Mineral spirit or white spirit (also known as mineral turpentine, substitute for turpentine, solvent naphtha, etc.), is a kerosene-based solvent. This solvent is usually used with paint products for art and decoration. Immediately after using mineral spirit to thin paint or cleaning paint brushes, you can either save it for later use or find a hazardous waste facility that can dispose of the liquid responsibly without contaminating groundwater in your environment.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Reusing Spirit Minerals
Step 1. Leave the mineral spirit in its original container after you are done using it
Seal the lid as tightly as possible. Place the container of mineral spirits away from any areas where there is a heat source.
Mineral spirits become hot and ignite at 41 to 63 °C
Step 2. Leave the mineral spirit in a sealed container for the next few months
Mineral spirit doesn't "deteriorate," so you don't have to throw it away after using it as a paint solvent. Let the mineral spirit settle down, and the paint will sink to the bottom of the container.
The best thing to do with mineral spirits is to buy them in small quantities and reuse them for a decade. The liquid evaporates very slowly
Step 3. Open the lid, then pour the diluted mineral spirit into a new thick container that is safe for hazardous waste
Label/reuse label immediately. Pour the remaining paint at the bottom into the cat toilet (cat litter - contains bentonite).
- Follow these steps to properly dispose of cat's paint and 'toilet'.
- You can purchase a safe container for storing solvents at an art supply (painting) supply store. Not all plastic containers are suitable for use, because over time the solvent may gradually thin and damage the plastic.
Step 4. Use mineral spirit to thin the oil paint
The solvent can still be used for use with art paints or oil-based house paints. Add a small amount of the solvent until the paint reaches the consistency/thickness you choose.
Add more paint, if perhaps you have added too much solvent. Paint that is too runny may not bond tightly to the canvas. However, using more paint will have the opposite effect
Step 5. Contact your local construction company, arts school or education and skills center to inquire about your intention to donate some mineral spirits
That way, you can prolong the life of the spirit minerals if you have to get rid of them.
Method 2 of 2: Throwing Spirit Minerals
Step 1. Contact your local city council/commission office to inquire about the schedule for the disposal of hazardous materials/waste
Some cities have special disposal days to limit the amount of environmental pollution. There are times when the city government waives fees or is sponsored by a local company.
Step 2. Use a combination of kitty/cat litter or cat litter in your household waste
Step 3. Contact your local land surveyor to see if they handle hazardous waste
If you must get rid of mineral spirits, leave the liquid in its original container and pay a fee to your local agency to dispose of it properly.
Step 4. Pour a large amount of liquid into the cat's 'toilet' container and give it to the earthfill service you contact
Show the contents of the container and pay a fee on request to avoid contamination of groundwater.
Step 5. Do not throw oily paint brushes or washcloths in the trash
These materials can ignite and catch fire. Purchase a special container for oily waste and clean it thoroughly with liquid, then with soap and water.
You can also try to put an oily waste container into a hazardous waste disposal event
Step 6. Leave the empty container open to dry
You can dispose of the container at a recycling center. The remaining residue will not affect the recycling process.
Tips
Purchase special non-flammable storage containers. You can safely store flammable equipment and materials, such as paint, rags, brushes and solvents
Warning
- Never pour mineral spirit into drains or underground pipes. This action can contaminate ground water.
- Be careful not to pour mineral spirit on the ground or into the trash. Mineral spirit should only be properly disposed of at a disposal facility or event that is under management.
