Sure, summer is the perfect time of year to get out of town and explore some of the world’s many wonders, but that’s not always an option for people. If you are more in the mindset of a ‘staycation’, then it may be time to tackle some of those home projects you’ve been putting off. From turning your backyard space into a welcoming and cozy area for entertaining to giving your bedroom walls a much-needed makeover, there are plenty of ways to spend your days that will leave you feeling good about yourself and your home.
When it comes to painting the interior of your house, there are numerous ways you can keep the environment in mind. In fact, adopting eco-friendly painting practices is just one of the many ways you can go a little greener around the house. From recycling to switching to energy-efficient light bulbs, there are a lot of ways in which you can keep the environment in mind when going about your day-to-day activities.
By using paints and primers with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), you are automatically being more eco-friendly. Furthermore, natural paint brushes are another great tool that will allow you to give your home a style makeover, without the guilty conscience. By doing your best to adopt eco-friendly, sustainable practices when it comes time to paint your home, you will be creating a safe (and modern!) environment that you will be able to enjoy for many years to come.
OK, so you aren’t looking to create a forest green home, but there are still plenty of ways to give props to the environment while painting. Here are a few of the top tips to take into consideration:
- Follow proper disposal instructions. When it comes time to dispose of any excess paint you didn’t use, it is important that you do so correctly. Never pour paint thinners, solvents, or paint itself down the train. When you are done and no longer need these items, put them in a tight-fitting jar or can and have them picked up or delivered to a hazardous waste disposal facility. Improper disposal of paint products is one of the worst things you can do to the environment.
- Reuse, reuse, reuse. We cannot reiterate how important it is to reuse! Many people do not realize this, but paint thinner can be reused for many years. Consider donating long-forgotten paint thinner or stripper to local furniture refinishing stores or even paint contractors.
- Remember to air cans out before disposing them. Even the smallest amount of latex paint left in a can can be hazardous to the environment. Before disposing any old paint cans, make sure you leave them open in a well-ventilated place. Once they are completely dry, you can place the can in the trash for pick-up.
- Do your best to reduce waste. People oftentimes make the mistake of simply discarding or filing away paint that they are no longer using. If you finish your paint project and there is more than half a gallon left, try using it on another project. You can even mix several different colors together to create a different hue that would work better on whatever it is you are considering painting.
There are many different ways to ‘go green’ and reduce your impact on the environment. Many of the things that you can do that are eco-friendly aren’t nearly as complicated as many people may think. When it comes to a common project such as painting a room or a piece of furniture, try adopting the above tips in order to better serve the environment, and yourself.
Feature image courtesy of Iris