Solvents Illegal in Garbage & Drains Household Hazardous Waste Never Dump Down the Drain Keep waterways clean by not dumping solvents down the drain, where they may make their way into lakes and rivers and threaten human and aquatic health. Keep Away From Heat Most solvents are flammable or highly flammable. Keep them in a cool place away from heat. Handle With Care Solvents are harsh chemicals that can cause bodily harm. When using solvents, avoid breathing in vapors, skin contact, eye contact or ingestion. Ways to Reduce Avoid Known Carcinogens Avoid solvents that contain benzene, carbon tetrachloride or trichloroethylene. Did You Know? What Are Solvents, Anyway? Solvents are substances that can be used to dissolve other compounds. Major uses for solvents include paints, paint removers, nail polish, nail polish removers, inks, spot cleaners, detergents, dry cleaning and perfumes.