Can Do

My basement cleaning and decluttering project continues.  Recently I've turned my attention to a large collection of cans of leftover latex paint on the floor under one of the wooden shelves.  The cans range in age from a few months to a couple of decades old.  

My first step was to separate the old stuff from the current colors (which I'll keep for touch up work).  Even after removing some of the cans I still had a lot left.  Latex paint isn't considered a hazardous waste (as long as it's completely dried out) but I hate to send things to the landfill so I tried to get rid of the unwanted paint without putting it in the trash.  However, I found out that our local Habitat for Humanity store no longer accepts used paint, and when my search for a charity organization or school to donate it to didn't pan out I was forced to start disposing of it.

Each week I bring a few cans out to the garage and open the lids to take a look at the contents.  Many of them are already completely dried out.  Those cans can go (without lids) straight into the trash can.  I set the others along the wall so the contents can solidify. Most of the cans only have a couple of inches of paint in them and dry quickly.

Others need the help of an absorbent material.  A quick internet search revealed that cat litter quickly does the trick.  I know they meant fresh litter, but I've found that the clumps I'm always removing from the litter box anyway work too.  And there's an endless supply.