How to Dispose of Old Paint in Arizona
- junkpullersaz
- Oct 16
- 2 min read
Got leftover paint cans sitting in the garage? You’re not alone. Most people have no idea what to do with them — and you can’t just toss wet paint in the trash. It needs to be hardened first.
Here’s how to safely dispose of old paint yourself, and when it makes more sense to just call Junk Pullers to take care of it.
Why You Can’t Throw Away Wet Paint
Liquid paint is considered household hazardous waste. If it ends up in the landfill, it can leak, contaminate soil, and even affect groundwater. That’s why it must be completely dry before your trash company can pick it up.
Once it’s hardened, though? It’s totally fine to go in your regular trash or landfill drop-off.
Option 1: Let Arizona’s Sun Do the Work
If you only have a small amount left, our desert heat can actually do the job for you.
How to do it:
Take the lid off the can and place it in a sunny, ventilated spot.
For a thin layer (an inch or two deep), the paint will dry solid in close to 24 hours during summer.
Once it’s completely hardened — no liquid left — it’s safe for the regular trash.
Pro tip: Avoid doing this in a garage or enclosed space. The fumes need to escape, and the sun’s heat is what makes this method work.
Option 2: Use Paint Hardener for Faster Results
For thicker amounts or multiple cans, the quickest and cleanest method is using paint hardener.
Here’s how:
Buy a packet of commercial paint hardener from any hardware store.
Pour it into your leftover paint and stir.
Wait 15–30 minutes. It’ll turn into a gel-like or solid mass.
Throw the hardened paint (lid off) into your regular trash.
This works great for latex and water-based paint.If you’re dealing with oil-based paint, you’ll need to bring it to a hazardous waste site — or we can handle it for you.
Option 3: Let Junk Pullers Handle It for You
If you’ve got multiple cans, old paint from a remodel, or you’d rather not mess with chemicals and cleanup — we’ve got you covered.
At Junk Pullers Junk Removal & Demolition, we:
Use professional-grade hardeners for safe disposal.
Accept both latex and oil-based paints.
Follow all local and state disposal regulations.
Handle pickup, transport, and disposal for you — start to finish.
You don’t have to lift a finger or worry about spills. We’ll handle the hard stuff (literally).
Paint Disposal Quick Guide
Paint Type | DIY Option | Can Junk Pullers Take It? |
Latex / Water-Based | Dry it out or use hardener | ✅ Yes |
Oil-Based / Stains / Varnish | Hazardous waste site | ✅ Yes |
Mixed or Unlabeled Cans | Play it safe — call us | ✅ Yes |
A Final Tip
Next time you wrap up a paint job, label your cans clearly (like “Bedroom – Eggshell White”) and keep only what you’ll need for touch-ups. Everything else? We’ll haul it off for you and make sure it’s disposed of properly.
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