How to store turpentine safely?

BH Yom Yom

Wed, Jun 07 2023, 9:38 pm

Someone put it in the food pantry so I moved it out to the garage, but I am still nervous about it. It’s in a plastic bag for now. Anyone know the best way to keep it?

I wish we had gotten something less stinky and flammable. Banging head

zaq

Thu, Jun 08 2023, 2:46 am

Is this at home or at work? Why do you have it at all unless you're having the place painted? How big is the container? The garage is not a good place unless it's air conditioned. You want to keep it cool. Flammables in hot garages are a major fire hazard.

I wouldn't keep it in a food pantry because of the remote possibility of contamination of the food, but you're better off storing it in an air conditioned office than in a garage. I assume you're talking about a small container like a pint, and not a five gallon drum.

The best place for it is in an OSHA-compliant flammable liquids storage cabinet vented to the outdoors, but these are expensive, and small volumes don't require such a cabinet. Next best is a sturdy metal cabinet with doors that lock. If nobody is actually using the stuff, best thing is to give it away to someone who needs it right now. Craigslist may help you find someone. Failing that, bring it to a hazardous waste disposal event sponsored by the local sanitation department.

Practically speaking, if this is something that's used regularly in small volume, buy the smallest container you can get and store in a cool spot away from food. Do NOT store in a fridge unless it's explosion-proof.

BH Yom Yom

Thu, Jun 08 2023, 3:54 pm

Thank you, zaq! In the end, I was able to convince the paint department at Home Depot to take it back because we only used a tiny bit and I told them I don’t need a refund, I just need it out of the house because we have small children and asthma runs in the family. The smell is overwhelming even with the stuff sealed and in a bag. I don’t know how painters deal with the stench every day.