Yahoo News Experts warn 'don't do it' as common kitchen trend could cause bacteria to thrive
When you're bored with how your home looks and want to give it a little refresh without spending too much money, a lick of paint can go a long way.
It's one of those DIY projects that doesn't require much thought or effort, and it can really change the look of a room - especially the kitchen, if you're finding it too drab or dark.
However, experts have issued a stark warning against using paint on one certain area of your kitchen, as it can end up causing significant damage.
Paint and interiors expert, Anjelica Delfino from Valspar Paint, has debunked some of the most popular budget DIY hacks swirling about social media.
New kitchens can be expensive, so you may have seen content creators talking about painting theirs instead of replacing them. However, using paint where food is being prepped – and where water is around – can create a haven for bacteria.
A lot of worktops are made from laminate, meaning that the paint won’t bond to the surface as it is designed to be impervious. Minor bumps will cause chips that bacteria can get into, right where you’re prepping food.
Another common household hack circulating on social media is the 'paper' wall repair trick, which is seen as a quick, easy and cheap way to hide any holes in the wall.
The method involves covering any holes with a piece of paper before painting over it with emulsion. It’s not recommended for a number of reasons but most importantly it doesn’t fix the hole in the wall. Not long after the piece of paper is painted over, the wet paint will seep through the paper revealing the hole once again. If the paint doesn’t seep through, bubbles of air would appear where the piece of paper is, since there’s air behind the wall.
