Tackling a painting project in your home can be exciting for some and downright dreadful for others. While many people find painting to be relaxing and a great way to add personality and style to a home, others find the tedious task boring and laborious. Regardless of which end of the spectrum you may be on, most will agree that one of the biggest problems with home painting is what to do with the leftover paint. Many people will just leave it in a basement or garage for years to come simply because they do not know how to properly dispose of it. Even worse, others will toss a can of used paint in the garbage and not worry about the harmful effects to the environment.

Here are some helpful tips to think about before disposing old paint:

Keep what you can

Latex paint can last up to 10 years if sealed correctly. You never know when you might need some of that kitchen paint to touch up a crayon mishap from one of your kids. The safest way to seal your used paint can is to place a layer of plastic wrap in between the can and the lid and then store upside down. By doing so, the paint itself will create an airtight seal. Also, do not bang on the lid with a hammer in an attempt to seal the can-this only damages the sealing rim and allows air entry.

Store the Product Safely

Keep the product in its original container with the label intact and store the product out of reach of children, pets, heat, and away from the house, if possible. Another helpful hint is to create a paint color/product spreadsheet to be used for future reference. Many homes have very similar colors throughout, so it is helpful to have a spreadsheet that lets you know which colors/products you used in which rooms. You may not remember if your bathroom was Stone Beige or Canyon Tan. Keeping records will help to eliminate any confusion and make it easy if you ever need to purchase more of a color in the future.

Donate the Paint

If you have no use for the paint, maybe ask a friend or family member if they could use any. If not, charities such as Habitat For Humanity ReStore will accept unwanted latex paint in some cases. Why not put your unwanted paint to good use for someone else?

Dry the Can of Paint Out

Safely dry out unwanted paint. You MUST dry out used paint before it can be disposed of. Small amounts can often be dried up just by sitting the can out in the sun for a while. Larger amounts may require kitty litter to speed up the process. Furthermore, home improvement stores now sell paint hardeners at a very reasonable cost that make the job much easier.

Take It to the Trash

Once paint is completely and thoroughly dried out, must communities will then allow the cans to be left curbside with your trash, provided the lid is removed so the trash removal service can verify it is dry. Check with your local trash removal company or city hall to verify your community’s procedures.

Happy painting!