Nearly every house painting project results in a partial can (or more) of leftover paint. If the project was planned well, there won’t be too much left over, but still, some extra is nearly inevitable. What is the best thing to do with leftover paint? Can it be recycled? These are great questions!
The best thing to do with leftover paint is to save it for later. If a wall is scraped, stained, or damaged, that extra paint can be a lifesaver to touch up the spots and restore the fresh look. Extra paint can be saved for many years if it is stored well.
How to Store Leftover Paint
When you are finished with a house painting project, use a plastic bag or a piece of cling wrap to cover the open paint can. If there is a lot of empty space in the can, push the plastic film down into the can to minimize the air that can come in contact with the paint. Then, firmly place the lid on the can, and store it in a place where it cannot freeze.
How Can I Responsibly Get Rid of Old Paint?
If you are sure you no longer want that leftover interior or exterior paint, there are several ways to get rid of it safely and responsibly. First, see if anyone else wants it. You can contact Habitat for Humanity or other local nonprofits to see if they can use it, or check with an elementary school. Many organizations accept leftover paint for maintenance or art projects. Finally, you can also check with Paintcare.com to ask about recycling the paint.
Can I Put Out My Old Paint with the Household Trash?
Most trash collection services will accept latex house paint, as long as it has been dried out. If there is not much in the can, just set it in the sun with the lid off until it is dry. If you have a lot of paint, you can add kitty litter to the can to dry it up quicker. Once the paint is dry, just put it out with your regular garbage. This is a good reason to use latex paints, since they are not toxic.
New Jersey Professional House Painter
When you have a house painting project on your horizon, we encourage you to speak with Cherry Hill Painting. We offer free estimates for your interior or exterior house painting in New Jersey, so you can get your questions answered and your project priced with no commitment or cost.
At Cherry Hill Painting, we emphasize excellent customer service and premium painting results, all at a reasonable price. In addition to house painting, we also offer cabinet refinishing, wallpaper removal, and even remodeling services.
Serving New Jersey and the Philadelphia area, Cherry Hill Painting is your local house painter!