One of the most annoying things about a big painting project in your home, especially when it’s finished, is that paint smell. Even when the paint has dried, it can seem like the scent lingers for far too long, and even makes some people sick.
Fortunately, there are ways to rid paint odors faster and restore better air quality in your home. See below for some tips, and don’t forget to mention to your professional painters that you’re worried about lingering paint smells. They may have ideas or practices of their own, too!
Fans and Airflow
Airflow is the most essential ingredient in removing paint smells quickly. When air is cycled through a space, it carries fumes away and helps paint cure faster. Try cracking a window or encourage airflow in other ways. Setting up a fan can also be a big help when combined with good airflow. For the best effect, let the fan run continuously for a couple of days.
Charcoal or Coffee Grounds
Charcoal is a known absorbent that sucks in moisture and odors, making it an ideal option to remove paint smells as fast as possible. Leave a few bowls of ground charcoal around to help speed up the process! If you don’t have easy access to charcoal or don’t want to pay for it, coffee grounds make a great substitute. They can remove odors as well, and they have that pleasant coffee smell that masks paint while it’s drying.
Baking Soda
Here’s a trick that can work really well, especially in carpeted rooms: Get a box of baking soda and sprinkle it around the floor. After waiting a day or two, simply vacuum it up again. Baking soda is another absorbent that’s particularly good at trapping odors and can rid the room of those smells. Of course, this is easier in a room that you don’t use much while the paint is drying, so it may be limited.
Lemon and Water
Get a bucket of water, cut up a few lemons, and drop them in the water. Then simply leave the bucket in the painted room. The lemon will dissipate into the air, where it can help fight off paint odors. As a plus, the room then gets a pleasant lemony smell! This also works with vinegar, another acidic additive, but of course, vinegar doesn’t smell nearly as good, so only try this if you’re desperate to get rid of odors as quickly as possible.
Candles
Light a candle (or several) in the room to tackle the smells. The candle flame can neutralize odors in the air. A scented candle can also spread its own nice aromas.
Do you have questions about the right paints to use? Would you like to arrange for professional painters to complete a project in your home? Call today for a free quote! Tar Heel Painters will be happy to create a painting plan that meets your needs.
