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A new paint job always makes your home fresh. It is a fast job that still gives a new look to your house or apartment. It disinfects the walls and makes them look vibrant and lively. But, there is one significant downside to painting.
Many paints are toxic by nature. The oil-based ones contain paint fumes that are not only toxic, but they have a suffocating smell. This smell can stay for days and even weeks.
The odor can be irritating. This can become even worse when you’re painting your interior. Sometimes you can’t leave your windows and doors open to ventilate the painted room. This is horrible for people that are sensitive to all kinds of smells.
Fortunately for you, there are ways to get rid of this unpleasant smell with simple household items. If you’re interested, then this article is just for you. You can know how to get rid of paint smell and enjoy your new space.
Effects of Exposure to Paint fumes
Being regularly exposed to toxic fumes comes with many health consequences. If you’re exposed for a more extended period, you will cause respiratory issues and other problems. Here are some issues caused by long fume exposure: vision, headaches, throat and lung irritations, eye infections, and dizziness.
New studies also show that prolonged exposure to evaporated paint gasses has an impact on the brain. They can have long-term effects on the brain. The research indicates that painters and home utility works that have continuously been working with paint have cognitive impairment from those harsh chemicals.
How to get rid of paint smell
Here is a list of ways on how to get rid of paint smell:
Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is excellent for absorbing the smell coming from paint. It is an effective solution. You can use it almost everywhere. It is especially beneficial for rooms that have mats and carpets.
Mats, rugs, and other textile materials absorb scent faster. Because of their dense structure, the smell can’t evaporate quickly, and it sticks for months. To remove the smell from the carpets, sprinkle baking soda all over them. Then, let the baking soda rest overnight. In the morning, all you need to do is vacuum the soda.
You can also place bowls with water and baking soda to eliminate the smell. Put a couple of inches of water in a container and then add half a baking soda cup. Mix it for a few seconds to dissolve the baking soda. The next step is to place them around the room. Let them stay there for a whole day and then take them out.
Employ Activated Charcoal
How to get rid of the pain smell by using charcoal? Charcoal is becoming a popular solution to everything. You can find activated charcoal in food stores and drugstores. The decomposed carbon compounds make activated charcoal. The composition is strictly controlled, and it comes in the form of a black powder.
All you have to do is put the activated charcoal powder in bowls, preferably cereal bowls and let it sit for a couple of hours. You will notice that the room will instantly become cleaner and fresher.
Use Onions
Although it might seem absurd, using onions can help get rid of the smell. They have a strong scent that will overpower the smell of the fumes. Onions aren’t toxic or harmful to health, and using them can improve the room’s smell.
The only thing you need is two onions. Then cut them into two halves. Then the next step is to place them in two bowls. The sliced halves should face upwards. The bowls should be placed near the freshly painted job was done. Leave them for a while, and let the fumes get absorbed.
Buy odor-absorbing Candles.
Candles are a great alternative if nothing else works. They are known for their ability to soak up any foul smells. That is why they are ideal for this problem.
They come in many scents, and you can choose the one that appeals to you the most. What’s also remarkable about them is that the candle market offers candles specifically designed to absorb smells.
You can buy several candles and disperse them around the room. Make sure they are put in safe fire holders. Ensure they are on the opposite side of the painted space. You can buy these types of candles in smoke shops or any store aisle with odor-repelling candles.
Then the next step is to light them up and wait for them to burn for some time. They will absorb the smell from the harsh chemicals and will make your room smell more superior.
Get a Few fans
Another thing you can do is invest in fans. They will help filter out the fumes fast. The best types of fans are the box ones. Place a box fan at the center of the room and direct it at an angular position. This way, the fan will blow out the toxic chemical out in the open and ventilate the whole room.
But remember this: don’t direct the fans directly to the painted surface. This will make the paint dry faster. If you want to place them there, make sure you finish the work before you do so. If you don’t have a fan and don’t want to invest in one, don’t worry! You can turn on the AC and leave it on for several hours.
A mixture of lemon and water
Another great hack is to use lemon water. This will detoxify the air, just like it detoxifies your body.
The water does 90% of the work. The lemon is there to pull in and trap the fumes. To do this hack, fill a bucket of water and put freshly cut lemons in it. You can leave the concoction in the room while you’re painting. It will not harm. You can leave this overnight, as well. Add a little bit of salt to it and let it rest. By the next morning, you won’t have any horrible smell going on in the room.
Set out bowls of Vinegar
You can use Vinegar to get rid of strong smells. You can add white Vinegar into cereal bowls and put them across the room. The acid from the compound neutralizes odor-carrying molecules. You can use all kinds of Vinegar for this job. It doesn’t matter if you use apple cider vinegar or just distilled white one. They are both excellent for this job. vinegar should always be on your mind when knowing how to get rid of paint smell.
All you need to do is pour the Vinegar into the bowls. Make sure they reach half the bowl. Then, could you place them in every corner of the room? But, make sure to leave the bowls for a short period. And, be careful not to spill the Vinegar on the floor. This will help you have a fresh-smelling home.
