Most homeowners would be lying if they said they didn’t have at least one old can of paint stored away. We often hold on to paint because we are worried we may need it again in the future, but few people know that house paints are only viable for 10 to 15 years. If you have old cans of paint or an excess of newer paint that you don’t have room to store, then you are probably looking for a way to get rid of it.
Don’t Dump It Down The Drain!
I know, I know. Washing old paint down the drain seems like a quick fix, but it is bad for the environment and not too kind on your plumbing. Now you may be tempted to seal the can and toss it in the trash, but if it is still full of wet paint, then that is also a pretty toxic idea. Oil-based paints are considered hazardous waste, and latex-based paints aren’t much better when they are allowed to come into contact with life in a way that was not intended.
When these substances are poured down the drain or sent to the landfill where they can spill out into the environment, they have the potential to contaminate drinking water and damage ecosystems. I know this makes paint disposal sound daunting, but there are ways that you can safely and easily dispose of your leftover paint. Here are a few options so you can choose one that is best suited to your needs!
Donate
It always feels good to give back, and donations can be a mutually beneficial practice when it comes to discarding paint. If the paint you have is not expired and there is a reasonable amount left, you can consider giving it to someone in need. This may be a friend, family, local charities, or bigger organizations like Habitat for Humanity.
Dry & Discard
If you only have a small amount of latex-based paint left or it is otherwise unusable, then it is normally best to dry your paint. Drying paint prevents it from leaking into the environment easily and aids with mess-free disposal.
To dry your paint, you can try one of three methods:
1. Leave your paint in the sun.
Small amounts of paint should dry up within a day, if left in direct sunlight.
2. Leave your paint can open in a safe place.
If the weather is inclement or you have more paint than can dry in a day you can leave it open in a safe place. Choose somewhere where it won’t spill and where children and animals can’t access it.
3. Use cat litter.
This may sound odd, but cat litter is great at absorbing moisture. Mix an absorbent cat litter in with your paint and allow it to soak up all of the moisture before closing the container and discarding your paint. Be warned that your paint will grow in weight and size if you use this method.
Drop-Off
Some paint suppliers and many local officials have locations where unused paint can be dropped off for proper disposal. A quick internet search should lead you to the closest location for your paint disposal.
Professional Assistance
If you are looking to have your home professionally painted and don’t want to worry about paint disposal, then look into contacting a professional painting team. At Zuck Painting, we offer free estimates in the Massachusetts area and take care of everything from setting up to cleaning up. For more information, you can contact our team of experienced painters on our website or by calling (508) 250-7272.