Stuck With Leftover Paint? Here's How to Store it Properly
As we've discussed in previous posts, choosing low VOC paints can make your home safer and healthier. In fact, in a recent study, participants spent six full work days in an environmentally-controlled office space at the TIEQ lab at the Syracuse Center of Excellence. In this space, VOC levels were reduced to approximately 50 micrograms per cubic meter and 40 cubic feet per minute of outdoor air per person. They found that, on average, cognitive scores were 101% higher than in conventional workspaces.
Of course, the painting process doesn't end once you've selected your paint -- in fact, it's just beginning. If you've recently purchased or completed a project using non toxic paint for cribs and other furniture, storing it properly can help you make the most of its value and high quality. Here are some quick and easy tips to help you store leftover paint properly.
Choose Airtight Containers
In a 2017 interior design trends survey, more than a third of respondents said they would choose a neutral color palette if redecorating their home. But regardless of the color paint you're preserving, it's important to make sure the container you're storing it in is completely airtight. Otherwise, the paint can -- and most likely will -- start to thicken and dry up, losing its quality and sheen.
Make a DIY Funnel
Getting your paint from its original bucket to the airtight container you've selected may not be an easy process, and you don't want to take the chance of spilling even a drop. To prevent the potential mess, make a DIY funnel by cutting off the top portion of a plastic bottle. Pretty nifty, eh?
Pouring the Paint
Surprisingly, there's actually a specific method to pour the paint that can assist in its preservation:
"Position the DIY funnel into the glass jar and begin pouring the paint until three-fourths full. Less air keeps paint longer, so make sure the lid is secure. Keep the paint colors organized with stick-on labels that detail the color name and what in the house is painted that color," writes Clara MacLellan on HGTV.
Make sure to keep your leftover paints at a temperature between 60 and 80 degrees F, and keep it on a shelf that's high enough to be out of reach of children. For more information about picking out paint and non toxic paint for cribs, contact Ecos Paints.
