If you’ve recently painted your home, you’re likely aware that the residual paint fumes can make it challenging to work, sleep, or fully enjoy your space. To effectively eliminate these fumes, it’s important to first understand their nature. In this guide, we will explore the causes of paint odors, the impact of poor air quality, methods for removing fresh paint smells, and tips for selecting the right paint to minimize fumes and odors.
What causes paint smell?
Certain paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which vaporize at room temperature, releasing harmful gases. These emissions are responsible for the strong odor associated with fresh paint and can pose health risks. To safeguard yourself and your family, it’s advisable to use paints that are VOC-free or have low VOC content.
Is bad air quality after painting a risk?
If you experience a headache, dizziness, or watery eyes after spending time in a freshly painted room, it’s crucial to leave the area immediately. This advice comes from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Exposure to VOCs is hazardous and can potentially harm your liver, kidneys, or nervous system. Therefore, taking necessary precautions before painting your indoor space is essential.
How to Remove Fresh Paint Smell Naturally
You can eliminate paint odors using natural methods rather than harsh chemicals. This approach keeps you and your family healthy while ensuring your home smells pleasant instead of like fresh paint.
1. Make sure to ventilate the room:
The easiest way to get rid of the paint smell is to ventilate the room well. The best way to do so is to open all windows and doors to allow the air to circulate into the room. You can also use fans and purifiers as they will help with ventilation and getting rid of the paint smell faster.
2. How to keep a cool temperature indoors:
To get rid of paint odors, keep the room at a cool temperature after you’ve finished painting. When the room temperature is too warm, the paint smell will be more potent. Therefore, if you keep your room cool, it will help eliminate the smell. If you are able, turn on your air conditioner or let a cool breeze in to reduce the intensity of the odor.
3. Use baking soda:
Baking soda can help absorb the paint smell. Just put baking soda in a container and leave it in the room for a few days to absorb the paint fumes. You must replace the baking soda regularly for ongoing odor absorption.
4. Use activated charcoal:
If your paint has a strong smell, you can also use activated charcoal to get rid of it. Research has found that activated charcoal is even better than baking soda at absorbing and eliminating odors.
5. Use an air purifier:
If you use an air purifier in your freshly painted room overnight, it will help remove paint smells and chemical pollutants. Just make sure that your air purifier has a HEPA filter so that the smell particles and contaminants can be filtered out.
6. Use onions:
Onions are a natural odor absorber that can be used to absorb paint smells. Slice a couple onions in half, put them in a bowl of water, and leave them in the room overnight. This should help eliminate the odor by the morning.
7. Use scented candles:
If you light a scented candle, it will help mask the paint smell. Make sure to only choose candles that have natural ingredients including beeswax or soy wax. Do not use candles that have synthetic fragrances as they may worsen the odor. Once you light the natural candles, let them burn for a few hours so you will be left with a pleasant scent instead of paint fumes.
Preventing Paint Odors
Although we’ve discussed the top strategies for eliminating paint odors in your home, there are also effective methods to minimize the impact of fresh paint smells. Here are a few suggestions:
- Use low-VOC paint:
When you decide to paint your property, make sure to use low VOC paint instead of a volatile organic compound paint. This will allow your family to be safe from harsh chemicals contained in the VOC paint.
- Ventilate well:
During painting, you should properly ventilate the space. Open all windows, doors, and skylights to let the fresh air in and allow for air flow during painting.
- Use paint additives to diminish paint odor:
You can simply add a few drops of a paint additive which will neutralize VOC’s and other chemicals in the paint to reduce odors and paint vapors.
- Create a cool room temperature:
Make sure to keep your home cool by using an air conditioner if you have one available or a dehumidifier while you are painting, which will help with reducing humidity.
- Get rid of excess paint:
Always make sure to clean up spills after you are done painting. Always use high-quality cleaners and dispose of paint cans properly as advised by your local authorities.
Professional Cleaning and Painting Services from NuEra Restoration and Remodeling
Painting projects in your home can be exciting as they breathe new life into your living space. However, the residual odors from the paint can be unpleasant and even affect your health. By taking the steps outlined above, you can reduce or remove the paint odors faster so you can enjoy the freshly painted space.
An effective way to help remove paint odors is to clean up any spilled paint after the project is complete. At NuEra Enterprises Inc. we provide carpet and upholstery cleaning services and can help remove spilled paint from your carpeting and furniture. We use advanced cleaning methods and equipment to remove embedded dirt, debris, and stains and restore the original appearance and texture of the carpet and upholstery. These services are beneficial after a new paint job as we can ensure that there is no spilled paint leftover which will also help reduce the paint odor.
If you are ready to refresh part of your home with a new paint job but do not feel comfortable doing it yourself, our professionals at NuEra Enterprises Inc. can help. We offer complete interior and exterior painting services to paint any space in your home. Our professionals can help you choose a new color and ensure a high-quality paint job. We can also take steps to help reduce the odor as we paint.
For more about our carpet and upholstery cleaning or painting services, give us a call at (847) 217-1036.
CEO of NuEra Restoration and Remodeling – certified by IICRC and specializes in residential and commercial building restoration, carpet cleaning, painting, and remodeling – 10+ years of experience in business and restoration with strong leadership skills.