The Unnecessary Tool You Should Skip If You Want To Save Money On Your Next Paint Project

A paint project can be a big undertaking, and the best tools to use are the ones that you know work well. The classic saying goes "less is more," and that's exactly the case when it comes to tools for mixing paint. There are paint mixer gadgets and drill attachments for stirring paint, but they're not needed — don't spend the extra money on them and grab a simple wooden paint stirring stick instead.

Mixing paint is a requirement to make sure the color looks its best and each stroke will have consistent color throughout. A paint stirring stick will do the trick and can easily be found at your local paint store for super cheap. You may even get one for free when you purchase a can of paint. Stirring sticks are simple to use and help avoid splattering that can happen with mixer gadgets. They're long and thin, which makes it easy to reach and mix every inch of paint in the can.

Some may think stirring with a paint stick can be a bit more time consuming than using a mixer gadget. But honestly, you're not saving that much time at all. And, if you're doing a DIY paint job, it's worth the extra minute or so to make sure the paint is properly stirred.

When you're done using a paint stirrer stick, keep it on hand and use it again for your next paint project. Or, you can opt for one of the multiple ways to repurpose the paint stirrer and use it around the house. Paint sticks can serve many purposes beyond simply mixing paint, and they're good to keep on hand throughout the entire painting project. Their thin, slim size makes stir sticks the perfect tool for painting tight spaces, like behind large appliances or in a tricky room corner. You won't need to spend money buying a variety of smaller paint brushes, and you're helping the environment by reusing the stirrers instead of discarding them after one use.

If your paint stick is too worn out or damaged and you're pressed for a cheap way to stir quickly, consider using this zip tie hack that conveniently mixes paint. It involves tying three zip ties to your drill bit. With each pointing in a different direction like a propeller, this forms a DIY paint stirring gadget.