Think Twice Before Painting These 10 Items Around The House

Dipping a brush in your favorite can of paint or shaking a bottle of spray paint to give your household items a small makeover can breathe new life into them without burning a hole in your pocket. While unconventional paint hacks and expert tutorial videos have made such projects simple, accessible, and DIY-friendly, a fresh coat of paint isn't the answer to all of life's problems (like ice cream and chocolate!). Thus, you should think twice before painting a few items around the house, such as cutlery. Even though paint can spruce up your silverware and give it a new and funky look, it's best to steer clear of staining it since paint isn't safe for consumption and should be avoided at all costs. 

Similarly, you can stain antique wood furniture to restore its former glory or give it a contemporary look, but paint will irrevocably alter its appearance. This might not be a big deal if the fixture has seen better days, and you just want to use it around your home for the foreseeable future. However, it might negatively affect the furnishing's resale value if the original material (think mahogany, cherry, and satinwood) is valuable and in good shape. That being said, here are some other household items you'd be better off not painting.

Painting your old cookware can be a tempting offer. After all, who wouldn't want to touch up the less-than-stellar pieces and make them look new again? However, refrain from giving in to temptation, and don't use paint on any item you use to prepare food — like pots, pans, and microwaveable dishes. Since the chemicals in paint can leak into your food, it can cause health issues. For instance, a mild dosage of water-based paints — such as tempera, latex, and poster — could irritate your skin and mouth. But higher quantities can lead to more serious problems, and the solvents in oil-based paints can lead to poisoning.

Thus, it's best to leave your cookware alone and keep them away from paint. Replace the old ones that have begun chipping and invest in sturdy pieces, like those made of stainless steel, to ensure they last you a few years. Besides, don't throw out your old dishware. Use enamel spray paint to give them a fresh look. After the coat dries, strategically place them around the house to repurpose them as showpieces or as holding spots for your knick-knacks like car keys and loose change. Note: You should also replace Teflon-coated dishware when the upper coating begins peeling off, as it could be harmful if consumed.

Painting your hardwood floors might initially seem like a straightforward and fun project, but things can go awry very quickly if you don't know what you're doing. You'll need to consider the type of wood, its current stain, the underflooring, and any imperfections. The prep work involves sanding the surface, filling cracks and gaps, fixing scratches, staining, and sealing the wood. Moreover, you have to be cognizant of the type of paint finish you use on your wood flooring. Think matte, semi-gloss, and eggshell finishes. You'll also have to get paint that's manufactured specifically for floors.

The buck doesn't end here. Even if you follow the prep process down to a T and use high-quality paint, chances are it'll begin peeling after only a few years in high-traffic areas. Though this problem is not difficult to take care of, it's not a one-and-done project either. Further, if you want to go back to the original shade a few years down the line, that won't be a realistic option. So, getting a professional to refinish your wooden flooring is better than undertaking this DIY job and possibly damaging it in the process.

Smoke detectors are essential for detecting smoke and triggering a warning to the occupants. Admittedly, you'll have to quiet your chirpy smoke alarm in cases of false positives, but these devices shouldn't be tampered with otherwise, as that could compromise its functionality and your safety. So, if you're thinking of painting them to make them look beautiful, don't do it. The layer of paint will impede airflow and restrict the amount of smoke entering the device. This will make detecting a fire difficult for the detector, putting you at risk. The same applies to carbon monoxide detectors.

This is the reason smoke detectors usually come with a "DO NOT PAINT" warning label; heed that and don't attempt to paint them. In case they get painted over when you're applying a fresh coat on your ceiling, replace them at once. If you don't like the sterile ones, you can even get a colored piece that'll be easier to match with the ceiling and won't stand out much.

If your bathtub looks worn down and has numerous small scratches across its surface, a fresh coat of paint can work wonders for it. But that's where the fun ends and the work begins. Painting a bathtub requires extensive prepping, including sanding its surface, using epoxy putty to cover unsightly gaps, and applying primer and two thin coats of paint before buffing the surface. Though the list of activities seems doable and a fun DIY project, it's anything but. Further, the constant heat and moisture will make it hard for the paint to last. To make matters worse, if the paint cracks and isn't treated adequately, it could become a hotbed for mold, putting your bathtub and bathroom out of commission.

Given the prep required and the potential for mold down the road if the paint job isn't performed properly, refinishing a bathtub might be best left to experts or experienced DIY-ers who understand the requirements well and can adhere to them. The materials they use and their superior technique will help your refinished tub last longer. The best part, though? The accompanying warranty will make it easier for you if the tub needs to be touched up after some time. However, if your budget allows, it'd be better to spring for a new bathtub and sell the old one.

Given the significant rise in the price of upholstered furniture, painting your old chairs could seem like an excellent idea. However, instead of rushing into the project and spraying your furniture with your favorite color, you need to consider a few factors — like the type of paint — if you don't want to turn your worn but drab chair into a stiff and uncomfortable seat. For instance, you don't want to use latex or acrylic paints on the fabric if you'd rather not sit on a rigid surface.

Begin by cleaning and vacuuming the fabric to get rid of the accumulated dirt, dust, and grease. Next, purchase a few cans of upholstery-specific paint or spray bottles in a shade of your liking (just ensure it's darker than the current hue). Since upholstered fabrics are incredibly absorbent, you'll need a lot of paint to change the color. After you've got the paint, spot-test an inconspicuous area before you begin painting the chair in earnest. If the spot test yields positive results, apply multiple coats (until you see the color you want), allowing the fabric time to dry after each coat.