The Painting Hack That'll Make Sure You Don't Create Excess Waste

If you're gearing up for your next painting project, you'll want to take extra precautions so as not to waste leftover paint. You can do so by implementing one genius TikTok hack: the paint stirrer. It comes with curved edges so you can easily remove excess paint from your roller. You'll also be able to better clean rollers for future use, saving you from having to toss them and purchase more for your next project.

A gallon of paint can cost upwards of $50, if not more. Some non-toxic, high-quality paint brands can cost as much as $70 a gallon, which is why you should try and save as much excess paint as possible. But paint waste isn't the only reason you need to try this TikTok paint hack. Any time you load up your roller with an abundance of paint, it can lead to unsightly drips all over your walls (or furniture, depending on the surface you're redoing). Once these drips dry, your only options are to ignore the streaks, hang DIY budget wall art to hide the imperfections, or sand the bumpy spots smooth and start again. If this feels like a lot of work, that's because it is. But thanks to this incredible trick, you can save excess paint while applying the perfect coat of color to any surface. 

To carry out this incredible paint hack, you simply need to use the curved side of your paint stirrer, scraping off any excess paint from the roller back into the can. You can use this trick both while painting and during cleanup — before hosing off your rollers, scrape as much paint as possible off them. Then, after they dry thoroughly, you can reuse them during your next painting project. Just remember to rinse the rollers off outside if possible, as paint can quickly cure inside plumbing, leading to clogs. It can also contaminate and pollute local water sources, so always avoid putting it down the drain as well. 

If you're looking to save even more paint, you can place a piece of aluminum foil over the top of your paint can. Poke a hole in it and pour the paint into the plastic tray this way, which will prevent it from mucking up the can's rim. This is also an excellent way of encouraging unused paint to flow back into the paint can, and not down the sides and onto the floor. When coupled with this amazing TikTok paint stirrer hack, you'll save yourself money while eliminating waste.