What Should You Do with Excess Paint?
Every homeowner loves the idea of a quick home improvement project. One of the easiest methods to upgrade a room is painting it. It is a project that can be a bit stressful at first. However, it is also enjoyable. How much paint should you purchase? What color scheme are you planning to add? What room are you trying to paint?
Once you’ve worked out every detail, it is time to start painting. As time passes by, you are on your last paint coat. You look around your job and realize you’ve got a lot of excess paint cans. So, what should you do about them?
A lot of people know that paint is hazardous. Unfortunately, most of them don’t know how to dispose of it properly. Aside from hiring a dumpster rental Fairfield County, here are several other things you can do with excess paint:
Find a Disposal Site for Paint
There are a lot of companies out there that will accept excess paint and recycle it if you really want to get rid of it. These companies include Habitat for Humanity, PaintCare, Lowe’s, and much more. Also, you should try to search for a hazardous waste disposal site in your location if you want to do the job on your own.
Donate the Excess Paint
Recycling or reusing leftover paint is a great approach to ensure you don’t have to save anything. You can utilize leftover paint to improve a stool or an old dresser. Also, you can ask a family member or a friend if they need any paint.
Check with your local city establishments if they’ve planned any major projects. Also, you can look into green building companies that accept excess paint.
Things to Do Before Tossing Your Paint
For those who don’t know, latex paint can last up to 10 years. On the other hand, oil-based paint can last up to 15 years. Thus, you will be happy that you saved the excess paint if you’ve got to paint again down the line. According to the EPA, you should keep the paint in its original label and can. It is a wise move to include the date you opened the paint and the room you used it.
You’ve got to ensure you seal the can by wrapping plastic wrap around its lid and hammering it down. Professionals recommend you store paint in a dry and cool place away from the reach of kids and direct sunlight.
You might have to get rid of your excess paint if it becomes lumpy or hard, or if it develops a bad smell.
Be Sure the Paint is Dry
You can get rid of dried-out paint the same way you handle your garbage. One of the best tips you can use is to let the paint dry in the sun. If you think you’ve got more paint, you can try adding newspaper or kitty litter to speed up the process. You can also purchase a paint hardener for bigger amounts of paint.
Before you throw away dry paint, check with your local laws. However, it is typically legal in a lot of places.