How to Get Rid of Paint Smell

Painting our home is the most satisfying home-care experience for all of us. It leaves you adoring your home even more and provides it with a sparkling clean look. But while you’re admiring your newly painted home, there’s one thing that spoils all your mood – the paint smell!

We’ve all been there. You put in the hard work in painting your home, and while the fresh coat looks fantastic, the strong paint smell isn’t exactly what you want hanging around your house. But don’t worry! We’re here to guide you through some tried and tested ways to get rid of that smell and leave your home feeling fresh again. 

Whether you’re dealing with a strong chemical smell in the house or you just want to know how to get rid of paint fumes quickly, we’ve got all the answers you need. Let’s dive into the best tips and tricks that will help you get rid of paint smells for good.

Why Does Paint Smell So Strong?

Let’s talk about why the smell of paint is so noticeable, even hours (or days) after you complete painting. Most paints contain chemicals called VOCs (volatile organic compounds). These give rise to unpleasant odors in your home. This is especially true if your room isn’t properly ventilated. 

So, whether you’re concerned about how to get paint smell out of house or how to get rid of spray paint smell in your home, your main goal should be to remove or neutralize these VOCs to freshen up your space again. 

Best Time to Paint to Minimize Odors

If you want to reduce paint odors from the start, planning when you paint can make a huge difference for you. We recommend you try choosing a day when the weather is mild so you can easily open up your windows and doors for better airflow. Fresh air helps minimize the smell and keeps it from settling in your home. If you have ceiling fans, turn them on to boost the ventilation even more.

However, avoid running your HVAC system during painting. This can spread the paint odor to other areas of your home, making the smell harder to contain. By focusing on good ventilation from the get-go, you can make your painting project much more pleasant.

7 Ways to Get Rid of Paint Smell

Now, let’s get into the part that you must be waiting for —how to eliminate paint smell and make your home feel fresh again. Following are some proven methods that have worked for most of our clients – 

1. Ventilate, Ventilate, Ventilate!

The easiest and most obvious way how to rid paint smell is to get fresh air flowing in your home. Open the windows, doors, and use fans to circulate air through the space in your home. If possible, keep your windows open for a few days after painting to fully air out the room. This can do wonders to keep your home odor-free. 

If you’re wondering how long should you ventilate a room after painting, we have the answer to that too. Ideally, you should let fresh air flow across your home for at least 2-3 days after painting. This is especially important if you’re using paints with strong odors, like oil-based or spray paints.

2. Place Bowls of Vinegar or Lemon Water

Another trick how to get rid the smell of paint is to place bowls of vinegar or water with slices of lemon around your room. Both of these natural deodorizers help absorb and neutralize odors, including paint smells. Just be sure to change the bowls every day. This will keep them effective and give you better results. 

3. Use Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is a fantastic option for absorbing odors. You can find it at most hardware stores, and it works like a charm in pulling strong smells out of the air. Place a few small containers of activated charcoal in your room, and you’ll notice the paint smell fading quickly.

4. Use Baking Soda to Remove Paint Smell

Baking soda hack is the most popular among our clients as it’s a natural odor neutralizer. If you’re wondering how to use baking soda to remove paint smell, it’s simple. Sprinkle it on the floor or carpets in your room and leave it overnight. In the morning, vacuum it up. You can also place small bowls of baking soda around the room to absorb odors, this will help remove the paint smell. 

5. Try Coffee Grounds

Did you know coffee grounds can also absorb smells? If you place bowls of fresh coffee grounds around your painted room, you’ll witness that the air will start to smell less like chemicals and more like your favorite cafe.

6. Utilize Candles and Essential Oils for a Pleasant Fragrance

Lighting scented or unscented candles not only eliminates the unwanted paint odor but also spreads a pleasant fragrance all across your room. You can also use essential oil diffusers to spread a more natural and calming scent while working on eliminating that paint smell from your home. 

7. Onions—Yes, Really!

Another surprising method to get rid of the paint smell is to use onions.While it sounds strange, onions naturally absorb VOCs and other odors. Try placing a half-cut onion and place it in a bowl in the painted room. Just be sure to toss the onion afterward to avoid replacing one strong smell with another.

How to Get Rid of Paint Fumes

The odor isn’t the only thing you need to get rid of—paint fumes can also hang around and irritate your eyes and lungs. To reduce these fumes, we recommend you follow the same tips above to boost ventilation and absorb chemicals from the air.

Ventilating your home is especially important after using spray paint. In fact, you might wonder how long for spray paint smell to go away. Typically, the spray paint smell can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. It really depends on the ventilation in the room. If the smell lingers too long, try placing bowls of activated charcoal or coffee grounds around to help speed up the process.

How to Get Rid of Chemical Smell in House

Most of us want to understand how to remove chemical smell from our house. It’s simple –  If you’re dealing with a strong chemical smell in house from other types of cleaners or paint, the steps for removing it are the same as mentioned above. Activated charcoal, ventilation, and natural deodorizers like baking soda or vinegar are all great ways to eliminate that smell.

Professional Help: When to Consider It

You might be wondering, “How to get paint smell out of the house entirely?” The answer is a combination of all the tips above. Keep fresh air moving, use natural odor absorbers, and give the room time to breathe. If you’re still struggling with the smell after a few days, you can always reach out to us to get rid of paint smell in house. 

If you’re moving into a newly painted space or simply can’t stand that lingering odor in your home, you may want to consider hiring professionals to take care of it. 

FAQs 

How Long Does Paint Smell Last in a Room?

This is a common question we hear, and the answer can vary depending on the type of paint and how well you’ve ventilated the room. Generally, with proper ventilation, the smell of fresh paint should fade significantly within 2-3 days. However, if you’re sensitive to odors, the lingering scent might last up to a week or more.

It’s worth noting that stronger paints, like oil-based or spray paints, will take longer to fully air out. For these, it’s crucial to keep windows open and fans running to push the fumes out as quickly as possible.

How Long Should You Ventilate a Room After Painting?

If you’re serious about getting rid of the paint smell, we recommend ventilating the room for 2-3 days after you get the paint done. Fresh air is your best friend here, and it can make a huge difference in how quickly the odor disappears from your home. 

How to Use Baking Soda to Remove Paint Smell?

Using baking soda to remove paint smell is simple. Sprinkle it across the room, let it sit overnight, and vacuum it up in the morning. You can also place bowls of baking soda around the space to absorb the odors. It’s an affordable, natural way to neutralize VOCs and freshen up your home.

Freshen Up Your Home with Ease

The lingering smell of paint doesn’t have to be a headache. With proper ventilation, a few natural deodorizers, and some patience, you can easily get rid of that strong odor. 

In case you’re moving into a freshly painted, it’s ideal that you opt for professional cleaning before moving in. This will keep you stress-free to focus on what truly matters –  quality time with your family! 

If you need more tips on how to remove paint smell or tackle other household odors, you can reach out to our team and we’ll be at your service immediately. 

Happy Cleaning!