Dispose of Left Over Paint Safely at The Local Paint Store

The best way to Dispose of Left Over Paint Safely is to recycle it at a paint store. Since Latex paint is waterbased, it is safe to through away, if it is prepared properly.

How to Store Left Over Paint

Seal it Up It is essential to seal the paint can properly to keep the paint from drying up. If paint spilled into the grooves of the paint can wipe it with a clean rag. Use a rubber mallet, rather than a hammer, to tap the lid down securely. If you don’t have a mallet, cover the can with a piece of wood and then hammer the lid closed.

Location Paint should be stored in a cool, dark location like a basement. Moisture from basement floors can rust your paint cans, so it is best to make sure that it’s on a shelf. If you don’t have a basement, place them in a cabinet or closet in your house. Regulating temperatures are critical when storing paint. Cold weather may trigger latex paint to separate, making it useless. Heat can dry it out, and scorching temperatures can cause a fire with oil-based paints.

How to Dispose of Left Over Paint without taking it to a Recycling Center.

1. If you have a small amount of latex paint you can leave it in the sun to dry it up.
2. Stir cat litter or newspaper to the paint, until it is thick enough that it will not spill.
3. Once the paint dries you can throw the can in the garbage.
4. If you have large amounts of paint to dispose of you can purchase a paint hardener, like Homax 3535 3 Pack Waste-Away Paint Hardener at a home improvement store.

Good to Know

• No paint can be dumped in the gutter or down the drain.
• Oil-based paints are hazardous waste and must be disposed of at a recycling center.
• Leaking, unlabeled and empty containers are NOT accepted at drop-off sites.