As the saying goes, “there’s no use crying over spilled milk.” But what if what you spilled was a little more troublesome than just a dairy product? What if you spilled paint or motor oil? Sometimes, we take for granted that our homes are filled with countless chemical materials that can be an absolute pain to clean up.

 

When hazardous materials get spilled, time is of the essence! The last thing you want is to waste precious moments wondering *how* you should approach cleanup before you finally take action. We here at LASAN have assembled a brief cleaning guide for when you spill something you really shouldn’t have! This instructional is mostly for fresh, still-wet spills, but just in case, we’ve also linked resources below to help you deal with older spills and get those tricky splotches or stains out, too!

 

 

Cleaning Up Household Hazardous Waste – General Best Practices

 

 

  • Always use protection. Household hazardous waste is called that for a reason – even water-based paint can contain toxic pigments. Stay on the safe side by wearing rubber gloves and/or foot coverings when dealing with spilled items.
  • It’s too toxic to trash.  You might think putting something like paint down the sink or in the trash can is harmless. However, the reality is that chemicals found in hazardous waste, when illegally or improperly disposed of, can be released into the environment, leading to contamination of our air, water, and even the food we consume. Some hazardous materials also have the potential to explode or cause fires, posing a threat to both animals and human populations. Instead, make sure to bring those items to your local S.A.F.E. (Solvents/Automotive/Flammables/Electronics) Collection Center, where they can take care of the proper handling and disposal of these substances for you.
  • Washing away doesn’t work! Similarly, it might be tempting to simply hose off any outdoor spills into a nearby catch basin. However, washing chemicals into our storm drains is a key source of stormwater pollution. Instead, make sure to keep absorbent items on hand for cleaning up nasty spills.   

 

Cleaning up Paint

 

Paint is specifically designed to stick and stay stuck – so it’s imperative to strike while the iron is hot and clean up any paint spills before they dry. Warm, soapy water and a rag that you don’t mind ruining are your best friends for cleaning up still-wet paint spills. In general it’s a good idea to blot the paint away and scoop up the excess – scrubbing immediately can spread the paint around without actually removing it. 

 

Only start scrubbing once the majority of paint is removed. In the case of carpet spills, you should never scrub, only blot and scrape. Scrubbing paint on carpet will only spread the paint around and work it into the carpet fibers, making it even harder to remove in the future

 

If your paint spill has dried or gotten gummy, you can click here for a guide on how to remove dried paint from various household surfaces.

 

Cleaning up Motor Oil

 

Motor oil is notorious for leaving nasty discolored splotches on the concrete of garages and driveways. If you can catch these spills before they dry, the best solution comes to us courtesy of our feline friends: kitty litter.

 

Kitty litter is highly absorbent and can leach those oil spills right up off the concrete like magic. All you have to do is sprinkle a thin layer on top of the still-wet spill and leave it to sit for a couple days. Then, brush the litter into a heavy duty and sealable bag and take it to your local S.A.F.E. Center. If any markings from the spill still remain, just apply more litter and repeat the process. You can keep doing this until it doesn’t even look like there was a spill in the first place.

 

Cleaning up Pesticides

 

Pesticides often pose a myriad of dangers to humans as well as pests. Here are the specific, extra steps you should take when dealing with these particular garden spills:

 

  1. Make sure children and pets are kept far away from the spill.
  2. Wear disposable gloves and cover your shoes with plastic bags so that you do not track chemicals around.
  3. Try to contain the spill so that it does not flow very far.
  4. Place absorbent materials on top of the spill. Cat litter or sawdust work best but newspapers, paper towels or rags you don’t like very much will also work in a pinch. After you’ve let these absorbent materials work their magic, carefully place and seal them inside a plastic bag.
  5. Clean the area with heavy-duty detergent or bleach – pesticides are infamous for their ability to stick around. (Please note that bleach is itself also a hazardous waste, so use these materials sparingly and make sure to absorb up any excess using the kitty litter and/or absorbent rag methods. And of course make sure to dispose of these soiled materials at your local S.A.F.E. Center).
  6. Wash yourself and your clothing thoroughly. 
  7. Properly dispose of the plastic bag containing the pesticide-saturated absorbents by bringing it to a local S.A.F.E. Center.

 

Unlike oil and paint which can reasonably be removed while dry, pesticides can leach into the surrounding environment and cause long term harm. Make sure to deal with them quickly and thoroughly, and always have a plan in place for what to do if they spill. Click here for more information on pesticide safety in LA County.

 

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In our daily lives, accidents happen, and sometimes we find ourselves facing spills of hazardous materials like paint, motor oil or pesticides. Remember, time is crucial when dealing with these spills, and prompt action can make a significant difference in preventing environmental contamination and harm to both human and animal populations.

 

Share your experiences and stories of responsible household hazardous waste management at lastormwater@lacity.org! Let’s take action and make a positive difference in our communities and the environment.