As spring slowly rolls around, thoughts will start turning toward decorating the house to get it ready for the summer. This may just mean a fresh coat of paint or a complete makeover. However, if you decide to get the paint brushes out, you will probably be thinking about the aftermath.
Traditional oil-based painting tends to leave lingering odors long after the job is done. So, with that in mind, we have racked our brains to come up with this quick guide on how to get rid of paint smells.
Let There Be Air
The easiest way to get rid of paint smells is to make sure that the room is well-ventilated. Opening doors and windows will help, but this might not always be possible if the weather isn’t so good. If you are lucky enough to be doing the painting during some nice weather, try to keep doors and windows open for as long as possible during the daytime.
Another way to get rid of the smell is by placing a fan near a window. Make sure that the fan is pointing outward, as this will help to get the air moving and push the fumes outside in no time.
Just Add Water
One of the easiest and most effective ways of getting rid of paint smells is by using buckets of water. Simply put one bucket (more for larger rooms) in the center of a room that has just been painted and leave it there overnight. The water will absorb any solvent vapors from the paint and will help get your home back to normal in no time.
Home Remedies
There are many different things you can do to get rid of the smell, and many of these things can be easily found around the house or at the local supermarket. Effective methods of eliminating paint odors include:
- Cut onions
- Lemon and water
- Vinegar
- Coffee grounds
- Charcoal
- Vanilla extract
- Candles
- Herbs such as basil and rosemary
Other Useful Tips
These days, there are many different kinds of paints on the market with some of them being made of natural materials such as clay or plants. Keep an eye out for products labeled as low or non-VOC, as these tend to smell a lot less than oil-based paints.
Always try to paint one room at a time, unless you are going to have your home decorated while you are away on vacation. Excessive amounts of paints and their associated fumes are not good for your health and will make your house feel like a very undesirable place to be while it dries.
A simple trick that a lot of people often forget is to keep the doors and windows of other rooms closed as much as possible while you are painting. This helps to stop the fumes from spreading to other areas of the house.
Lastly, once you have finished the job, make sure you wash the brushes and then cover them with plastic if you plan to use them again in the future. And make sure you cover the paint containers and place them in the garage. Clean up any other equipment that you plan to use again.
And finally, sit back and enjoy a job well done!