Painting is an easy home improvement project that can drastically add new life to your home. It’s also a project where you tend to have a lot leftover and disposing of it isn’t as easy as throwing it away.
If you’re unsure how to use up the rest of your paint, or how to dispose of it, here are 5 ideas to get you started.
1. Get Creative
Add a pop of color to an old table, stool, or dresser to liven up your home and use up your paint. There are tons of projects around the house you could use your paint on, you just have to be creative with it.
You could even try mixing your various colors for your own unique color. Have fun and play around with a few ideas.
2. Store in smaller containers
You’ll probably want some paint left to do minor touch-ups around the house from moving items around or if your child decides to make the wall their canvas. If you want to keep some paint, but not the big paint can, pour the leftover paint into smaller airtight containers like mason jars.
Make sure you label the paint with the color, what room it was used in, and the manufacturer’s number in case you need more at a later date. Then store the paint in a cool dark place to prevent it from going bad.
3. Dry it out
Depending on how much paint you have left this process could take a few days to a few weeks. Basically take the lid off the paint can and let it sit, away from animals and children, until all the paint has dried.
Afterwards, take out the dried up disc of paint and toss it into the trash. Once it’s dried, it should be fine to throw away with your other household trash.
4. Donate or advertise it
Ask your friends, family, and neighbors if they’re interested in your leftover paint. If they’re not interested, try donating to a green building company, like Habitat for Humanities ReStores.
Your next best option is posting an ad on Craigslist or FreeCycle to get someone to take the paint off your hands.
5. Find a disposal location
If you don’t want to dispose of your leftover paint, or can’t find someone to take it off of your hands, try finding a disposal location. Companies like Lowe’s and PaintCare accept leftover paint with the intention of recycling it.
How are you using your leftover paint?