Coffee Grounds
Coffee is yet another great solution to bad smells. The only thing you need to do. Like before, fill up a couple of bowls with dry coffee grounds. They can absorb the unpleasant odor and make you more alert and energized. When you’re done using them, make sure to throw them in the trash.
Burn Some Sage
Many people aren’t familiar with sage as a solution to bad smells. But, it is significant, and you only have to burn it. Sage comes with other benefits as well. It helps relieve stress and anxiety. You can also burn it for no reason given. It smells incredible, and you can add it to your cleaning routine as well. You light the end of a sage bundle. Allow the smoke to fill the air. Walk around the room with the burning sage. this is how to get rid of paint smell fast.
Purify The Air
You can also remove the unpleasant smell by using an air purifier. It is easy and removes a terrible smell in no time. It works on a simple mechanism. The fan inside of it pulls in the air. The air is then filtered. This process expels cleaner air and gets rid of the odor.
Even though it is straightforward how this purifying works, it takes a longer time to start working. You may need to leave it running a couple of days to remove the smell altogether. Plus, it’s not exactly the cheapest option.
Vanilla or peppermint extract
Another solution is to use peppermint and vanilla extract if nothing else works. The smell from those two things combined is going to eliminate the smell of the toxic gas. To use them properly, you can dip cotton balls into these oils. Then place the wet cotton balls all over the room. You can even put them while you’re painting. The smell won’t do anything harmful to you. You can also mix these two oils with water to make excellent results.
When you’re painting, try not to use any perfumes or any air fresheners. They don’t eliminate the smell and sometimes can make it worse. If you want to buy one, make sure the product is odor-free and destroys it.
Your ultimate goal should be to remove or absorb the foul smell. Also, it is best if you paint in the daytime and when it’s sunny. The sunlight will evaporate the smell faster. Moisture and humidity are at most fault for the foul smell. With these tips, you will know how to get rid of paint smell in no time. You can now enjoy your freshly painted home with ease.
FAQs about getting rid of paint smell
1. How long does it take for the paint smell to go away?
Various factors, like the type of paint used, ventilation, temperature, and humidity levels, can affect how long paint smells last. Typically, the odor might linger for anywhere between a few hours and several weeks. However, in a well-ventilated location, the stink usually goes away in a few days.
2. What can I do to speed up the process of getting rid of the paint smell?
Utilizing fans or air conditioning, opening windows and doors, and increasing ventilation can all aid in hastening the process of getting rid of paint odor. Some ordinary household items, such as charcoal, vinegar, and baking soda, may assist to absorb the stench. Additionally, regulating the humidity and temperature of the space helps hasten the process.
3. Are there any home remedies that effectively eliminate paint odor?
Yes, there are a number of natural methods that can get rid of paint odor. White vinegar, baking soda, and activated charcoal are all well known for their odor-absorbing abilities. Any of these bowls can assist to absorb the scent and hasten the process of getting rid of paint odor by being placed close to the painted area.
4. Is it safe to stay in a newly painted room while the smell is still present?
As long as there is sufficient ventilation, staying in a freshly painted room is generally safe. The long-term inhalation of paint fumes should be avoided since they might irritate the eyes, nose, and throat and result in headaches and dizziness. It would be preferable to leave the room until the smell goes away if you feel any of these symptoms.
5. Can air purifiers help get rid of paint smell?
Yes, by filtering the air and removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that cause the stench, air purifiers can aid in eliminating the smell of paint. For the greatest results, look for air purifiers featuring an activated carbon filter and a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
6. Is it necessary to ventilate a room after painting to eliminate the smell?
Yes, eliminating paint smell requires adequate ventilation. Opening windows and doors, turning on fans or air conditioning, and turning on an air purifier all fall under this category. To prevent extended exposure to paint fumes, the space must be ventilated until the odor goes away.
7. Does the type of paint used affect the duration and strength of the odor?
Yes, the type of paint used can influence the odor’s severity and longevity. Compared to water-based paints, oil-based paints typically have a stronger odor and take longer to dry. Traditional paints may have a stronger smell that may not last as long as low-VOC or zero-VOC paints.
8. How can I prevent paint smell from lingering in my home after painting?
The key to preventing paint smell from staying in your home is proper ventilation both during and after painting. If at all possible, choose low-VOC or zero-VOC paint to lessen the smell. Additionally, maintaining a constant temperature and humidity level in the space will hasten the process of getting rid of paint odor.
9. Can using low-VOC or zero-VOC paint reduce the intensity of paint odor?
Yes, the strength of paint odor can be diminished by using low-VOC or zero-VOC paint. Chemicals called VOCs are emitted by conventional paints and may be a part of the smell. Low-VOC or zero-VOC paints may have a gentler smell but are safer and more environmentally friendly options because they contain fewer or no VOCs.
10. What are some tips for safely disposing of paint cans and other painting materials to prevent lingering odor?
Allow any leftover paint to thoroughly dry before throwing away paint cans and other painting supplies to ensure safe disposal. To ensure they are properly disposed of, you can also transport the cans and materials to a hazardous waste disposal site. Do not flush extra paint down the drain as this can contaminate the environment. To avoid unintentionally ingesting toxic chemicals or exposing children and pets to them, it’s crucial to keep paint cans and other items out of their reach.
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