How to Get Rid of Old Paint (Latex and Oil-Based)

Almost every garage and basement has a shelf of old paint cans. Some are half full from the last room you painted, some are rusted shut, and some have been there so long that nobody remembers what color is inside. Getting rid of them isn't hard once you know which kind of paint you have, because latex and oil-based paint are handled very differently.

Step 1: Figure out what kind of paint it is

Check the label first. Look for words like:

• Latex, acrylic or water-based: "clean up with soap and water." Most interior and exterior house paint sold today is latex.
• Oil-based or alkyd: "clean up with mineral spirits" or "paint thinner." Common for older trim paint, some enamels, primers and floor paints.

No label? Open the can and dip a stick in. If a little water mixed in lets the paint thin out and wipe off with soap and water, it's probably latex. If it's glossy, smells strongly of solvent, and won't mix with water, treat it as oil-based.

Also sort out related products. Stains, varnishes, lacquers, paint thinners, mineral spirits and spray paint are usually treated like oil-based paint or as household hazardous waste, not like latex.

Step 2: Use it up or give it away

The best way to get rid of paint is to use it. A few ideas:

• Touch up walls, trim or furniture.
• Mix compatible leftover latex colors into a neutral shade for a basement, garage or shed. Stick to the same base (latex with latex), and test first.
• Use it as a primer coat on a project that'll be painted again.
• Offer usable paint to neighbors, community theaters, schools, maker spaces or reuse stores. Some paint drop-off programs also run "paint swap" shelves.

Paint that's frozen and thawed several times, or that smells sour and has chunks that won't stir back in, is usually past saving.

Step 3: Disposing of latex paint

Latex paint isn't considered hazardous in most places, but most trash haulers don't want liquid paint in the truck, where cans can burst and spill. In many areas, the rule is simple: dried latex paint can go in the regular trash; liquid latex paint can't. Check your local rules, because some areas require latex to go to a paint drop-off program instead.

How to dry out latex paint

• Small amounts (less than a quarter of a can): Leave the lid off in a well-ventilated spot away from children, pets and rain. Stir occasionally. Thin layers dry fastest.
• Larger amounts: Mix in an absorbent material like cat litter, shredded newspaper, sawdust or a commercial paint hardener until the paint is thick and won't pour. Let it sit until solid.
• A lot of paint: Pour it in thin layers into a lined cardboard box and let each layer dry before adding more.

Once it's solid, put the can in the trash with the lid off so collectors can see it's dry, if your hauler allows that. Empty, dry metal cans may be recyclable as scrap metal in some areas.

Step 4: Disposing of oil-based paint

Oil-based paint contains solvents, which makes it flammable and hazardous. Don't dry it out, don't pour it out, and don't put it in the trash. Take it to:

• A household hazardous waste (HHW) facility or collection day
• A paint drop-off program, if one operates in your state
• Some transfer stations that accept HHW on certain days

The same goes for paint thinners, stains, varnishes and aerosol spray paint, which are commonly taken at HHW drop-offs.

Paint stewardship programs

A number of states have paint stewardship laws. Under these programs, paint manufacturers fund a recycling system through a small fee built into the price of new paint. In participating states, paint retailers, transfer stations and other sites act as drop-off points for leftover latex and oil-based paint, usually for free, within quantity limits.

PaintCare is the nonprofit organization that runs these programs in participating states. Its drop-off site locator lets you search for sites near you. If you live in a state without a paint stewardship program, check with your county or city solid waste department instead.

Collected latex paint is often remixed into recycled paint, while oil-based paint is commonly used as fuel.

What never to do

• Don't pour paint down a drain, into a storm drain or onto the ground. It can contaminate waterways and damage septic systems.
• Don't burn paint or paint thinner.
• Don't put liquid paint in the trash or recycling bin.
• Don't mix different chemicals together trying to dispose of them.

Transporting paint safely

• Make sure lids are on tight. Tap them down with a rubber mallet.
• Put cans upright in a sturdy box or plastic tub so they won't tip.
• Keep paint in the trunk or truck bed, not the passenger area.
• Keep products in their original containers with labels if possible.
• Drive straight to the drop-off, especially in hot weather.

Rusted or unlabeled cans

Cans that are badly rusted or leaking can be set inside a larger container or sturdy plastic bag. Don't try to transfer unknown contents. Tell the drop-off staff what you have. They see mystery cans all the time.

Quick recap

1. Check the label: latex or oil-based?
2. Use it up or give away what's still good.
3. Dry out small amounts of latex if your local rules allow trash disposal.
4. Take oil-based paint, thinners and spray paint to HHW or a paint drop-off.
5. In participating states, use a paint stewardship drop-off site.

Find paint and hazardous waste drop-offs near you on our map with paint and HHW turned on, or read the shorter paint disposal guide.