The old DIY items to throw away right now - and the ones you can recycle and reuse

If you're not sure what to do with old DIY supplies, we've got you covered. It's not always easy to know whether items can be recycled, or if you can get away with using them on your next upcycle.

• See also: 35 DIY projects – easy ideas for beginners and budget-friendly to boot

No one wants to create unnecessary waste, so MattressNextDay looked at which items we should get rid of right away, and what's fine to reuse.

Old paint

If your paint has separated, don't use it, because it could give you an inconsistent color and finish. If you're about to redecorate, read our guide on how to paint a room to help you get it done quickly.

What to do with it:

Recycle it - unfortunately, old paint can’t be resurrected and needs to be taken to a local recycling centre. This is because liquid paint is banned from landfills. 

The paint will also need to be hard. It’s easy to speed up the hardening process if you need to - simply add some sawdust, soil or sand and leave it to solidify.

Hardened paintbrushes

Just like old paint, a hardened paintbrush can lead to streaks or inconsistent colouring on your walls or furniture.

What to do with it:

Reuse it, but only once you've fixed it with fabric softener. To do this, remove the excess paint from the brush as much as you can. 

Next, fill a bowl with ¼ fabric softener, and the rest (¾) water. Swirl the paintbrush around in this mixture. Once clean, rinse and leave the brushes to dry horizontally on a flat surface. 

If they’re left upright, the water will seep into the handle and damage the brush.

Painting an old chest of drawers or kitchen chair? Take a look at our roundup of the best paint for furniture.

Old wood

DIY tasks can spark excitement, but before you reuse old bits of wood, check carefully for mould. Wood soaks up water easily, creating mould.

Recycle it by heading to the best wood recycling centre in your local area. In the future, always store any wood off the ground and in a dry environment.

Old tools that haven’t been serviced

All tools have a limited lifespan and can be dangerous. 

What to do with it:

Replace old, un-serviced tools to prevent any hazards from occurring. Get your tools checked and serviced at least once a year for peace of mind. 

Some tell-tale signs of a tool to discard include fraying cords, loose fittings, or rusting on a blade. However, a simple rule is that if it doesn’t look right, just don’t use it.

Wallpaper paste

When making wallpaper paste, make sure that you mix just the amount you need, and no more. It has a very limited shelf-life of just one to two weeks, and that’s only if it’s kept in an airtight container.

What to do with it:

Reuse it if you can. If you're doing some wallpapering, check out our guide on how to wallpaper a wall to make the process headache-free.

If your wallpaper paste is too runny, then it’s no longer of use and should be replaced.