How to store leftover paint for free using food containers.
Welcome and thanks so much for stopping in today! I’ve been in a purging, cleaning and organizing mood lately and hitting every room in the house.
This past weekend was the basement’s turn so I descended into the depths of the dungeon and spent time cleaning up and organizing the leftover paint from our kitchen remodel.
Usually, when I buy paint I’ll leave it in the can. I always use a spout, which helps keep the can clean for a while. Inevitably though it gets messy with dried paint around the rim causing both the can and lid to rust. Not good when you have half a gallon of good paint left.
So, to keep paint longer I started using glass and plastic food containers bound for the recycle bin. My container of choice lately has been the clear bottles our orange juice comes in. They are perfect because they are tall and slim, so you can store more in a small space. They are also see-through so you can see what you have and how much is left.
The orange juice containers I used have a small opening so we used a water bottle with an even smaller opening as a funnel. We just cut off the bottom and turned it upside down in the oj bottle. So easy and completely free since you’re using something that would be tossed out anyway.
I also filled up a small creamer container that will be stored under my kitchen sink, for quick touch ups.
I know that keeping paint in recycled bottles or jars may not be a new and clever idea, but I do have 1 tiny, little tip to share. Place a small piece of plastic wrap over the opening before you put the lid on. It helps keep air out and it also keeps the lid clean and dry so you won’t have a crusty, dried mess that prevents you from closing it tight.
The only thing missing was a label. I just use painter’s tape and, along with the brand, color, formula (in case you need more of that color) and finish and the month and year it was stored.
I know, I know…so easy.
But…if you spend $20 or $30 on a can a paint, you want it to last as long as possible right? Now you can go and pull all of those plastic bottles and glass jars out of your recycle bin and use them to store leftover paint.
Any tips you care to share for storing leftover paint?
Looking for more organizational and storage ideas? Check out how I tame the clutter in my small bathroom.
Lyn
Great idea I was just wondering what to do with my paint
Can that I can hardly get the lid on any more,
Thanks so much
Lyn
Kristi
Hi Lyn. We have cans like that right now and I would suggest you go to Lowe’s or Home Depot and look for a gallon plastic container with a lid (they usually sell them by the paint supplies). Transfer the paint into the plastic container and you are good to go. Hope that helps.
Kathi
Thanks for your post.I also use those to store paint.I use them as well in and around the gardens to hold water for those plants that just need a drink,but not all do ,and you don’t want to have to drag the hose just for 1 or 2 plants..The glass jars,like those spaghetti sauce comes in are good for pouring that bacon grease into,then when the jar is full,just toss the whole thing.They have lots of uses,so i always keep a couple on hand,the rest i put in the recycling bin..
Kristi
Great ideas, Kathi. Thanks for sharing.
Kim
Well, that looks a whole lot better than the paint dripped cans we have in the basement, that’s for sure! You clever girl, you! 🙂
Kristi
Oh, we’ve gone with the paint dripped cans look too. 😉 We’re getting quite the paint collection and running out of storage space so this definitely helps. Hope you have a great week!
Vel
That’s a neat idea, and seeing the color is awesome too as well as pouring it out! Thank you!
Kristi
Thank you! I like to be able to see the color, and if I’m getting low on supply, so this works great.
Nancy
Interesting tips. I like being able to stack my cans of paint so I can take advantage of height. Since paint separates, Kristi, how do you “stir” it when it’s in a bottle? Shake it? Pour it back into a can and stir? Just curious. Thanks for sharing.xo ~ Nancy
Kristi
Hi Nancy. To mix the paint, I just shake it really well (and I’ve never had a problem). The containers are fairly small so it’s not a lot of paint to mix.
Thanks for stopping in my friend! Happy weekend!
Brenda
Will the plastic withstand the paint such as enamel paints?
Kristi
Hi Brenda, thanks for your question. I would say that glass would probably be better to store enamel paints. Hope that helps.
ellenr886
my good friend does this. just dont ever knock them over before you cap them lol!
XO Ellen from Ask Away
Kristi
Oooo no, that would be really bad. 😉
JanL
Great idea. The other ‘tip’ I would include: If there are children in home or visiting, store the paint in a place inaccessible for the children. Children might be tempted to attempt drinking since this is in a juice container. (and yes, indeed, I do know of some children who drank dangerous things from a container that had been used for convenience.)
Kristi
Great point Jan. You can never bee too careful when there are children in the house. Thanks for sharing.
Patty
Great tips for storing paint and it will look so much nicer in your storage area. Thanks for sharing.
Kristi
Thank you Patty. It does make the storage area look nicer and my dark and dusty basement can use all the help it can get. 😉 Have a great week!
dkhalcomb2
Great idea and you can see of it needs mixing. I am getting read to paint my front door so this will be great to store leftovers for touch ups. Debbie
Kristi
Thanks Debbie! What color are you going to paint your front door?
Hope you have a great week!
charleydrumm
your paint storing idea is excellent. My not being a handy man, in the least, I tend to waste too many materials, mainly by improper cleaning (paintbrushes, rollers, roller pans, etc.) This paint storage idea is right up my alley. I keep these plastic containers for starting vegetable seeds in for my garden, so I have several. The prior owners of this house, left several paint cans, high on a shelf in the wash house. The temperature is 25 degrees right now here, an hour East of Dallas,TX, but when Summer rolls around, I’ll sort those paint cans and see exactly what I have. Thank you for the idea.
Kristi
Thanks so much Charley. I’m glad you found my tips helpful. Brrr, 25 degrees in Texas seems pretty cold, although we were at around 10 yesterday. LOL Thanks for stopping in and have a great week!