Undoubtedly, a coat of paint can change the visuals and vibes of any place, but it also has some drawbacks, mainly its odor. The lingering fumes after painting a room might spoil its beautiful look because nothing looks perfect without fresh and soothing air. Therefore, it is necessary to get rid of that smell as early as possible.
As an asthmatic, when I painted my room, I needed to dispense that intense odor, which is why I started adopting different ways. Some of those are practically successful, but others are useless, so I decided to save the time and effort you put in trying out separate approaches by sharing my experience on how to get rid of paint smell. So, let’s start!
Contents
How To Get Rid Of The Paint Smell?
Chemically a paint consists of three elements: pigment, which gives color to it; a resin or polymer, which increases the binding properties of paint; and a thinner or solvent, which dilutes the paint and makes it easier to apply. All three elements have their odor, which is intense and unpleasant, and unfortunately, you don’t have any other choice except the methods which reduce this smell afterward.
What Does Paint Smell Like?
In general, when you apply paint to a wall or any surface, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released into the atmosphere immediately and smell like fumes. The thinner or solvent in the paint is a chemical that smells like rotten eggs. But, in some cases, water can be used as a thinner, which is a good sign for people having hyperosmia.
How Long Does Paint Smell Last?
The answer to this question somehow depends upon the brand you’re using and the thinner you mixed up your paint with. In a few words, a conventional or standard paint fumes or reek lasts for twelve to twenty-four weeks, while an oil paint smell takes around two months to dissipate completely. Sounds suffocating? Don’t worry; I’ll explain some approaches through which you can quickly push that awful smell out and so instead of inhaling the fumes you can enjoy your renovated room.
Ways To Clear Out The Paint Smell
Baking Soda
Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is a chemical compound that naturally absorbs the smell, even the intense ones. This product is extensively used in laundry and refrigerators to captivate or suck up odors, so it can also be used for paint fumes. All you need to do is put our baking soda into a bowl and place it somewhere in your room.
So, you see, the application process is quite simple but try to change the powder before, during, and after the painting process for better results. In my case, my living room is quite extensive, so I sprinkled baking soda on floor corners to get rid of that pungent smell as early as possible. Once the VOCs exit your room, vacuum away the baking soda from the floor, and you’re all set to enjoy your living space.
Scented Candles
The scented candles are pretty trendy these days and can effectively dissolve the paint odor. This is one of the easiest and practical ways in which you have to buy a good quality candle, light it up, and you’re done! The fragrance of candles replaces the paint odor in some hours, and you know what the best part is? The scented candles come in numerous flavors, designs, styles, colors, and more, making you all free to choose your favorite one!
Charcoal
The activated charcoal is an excellent absorber to be used as an odor reducer. It is one of the cheapest ways to get rid of the smell of paint. It is available in different forms like pouches or powder, etc. Just place it in a bowl in or around your room, and you’re done. Once the paint smell fades, you can also utilize the leftovers for your smelly sneakers.
Natural Extracts
You can also use some natural extracts to eliminate the paint smell. The intense fragrance of these natural grounds replaces the odor of paint in some time. I found vanilla extract and peppermint great for this purpose. All you need to do is to place some cotton balls in a bowl and drop a few dips of section into it, then place this bowl in the desired area. Some people also add a few drops of these extracts directly into the paint before applying it, so you can also give it a try.
FAQs
How long does it take for the paint smell to go away?
A conventional or standard paint fume lasts for twelve to twenty-four weeks, while an oil paint smell takes around two months to dissipate completely. However, you can speed up this process by adopting some ways like baking soda, scented candles, activated charcoal, and more. The most reliable, practical, cheaper, and effective is baking soda.
Can the smell of paint harm you?
The paint contains volatile compounds or fumes harmful to human health. During the painting process, people experience different symptoms: congestion, dizziness, headache, vision issues, etc. Some are short-term, while others are long-term problems that need to be cured. In this way, it is alarming to get rid of the paint smell!
How long does paint take to dry?
That depends upon the type of paint you’re using! The standard water-based paint dries in one or two hours and can be recoated after four hours. At the same time, the oil-based paint dries in upto eight hours and can only be recoated after a day.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, painting a living space is mesmerizing but can be harmful and suffocating. Therefore, it is alarming to get rid of the paint smell as soon as possible. I suggest you not go for expensive options and try out the above-mentioned natural ways to dispense off that odor. Over that, ventilation is an essential element too, so make sure that there is proper air circulation in the room before painting it! Are you upset about the freon leaking from the AC and causing the smell, well here is a solution to get rid of the freon smell?
Best of Luck!
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