Abstract: A paint roller cover having an outer annular absorbent layer is plugged at one end and inserted through one end of an open-ended cylindrical casing into a snug position within the casing. In one embodiment, said one end of the casing has a closure cap adapted for connection to a supply source of pressurized liquid for forced flow through the absorbent layer and discharge out of the other end of the casing. In another embodiment, said one end of the casing is insertable into piston-cylinder relationship with the open upper end of a container substantially filled with a cleaning liquid. Relative axial movement of the casing and container operates to force the liquid through the absorbent layer. An important feature of the invention is that during endwise movement of the cover into the cleaning position, the material of the absorbent layer will be angularly deflected into a position which is conducive to the uniform distribution of the axial flow of cleaning liquid within the annular layer.