How can I save left-over acrylic artists paint without it getting moldy?
This is a great method of keeping your paints workable while you use them and for up to a couple of days, but beyond that time, mold will grow wherever it’s wet. You could try using cooled water that has been boiled ten minutes – this removes any organisms from the water and may buy you some time, but mold spores are airborne so it won’t eliminate mold. Sadly, mold can also grow in re-sealed bottles. Please use caution – the type of mold that grows on acrylic paints can be highly toxic. Don’t scrape it off and try to use what’s beneath, throw it all away. And be sure to wash your moldy palette out with hot water & a few drops of bleach. When I store pre-mixed paint for long periods, I use small food containers but I place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the paint surface before sealing the jar. This keeps any air from reaching the paint and it never skins over. Some paint adheres to the plastic but it’s better than throwing it all out. You can cover your palette with plastic wrap a
