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How to clean up paint spills

Professional painters and even the most seasoned DIYers will have dealt with all manner of paint spills and splatters over the years. Although preferably avoided, these drips and drops are part of the gig and unfortunately have the potential to cause damage to whatever they land on, whether that be your carpets, car and floor. Resene Paint Expert Jay Sharples tells us how to deal with spills swiftly and successfully, and also provides handy tips to prevent spilling the paint in the first place.

Avoid at all costs

While it might seem obvious, Jay urges you to not spill paint in the first place as it can be tricky to clean up. When moving paint in the car, always take extreme care and place it in a very safe location – like the footwell or your car boot. The paint can shouldn’t be able to move around, otherwise it could be jolted and tip or spill. “A little bit of forward thinking can prevent a large bill from the car cleaners,” says Jay. Jamming something beside it should hold it in place, or the other alternative is to place it in a boot and again secure it either in a box (for cans) or with other heavy items to keep it in place.

In the bag

When you purchase paint from your local Resene ColorShop, the staff can always supply you with one of their handy black reusable carrier bags. If the worst does happen on your car journey, the split paint is trapped safely and securely inside the bag – not on your car.

Walk the walk

Whenever you’re carrying an open paint can or paint pot, especially inside, place something underneath it, like a piece of old cardboard. This will help to catch any drips or sloshing over the side that may occur while walking.

Spoons are a handy tool for scooping spilled paint off carpet.

Using two pieces of cardboard is also an effective method of removing a paint spill from concrete or other hard surfaces.

Make big moves and cover up

Before you start painting inside your home, shift as much furniture out of the way as possible. This not only makes it easier to move around the room freely as you paint, but of course keeps your belongings clean. While drop cloths are incredibly effective at protecting surfaces, paint can sometimes sneak into the gaps if you’re not careful.

Use painter’s tape and drop cloths to mask and cover up anything you don’t want to get paint on. Work around the room thoroughly, paying careful attention to all surfaces. You can lay a plastic drop cloth down fast then a canvas Resene drop cloth over the top. It’s best to have a canvas one on top as plastic can get slippery if you spill paint on it and then step on it. After your job is done, let the drop cloths dry out and store them for your next project.

Put a lid on it

Between jobs or when you’re not painting, make sure your paint lid is on securely. As well as minimising the chance of spills, it prevents your paint forming a skin, and keeping air out the paint can is your first line of defence against dust and dirt contaminating the product. Use a rubber mallet to tap the lid into place. Don’t use a hammer, as these can potentially damage the lid and prevent it from sealing correctly in the future.

Keep your DIY space free of kids and pets

Curious children and pets are some of the most common causes of unwanted paint spills. If you can, get someone else to mind them while you are doing the DIY. If you do paint with kids and pets around, it’s best to avoid leaving paint pots or roller trays with paint in them on the floor or anywhere low enough to be reached by little hands or paws.

Solventborne paints will generally need to be cleaned with mineral turps but be sure to check the back of the paint container for the recommended clean up information.

Covering the spill with an absorbent material like kitty litter is a good option if you want the paint to be absorbed so you can easily pick it up, or you could use a Resene Envirowise Disposal and Spill Kit.

Time is of the essence

Remember that accidents do happen, so if the worst does occur, it’s important to act as swiftly as you can to clean up spills while the paint is still wet. Spoons are excellent for scooping up paint from carpet, while two pieces of cardboard can be used on concrete or hard surfaces.

You can also cover the spill with an absorbent material like kitty litter or one of the Resene Envirowise Disposal and Spill Kits available at Resene ColorShops.

The solvent solution

Now you’ll need to clean off any remaining paint with a solvent. The type of solvent needed will depend on the type of paint that was spilt. Waterborne paints will usually just need water, while solventborne paints will need mineral turps. But as Jay advises, “It’s best to check on the back of the pail for more information.” If you are cleaning something that may be sensitive, such as fabric, try the solution on an inconspicuous area first.

Pro tips

Are you still on the tools with your paint job? Resene has some tips and tricks to help you clean up and minimise waste.

When you’ve finished painting using waterborne paint, wipe or squeeze excess paint from brushes and roller sleeves onto old rags, shredded newspaper or cardboard. Allow it to dry and dispose of it in your household waste.
Wash brushes, rollers and other equipment in a large pail. Transfer washed items to another container filled with clean water for a final rinse. Leave liquid in the first container overnight. By morning, the paint solids will have settled at the bottom of the container. Gently pour the liquid on top onto the ground, where there’s no risk of it running off to streams or stormwater drains. Scrape out the paint solids from the bottom of the container onto old rags or newspaper. When dry, throw these out in your household rubbish.