13 Simple Paint Hacks That Make Painting Your Home So Much Easier

Stop Your Paint-Can Lid From Getting Stuck

There's a reason paint-can lids can become so difficult to remove after you've used them a few times. Every time you pour paint or wipe your brush, some of it can find its way into the groove around the top of the can. As the paint dries, it creates a sticky layer between the lid and the can. Eventually, putting the lid back on becomes part of the problem.

One clever way to reduce this buildup is to create several small drainage holes around the inner rim of the can. Using a nail and hammer, carefully make a few small holes around the rim. The idea is that excess paint collecting in that groove can drain back into the can instead of sitting there and drying. You'll want to do this carefully and avoid damaging the actual sealing surface of the can.

The result is a rim that's less likely to become packed with dried paint. And there's another reason this can help: a cleaner rim means the lid has a better chance of sitting properly when you're finished. It's one of those tiny preparation tricks that doesn't feel important while you're painting. But when you're standing in front of a paint can months later, trying to pry off a lid that's practically glued shut, you'll suddenly understand why keeping that rim clean matters.