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How to Dispose of Paint Properly

Wondering how to dispose of paint or recycle paint that you have leftover?

Paint storage of your leftover paint can easily be done by first sealing the can properly.

When you reseal a can of leftover paint, any paint residue that has collected in the rim can prevent an airtight seal. What's more, it usually squishes out, making a mess. Dispose of Paint

To minimize the buildup, simply wipe the rim clean before you close the can.
To improve the seal, stretch a piece of plastic wrap over the rim. Then tap the lid into place, using light hammer strikes on alternate sides of the lid.

When you store leftover latex paint in its original can, you often get rust and paint flakes in the paint. To avoid this, pour the paint into a plastic bottle or a glass jar with a screw lid. But don't let any paint get on the threads of the lid or you won't be able to reopen it. If you do get paint on the threads, rub a little petroleum jelly on them.

You can also keep leftover paint fresh by pouring it into a resealable plastic bag. Squeeze the air out before you seal the bag; then put the bag into the original paint can and tap the lid closed.

Avoiding the "Paint Skin"

Even if a can of leftover paint is sealed tight, a skin will form on the surface of the paint after a while. Removing the skin before you begin to paint is a messy job at best. To avoid this floating paint skin, store the can upside down. Then when it's time to open the can, turn it right side up. The skin will be on the bottom of the can, leaving the fresh paint on the top.

Oil-base Skin - Spreading a thin film of mineral spirits over the surface of oil-base paint before sealing the can will keep a skin from forming. To apply the film, put the solvent in a small sprayer. Use very little - only 1 teaspoonful to a half-empty gallon of paint. To keep the film intact as you seal and store the can, take care not to shake or agitate it accidentally.

Disposing of Paint

If the paint is too old, you should find out how to dispose of paint or recycle paint.

It's very common now with cities and municipalities to have a designated place to drop off old paint cans for reuse and recycle paint. This is by far the easiest and safest method of disposing of paint.

In the case where you aren't in an area where they provide a depot for drop-off, you can actually open the cans up and let them dry out completely. This works well if there is very little paint left.

Otherwise, you can also buy something called a Waste Paint Hardener. It's basically a powder that you pour in and mix with the leftover paint and it will harden it so that you can then dispose of the paint can through the normal trash.

***Note: this will only work for Latex or water-based paints, NOT oil/alkyd paints. For oil paints, you need to call to find a local hazardous waste facility that would take them.
Hope this helps you know how to dispose of paint properly and save the environment :)

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