Abstract: A paint roller preserver for preserving a roller cover installed on a roller applicator is disclosed. An upper portion and a lower portion are hingedly connected and both have a rounded interior surface, which couple together to form a cavity for housing a standard roller cover. When the device is closed, there is minimal air space between the cavity and the roller cover. Optionally, a plug is used to maintain minimal air space when storing roller covers of a lesser length than a standard roller cover. There is a closing mechanism on a front side of the upper portion and lower portion to releasably couple the two portions releasably couple the upper and lower portions together with ease. A reservoir groove extends along a length of a bottom side of the lower portion that is adapted to collect residue from the roller cover. An aperture in the housing is adapted to receive a shaft of a roller applicator. Optionally, the paint roller preserver has a flattened exterior surface on the upper portion for labeling.