By
eHow Home & Garden Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Paint
Step1
Prevent air from contacting the paint surface (and forming a skin) when resealing the can. Cut a circle of wax paper or aluminum foil and float it on top of the remaining paint. Wipe down the rim, then put the lid on very tightly by tapping with a rubber mallet.
Step2
Brush a line of paint on the can's exterior to show both the level remaining and the paint color. Jot a note on the side with a permanent marker that tells you when and where you bought it and which room it's used in.
Step3
Pour a small portion of any leftover paint into a Mason jar. When you need to make small touch-ups, you won't have to open and reseal the main container. Label the jar with the paint color or mixing formula, the room it's used in and the date.
Other items
Step1
Keep gasoline in a tightly sealed, prominently labeled container in a cool location separate from your residence. A detached garage or storage building is far preferable to a basement or an attached porch. Gasoline vapors are invisible and will spread rapidly from room to room if released.
Step2
Store other hazardous materials (drain opener, rust and lime removers, oven cleaners) in their original containers and out of the reach of children, making sure that the labels are clearly visible. Choose well-ventilated storage areas for materials that might produce vapors and fumes, and never store in the same area as a gas water heater. Keep them away from food, including pet food. Contamination can occur even if the chemical is not in direct contact with the food.
Step3
Store chemicals out of direct sunlight because some are photodegradable (they break down when exposed to sunlight) and can lose their potency. Keep them at room temperature--some chemicals can release harmful vapors if stored at high temperatures, even if the lid is tight-fitting.
