<p>Usually tins like this will be fairly well sealed if you re-close them properly, however there will often be a bit of overspill which collects around the top of the  tin from pouring out the contents. </p>

<p>With this in mind it will help a lot of you take the time to wipe up any spills from around the tin before you store it and for anything which leaves a dry residue take special care to clean the threads/ sealing surfaces of the lid as any solid residue may impair the seal (an also make it difficult to open again). </p>

<p>You also need to bear in mind that anything which contains volatile solvents is a substantial fire risk both because their vapours can catch light very easily and because they can dramatically accelerate any fire which does start near them. So storing them in your bedroom may not be ideal from a safety perspective. </p>

<p>If you do have problems with leaked from the supplied containers there are some more robust industrial  type containers available for volatile and flammable liquids which you could consider transferring them to, especially if you have no choice but to store them at home. These may also make it easier to dispense them. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-27T19:30:03.047Z
Ah yes. Forgot to add clean the container after each use.
Matt
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-27T19:10:23.900Z
2016-07-15T19:23:43.020Z
2016-07-15T19:23:43.020Z
Chris Johns
<p>Store any very vaporise liquid at Cold temperatures.  Temperature effects vaporization.  For turpentine a freezer is best. I'd advise any one to first switch it to  another container of known high quality. Off the shelf products may have been damaged in transit from factory to the shelf. I think glass is better than metal cans. No leaky seams. Only fill about 3/4 full. If food stuff is also stored in the freezer a double layer, inner enclosed in an outer container should be used for the chemical. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-10T13:37:46.670Z
Whilst the advice is sound in respect to the chemistry & physical properties, there are issues from health & safety perspective with potential hazardous materials. Nullifying the potentially hazardous scenarios from storing turpentine in a freezer should be addressed in the answer.
BeaglesEnd
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-09T23:45:47.443Z
2017-01-14T18:32:13.087Z
2017-01-14T18:32:13.087Z
george willis
<p>In a general sense it is a very good practice to refer to the material safety data sheets (MSDS) for products like this. The product labels, in theory, should also contain similar information. </p>

<p>MSDSs will always contain more information though. They will break down all the information needed about the product when it comes to safety. It should be safe to assume that <a href="https://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/brands?tbl=brands&amp;id=16025026" rel="nofollow noreferrer">householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov</a> is a good source of this information. I located the sheet for your specific product. Most other MSDS's for turps cover the exact same sentiment as far as storage and handling is concerned. For completeness sake I have also included some basic handling as well in the information quoted below.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>HANDLING:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>Isolate from oxidizers, heat, sparks, electric equipment &amp; open flame. </li>
  <li>Use only with adequate ventilation. Avoid breathing of vapor or spray mist. Avoid prolonged or repeated contact with skin. Wear OSHA Standard goggles or face shield. Consult Safety Equipment Supplier. Wear gloves, apron &amp; footwear impervious to this material. Wash clothing before reuse. </li>
  <li>Avoid free fall of liquid. Ground containers when transferring. </li>
  <li>Do not flame cut, saw, drill, braze, or weld. <strong>Empty container very hazardous! Continue all label precautions!</strong></li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>STORAGE:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>Keep in <strong>fireproof surroundings</strong>. </li>
  <li><strong>Keep separated from strong oxidants, incompatible materials. Keep cool. Keep inside a well-ventilated room</strong>.</li>
  <li>Keep <strong>container tightly closed &amp; upright</strong> when not in use to prevent leakage.</li>
  </ul>
</blockquote>

<p><sup>Text is copied as is. Formatting and emphasis is my own.</sup></p>

<p>Keep it cool, ventilated and away from sources of oxidants and sources of ignition. Ensure the container is seal and cleaned between uses. </p>

<hr>

<p>I am not sure about the cause of the leaking. <a href="https://crafts.stackexchange.com/a/618/44">Chris Johns has a good theory though.</a> Assuming you follow the instructions above it should not happen. </p>

<p>Related I found a <a href="http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1139512" rel="nofollow noreferrer">discussion between users and the smells created by turpentine like yours and artist grade</a>. Consensus is that the "cheap" stuff has a more offending odor </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-27T13:15:13.550Z
2016-05-27T19:31:17.047Z
2017-04-13T12:52:58.053Z
Matt
<p>Is there a proper way to store tins of turpentine? I have attached a picture of the type of container my turpentine comes in:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/tXGAP.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/tXGAP.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>In the past where ever I store the container, turpentine smell would inevitably leak out and it's not really a pleasant smell. Initially I had stored it in the corner of my bedroom closet. I quickly moved it to a storage closet built into the stairwell. It's dark and cooler than room temperature usually.</p>

