How to Properly Store and Dispose of Leftover Paint
If you love the accomplishment that comes with finishing a DIY project it’s likely you’ve accumulated a lot of equipment and plenty of paint. Keeping extra paint around the house is good for touch ups, but you have to make sure that paint is still good to use. We’ll tell you how long paint stays good, how to properly store it to maintain its freshness and where to dispose of paint that’s past its prime.
How to Store Leftover Paint
Properly storing paint comes down to sealing it tight and storing it in the right conditions.
To seal paint, ensure the rim is clean of paint and use a rubber mallet to ensure the seal is tight. For an airtight teal, place a piece of plastic wrap over the paint can before closing the lid and sealing the can with a rubber mallet. As an additional measure, write the month and year you opened your paint on the lid. This will help you determine exactly how long you’ve had your old paint rather than relying on memory.
Tip: Not every home project includes a can of paint. Some projects are best completed with spray paint and those need to be stored properly too. Store spray paint in an upright position in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Spray paint is best stored in an area between 50- and 80-degrees Fahrenheit. When stored properly, spray paint can last anywhere from two to five years.
Can You Store Paint in the Garage?
It’s common to store paint in the garage, but it’s actually one of the worst places to store paint because of the temperature fluctuations. Paint that is stored in the garage tends to freeze when it’s too cold and gets too hot in the summer. Instead, paint should be stored in a temperate environment between 60- and 80-degrees Fahrenheit.
The best places in your home to store paint are in a closet, utility room or basement. If you decide to store your paint in the basement, make sure they are stored on a shelf since moisture from the basement can cause paint cans to rust.
How to Properly Store Paint Overnight
If you need to take a break in the middle of painting, you don’t have to seal everything up like you’re storing it for the long haul. If you’re using paint strain from the can, seal it as you usually would but if you have paint in a tray, cover it with plastic wrap and place it in a plastic bag, squeezing out as much air as possible. Same goes for the paint brushes and rollers you’re using.
You can either wrap them in plastic wrap for seal them in a plastic bag to maintain their moisture. This process is best for taking a short break from painting but no longer than 24 hours. Failing to properly clean your brushes may lead to having to replace them earlier than expected.
How Can I Tell if My Paint is Still Good?
When stored properly, opened latex paint will keep for about two years. Paint can last longer than two years, but before using any old paint you should confirm that it’s still good to use. Old paint will have a strong sour smell. Some people even describe it as a rotten eggs smell. Some paints that are past their prime may even smell like mold or mildew.
In addition, old paint will contain jelly-like clumps even after stirring. It may be tempting to muscle through the smell of old paint, but the coverage and performance of the paint won’t be the same so you’re better off recycling the paint rather than trying to salvage it.
Tip: Two years is a good rule of thumb for latex paint, but oil-based paints are less susceptible to going bad and can last up to 15 years so long as it’s been properly stored. When it’s time to use your oil-based paint, remove the film from the top of the paint and mix the paint well with a stirring stick. This could take some time since pigment in oil-based paints settle at the bottom of the can.
If you’re worried that your oil-based paint has gone bad, check for the same rancid smell you’d find with latex paint and if there is a hardened skin on top of the paint. In addition, you will notice a visible separation of liquids that will not mix easily.
How Should I Dispose of Paint?
Properly disposing of paint varies by region, but one thing is certain. You should never pour paint down your septic system! PaintCare is a nonprofit program that manages paint drop off sites around the country. Alternatively, Earth911.com houses a database for recycling paint and other hazardous materials. Just enter your ZIP code and what you need to recycle to find a drop off center near you.
