How To Deal With Paint Smell in House
Getting your new house painted is an exciting time. But there is one downside to all that new paint – the smell. The paint smell is strong and can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not used to it. It contains chemicals that are quite harmful to health, especially for people who are suffering from sinus.
But that’s not all, let’s understand in detail and find out the best possible ways to counter the paint smell in house.
Quick Ways to get rid of the paint smell
1. Air purifier
An air purifier is perhaps the best way to get rid of paint fumes. It will help to remove all the harmful toxins and chemicals from the air, making it safe for you to breathe. Air purifiers have filters that can trap small particles, including paint fumes. These filters are very powerful and can remove up to 99% of all airborne contaminants.
2. Open the windows and doors and turn on the fan
The simplest way to get rid of paint fumes is to open all the windows and doors in your house. This will allow fresh air to come in and help to circulate the air. If you have a ceiling fan, turn it on as well. This will also help to remove paint fumes from the air.
3. Place bowls of vinegar around the house
Vinegar is a natural absorbent and will help to remove paint fumes from the air. Simply place bowls of vinegar around the house, and the paint fumes will be absorbed. You can also add a few drops of essential oil to the vinegar to make it smell nice.
4. Use a diffuser
Another best way to get rid of the paint smell in the house is by using a diffuser and adding a few drops of essential oil to it. This will help to freshen the air and also make it smell nice.
A diffuser is a device that helps to spread the essential oil in the air. You can use diffusers with different types of essential oils, such as lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, and citrus oils.
Don’t worry, a diffuser costs around $20-$30 only and is easily available online as well as offline. 
5. Place bowls of salt around the house
Salt is another natural absorbent that can help to remove paint fumes from the air. Simply place bowls of salt around the house, and the paint fumes will be absorbed. Salt is a very cheap and effective way to get rid of paint fumes.
6. Place coffee grounds around the house
Coffee grounds are another natural absorbent that can help to remove paint fumes from the air. Simply place bowls of coffee grounds around the house, and the paint fumes will be absorbed. Coffee grounds are a very cheap and effective way to get rid of paint fumes.
7. Air fresheners
Air fresheners are another best way to get rid of paint fumes. They will help to freshen the air and also make it smell nice. Air fresheners are very cheap and are easily available online as well as offline.
But if you are allergic to fragrances, then it’s better to avoid air fresheners.
8. Scented Candles
Scented candles, when lit, emit fresh fragrance and make the room more lively. If lit for 1-2 hours continuously, it can overtake the paint fumes and make the room breathable, but make sure not to use them if any of your family members are allergic to strong smells.
The best part is that such candles are available in various fragrances, so if you are allergic to, say, lavender, you can use a lilac fragrance candle. The one below has an 80-hour burn time, but you need to burn it for just 2-3 hours in your room to cover up the pain fumes smell.
- Eliminate odor
- Long burning time
- Safe for babies too
That being said…
We hope the aforementioned methods help you to get rid of the paint smell in your house. Painting your house with new colors is exciting, but dealing with the smell it leaves is a big headache.
Anyways, if you experience strange smells in your house in the future, bookmark this page, and find out the best ways to deal with it. You can also subscribe to our newsletter and get updates whenever we publish something new.
FAQs
What happens if you smell paint fumes?
When paint fumes are inhaled, they can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Paint fumes can also irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. If paint fumes are inhaled for a long time, they can cause more serious health problems, such as liver and kidney damage.
How long does it take for the paint smell to go away in the house?
It usually takes around 24-48 hours for the paint smell to go away in the house. But if you use an air purifier, then the paint smell will be gone within a few hours only.
Can I sleep in a room after painting it?
No, please avoid sleeping in a room after painting it. The paint fumes can be harmful to your health, and it’s better to sleep in another room until the paint fumes are gone completely.
How long should you wait to sleep in a room after painting?
You should wait for at least 24 hours before sleeping in a room after painting it. This will give the paint enough time to dry, and the paint fumes will be gone by then. But if you are suffering from sinus, and have a sensitive nose, then it’s better to wait for 48 hours.
Is it OK for a toddler to sleep in a freshly painted room?
A big no! It’s not OK for a toddler to sleep in a freshly painted room. The paint fumes can be harmful to their health. So, it’s better to wait for at least 72 hours before letting them sleep in the room.