If you’ve got a paint project to tackle in the coming months, here is a little help to make the job easier and cleanup faster. Plus, a few tips to keep you organized when touching up those inevitable bumps and scrapes down the road.

Eliminate paint odor at the source. Simply stir 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract per gallon of dark or bright paint. Since the extract may have a slight color to it, skip this in very subtle hues.

Skip the drips by placing two rubber bands around your paint can, centered parallel across the opening. Dip your brush into the paint, then wipe your brush along the rubber bands to eliminate any excess.

Make cleanup faster by lining the paint tray and wrapping the edges with aluminum foil before you start. When you're done, roll up the foil and throw it away.

Stop sticky lids by placing plastic wrap over the top of cans before replacing and hammering on the lids. This will keep dried paint from sticking to the edges and make reopening cans a cinch.

Color code can lids for touch-ups down the road and easy identification in a growing paint collection. Simply dab some paint onto the lid of the can, then note the room it belongs to with a permanent marker.