<p>I also made the mistake of putting the tin of turpentine inside several plastic bags. This helped with the smell that leaked out but when I took the tin out of the plastic bags, the whole tin was sticky with what I assume is the dried turpentine gas trapped inside the plastic bag.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-26T20:22:30.790Z
I assume you don't have a garage with a shelf
Digital Trauma
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-14T23:43:02.470Z
One method I use is the use a small piece of a plastic bag. Cover the spout and then tighten the top over it. I use bags that groceries come in.
fixit7
<storage>
How do you properly store tins of turpentine?
Jay
# How do you properly store tins of turpentine?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-05-26)

Is there a proper way to store tins of turpentine? I have attached a picture of the type of container my turpentine comes in:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/tXGAP.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/tXGAP.jpg)

In the past where ever I store the container, turpentine smell would inevitably leak out and it's not really a pleasant smell. Initially I had stored it in the corner of my bedroom closet. I quickly moved it to a storage closet built into the stairwell. It's dark and cooler than room temperature usually.

I also made the mistake of putting the tin of turpentine inside several plastic bags. This helped with the smell that leaked out but when I took the tin out of the plastic bags, the whole tin was sticky with what I assume is the dried turpentine gas trapped inside the plastic bag.

**Tags:** storage

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I assume you don't have a garage with a shelf  
> **username_2**: One method I use is the use a small piece of a plastic bag. Cover the spout and then tighten the top over it. I use bags that groceries come in.  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2016-05-27. Score: 8 | Accepted answer

In a general sense it is a very good practice to refer to the material safety data sheets (MSDS) for products like this. The product labels, in theory, should also contain similar information.

MSDSs will always contain more information though. They will break down all the information needed about the product when it comes to safety. It should be safe to assume that [householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov](https://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/brands?tbl=brands&id=16025026) is a good source of this information. I located the sheet for your specific product. Most other MSDS's for turps cover the exact same sentiment as far as storage and handling is concerned. For completeness sake I have also included some basic handling as well in the information quoted below.

> HANDLING:
>
> * Isolate from oxidizers, heat, sparks, electric equipment & open flame.
> * Use only with adequate ventilation. Avoid breathing of vapor or spray mist. Avoid prolonged or repeated contact with skin. Wear OSHA Standard goggles or face shield. Consult Safety Equipment Supplier. Wear gloves, apron & footwear impervious to this material. Wash clothing before reuse.
> * Avoid free fall of liquid. Ground containers when transferring.
> * Do not flame cut, saw, drill, braze, or weld. **Empty container very hazardous! Continue all label precautions!**
>
> STORAGE:
>
> * Keep in **fireproof surroundings**.
> * **Keep separated from strong oxidants, incompatible materials. Keep cool. Keep inside a well-ventilated room**.
> * Keep **container tightly closed & upright** when not in use to prevent leakage.

Text is copied as is. Formatting and emphasis is my own.

Keep it cool, ventilated and away from sources of oxidants and sources of ignition. Ensure the container is seal and cleaned between uses.

---

I am not sure about the cause of the leaking. [username_3 has a good theory though.](https://crafts.stackexchange.com/a/618/44) Assuming you follow the instructions above it should not happen.

Related I found a [discussion between users and the smells created by turpentine like yours and artist grade](http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1139512). Consensus is that the "cheap" stuff has a more offending odor


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2016-05-27. Score: 5

Usually tins like this will be fairly well sealed if you re-close them properly, however there will often be a bit of overspill which collects around the top of the tin from pouring out the contents.

With this in mind it will help a lot of you take the time to wipe up any spills from around the tin before you store it and for anything which leaves a dry residue take special care to clean the threads/ sealing surfaces of the lid as any solid residue may impair the seal (an also make it difficult to open again).

You also need to bear in mind that anything which contains volatile solvents is a substantial fire risk both because their vapours can catch light very easily and because they can dramatically accelerate any fire which does start near them. So storing them in your bedroom may not be ideal from a safety perspective.

If you do have problems with leaked from the supplied containers there are some more robust industrial type containers available for volatile and flammable liquids which you could consider transferring them to, especially if you have no choice but to store them at home. These may also make it easier to dispense them.

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: Ah yes. Forgot to add clean the container after each use.  

---

### Answer by username_5 on 2017-01-09. Score: -1

Store any very vaporise liquid at Cold temperatures. Temperature effects vaporization. For turpentine a freezer is best. I'd advise any one to first switch it to another container of known high quality. Off the shelf products may have been damaged in transit from factory to the shelf. I think glass is better than metal cans. No leaky seams. Only fill about 3/4 full. If food stuff is also stored in the freezer a double layer, inner enclosed in an outer container should be used for the chemical.

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: Whilst the advice is sound in respect to the chemistry & physical properties, there are issues from health & safety perspective with potential hazardous materials. Nullifying the potentially hazardous scenarios from storing turpentine in a freezer should be addressed in the answer.  

---

