It can be tricky to figure out how you are supposed to dispose of any remaining paint you may have leftover, when you are finished with your artwork. Do you just throw it away, do you wash it down the drain, or is there another way you are supposed to dispose of it?
When it comes to paints that are water-based, there is still a risk associated with them when you are disposing of them down the drain. So how do you dispose of gouache paint? The easiest way to dispose of gouache paint is to collect it in a jar and allow the paint to harden up. You can then cover the can and dispose of them in the trash. If you have a significant amount of paint, you can also buy a paint hardener and dispose of the paint once it’s fully dry.
With gouache paint and other water-based paints, the potential of damaging your drains is nowhere near as high as oil-based products, but water-based paints still contain pigments that can be potentially hazardous to the environment. Int his article we go over everything you need to know to properly dispose of gouache paint.
Can You Pour Gouache Paint Down the Drain?
While you can technically dispose of your gouache paint down the drain, it is not recommended that you do. The paint does not pose a threat to your plumbing, but it is not exactly safe for the environment due to the pigments that is in the paint.
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Disposing of the paint scrapings is easy, but how can you dispose of your rinse water if you are not supposed to pour it down the drain? Luckily, there is an easy solution to this problem. The easiest way to dispose of your rinse water is with the help of coffee filters and a bowl.
To do this properly, you will need to run the water through a coffee filter into the bowl. You will need to repeat this process as many times as necessary until the water is clear in the bowl. When the water is clear, you can empty it down the drain. The pigments will be caught in the coffee filter, and once the filter is dry you can throw it away.
Another way you can get rid of the rinse water is by collecting it in an open jar or container. As the water settles in the jar, the solid paint particles will settle towards the bottom and the water will rise to the top. The water can then be disposed of down the drain, and the solid particles can be disposed of as stated above.
A more ethical way of disposing gouache paint is with the help of a paint hardener. Paint hardener make it easy to get rid of left over paint, but simply adding the hardener to your paints, tubs of paints, and even scrapings. I recommend Waste Away Paint Hardener, because it comes with 12 packs, and its environmentally safe for disposal.
If you need to dispose of all of your paint, or large amounts of it then I recommend using XSORB Solid Paint Hardener. This 23 lb. bag will definitely do the job for large amounts of paint. It’s also eco-friendly and non-toxic.
How Do You Remove Gouache Paint?
The process of removing gouache paint is pretty simple because it is a water-based paint. The first thing you will need to do is get a clean cloth or sponge and get it wet with cool water. Next, you will just blot the paint with the cloth or sponge starting from the edge of the paint. If the paint is dry, this could take a little bit more time.
When the paint is wet enough that you can see the pigment on your cloth or sponge, you will need to ring it out. You do not want the cloth or sponge to be too wet because the pigment will absorb better into a damp cloth than a soaking wet one.
You will want to regularly rinse the sponge or cloth to get rid of any residue from the lifted paint. After each rinse, you need to ring out the cloth or sponge to keep it from being too wet. After you have completely removed the gouache paint, dry the surface.
To properly dry the surface, you will need to dab away the moisture with a dry cloth. When your material is completely dry, you can paint on it again if needed.
How to Remove a Spill
If you are dealing with a gouache paint spill, clean it up before the paint dries. It will take you way less time and effort to clean up a spill before the paint dries because the pigments will absorb into a cloth or sponge easier when it is still wet.
It is important to keep in mind that you should not rub the paint to remove it. When you rub the paint, it will push the pigments further into the material instead of lifting it out. You need to dab instead of rub to remove the paint to make sure it is actually getting removed instead of getting pushed further down into the carpet, rug, or furniture.
When you are finished cleaning up the spill, you can use a fan to dry the area. This will be efficient if the spill was on a carpet, rug, or furniture. When the area is dry, the stain should be gone.
Is Gouache Paint Recyclable?
Gouache paint, along with most other types of paint, are not considered to be fit for recycling. This includes both the paint itself and paper with the paint on it. Even though gouache paint is water-based, the water that is used for these paints damages paper fibers. When the paper fibers are damaged, it makes paper ineligible for recycling.
You cannot recycle the paint alone, either. Most paints will contain materials that should not be put in the recycling bin because they can’t be processed properly. If you have unused paint that you are trying to get rid of, it is best not to throw it away or recycle it. There are organizations you can take the unused paint to that will reuse it in a safe manner.
Is Gouache Paint Bad for the Environment?
Gouache paint is typically made with non-toxic binders, which makes it safe for use by children. However, paints that are labelled as non-toxic are safe for human use, but not necessarily safe for the environment. For example, gouache paint will sometimes have propylene glycol in it.
Propylene glycol is an ingredient that is safe for humans to consume and use in makeup, but it is known to have an awful effect in any kind of aquatic environment. That means if you pour a paint with propylene glycol down the drain, it will be damaging to surrounding waterways.
Final Thoughts
Disposing of any kind of paint properly can be hard to figure out. It might seem easiest to just pour the paint down the drain, but this is not the best way to dispose of gouache paint. The ingredients in the paint can be damaging to the environment, so you need to take the time to dispose of the paint properly.
To properly dispose of gouache paint, you will need a jar or a can. You can put the paint scrapings in the jar or the can when you are finished. You can also purchase a paint hardener and dispose of it that way. Most paint hardeners are eco-friendly and safe.
Even though gouache paint is non-toxic, it can still be damaging to the environment. You will want to make sure you dispose of your paint in a way that is safe for you and the environment alike. The process is easy and will only take you a few minutes.
Don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!