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This Is What Happens When You Pour Paint Down Your Drain
By NATALIE FRANCISCO
Acrylic and oil paints give off toxic fumes that can cause health issues, and oil-based paints also contain volatile organic compounds that can lead to symptoms like headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. When the paint is poured down a drain, it sticks to the sides of the pipes, hardens, and creates untraceable clogs that can ruin your entire septic system.
If you realize your mistake right away, you can pour a cleaner down the drain to break down the paint before it dries. Paint brushes shouldn't be washed in the sink either — use a separate container instead. The correct way to dispose of paint depends on the type of formula — oil and acrylic paints, for example, should be taken to your local hazardous waste and recycling center.
As for latex paint, spread out a roll of painter's plastic, pour the paint over it, and dispose of it in the regular trash after it dries. This method is acceptable, because latex paints are water-based, whereas oil and acrylic paints contain chemicals that should be kept separate from ordinary municipal trash.