Storing stains and finishes at home
What EPA says about containers, labels, and keeping finishes out of reach.
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Stored products
EPA says: "Paints, varnishes and wax all contain organic solvents." EPA says these products "can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored."
Containers and labels
EPA says: "Never store hazardous products in food containers; keep them in their original containers and never remove labels."
Buy what you will use
EPA says to "buy in quantities that you will use soon."
Out of reach
EPA says to "Keep out of reach of children and pets."
Used rags are not storage
Massachusetts' Department of Fire Services says: "The oils in some paints, stains, and varnishes release heat as they dry. If oily rags and applicators are left in a pile, a box, or the trash, the heat can remain trapped and cause a fire that quickly spreads to nearby combustibles." Follow the label and your local fire officials.
This is general information, not legal or safety advice.
Sources: EPA, Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality; EPA, Household Hazardous Waste (HHW); Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (mass.gov), Disposing of oily rags.
FAQ
General information only. Follow every product label and increase ventilation when you finish, as EPA advises. State fire and health agencies warn that rags used with some oil-based stains and finishes can catch fire on their own: never leave them in a pile, and dry and dispose of them as the label and your local fire officials direct. CPSC says to anchor furniture with drawers, doors, and shelves to the wall. In an emergency, call 911.
Next: leftover finish
Check local collection first.
