streaky mess. Buy the best brush you can afford. After you have finished painting invite your friends for dinner and show them your handiwork. They will give you the unofficial DIY award for your painting efforts.