Reduce the overall smell of paint fumes from the beginning of your project, so you don’t have to wait until you finish painting. Here are tips to get rid of the paint smell with the six common, eco-friendly products.
Natural Ways to Reduce Paint Smell
Tips to Prevent Heavy Paint Fumes
By addressing paint fumes before you even begin a painting project, you can reduce the odor and make the process easier. When you are finished painting, you can dispose of the baking soda by pouring it down the drain or garbage disposal to give your plumbing a quick refresh. Simply slice two medium onions and place the pieces in saucers around the room. When the job is over, don’t use these for cooking, because they may have absorbed volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
While it is not always possible, the best way to avoid heavy fumes is to select a healthy alternative paint, like one with low or zero VOCs. If you must use an oil-based paint or primer, choose those that are marked as low odor. There are also paints made from plants, milk, minerals, or clay. Before you begin painting your house, check the weather forecast. Avoid days when the humidity is high. High humidity in the air slows the drying process, and paint emits the strongest odor while being applied and waiting to dry. The longer it takes to dry, the more chance soft materials (carpet, drapes, upholstery) will absorb the odors. Let each coat of paint dry completely before applying the next layer of paint. Damp walls can trap fumes and slowly emit odor for a longer time. As you paint, keep the lids on paint cans and cover paint trays and brushes with plastic wrap when not in use. While painting one room, keep the doors and windows open if possible to allow the fumes to dissipate into the air. But keep doors of the other rooms in your house closed to prevent the fumes from spreading. Use the same tips when stripping paint for a project.
