Repainting a house can significantly improve its look. However, as much as people try to eliminate the paint smell, they often face challenges. Although paint odor is inevitable, the stench from the paint can make your environment very uncomfortable and even toxic. Paint smell, as we know, should be gotten rid of as fast as possible. In this article, you will learn how you can rid yourself of the paint smells in your home.
Ventilation
When the painting is done for an extended period, the best solution is proper air circulation. It helps to dilute paint fumes with fresh air so that your living space is much healthier.
Open windows and doors
The first measure for getting ventilation into your house is to open your windows and doors. This allows fresh air to come in and also expels the paint smells. Ideally, painting should be carried out during a dry day and with moderate sunny weather when the temperature does not rise.
Use a fan
Setting a fan also assists in the circulation of the air, which enables the paint smells to exit your house. The fan should be placed where it blows towards or out of the windows so that paint smell can easily be channelled out of the house.
Turn on your air conditioning
If you have an air conditioner at home, switch it on when painting. It helps eliminate paint fumes by rotating the air inside, purifying it as it circulates.
Utilize Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal aids in adsorption – the process of eliminating unfavorable smells and toxic substances. Because it is a very permeable material, it can take in odors and destroy them. Here are two ways to use activated charcoal for removing paint smells:
Activated charcoal bags
Put a few bags containing activated charcoal in the room where you have painted. The charcoal will help in removing the paint smell and your room will be smelling as good as new. Make sure that you dispose of the bags when done.
Activated charcoal briquettes
This is very much the same technique; you can use leftover charcoal briquettes that you may have from grilling. Pour them into a small tray and put them in the room with paint smell.
Use Air Purifiers
Air purifiers are designed to clean air by eliminating pollutants, allergens, and other harmful substances from the air. As for general removal of paint odor, an air purifier might be the ultimate solution.
Here are some types of air purifiers that can help you eliminate paint smells:
HEPA Air Purifiers
HEPA is an acronym that stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. All HEPA air purifiers employ HEPA filters to remove various particles and smells from the air, including paint vapor. This technology makes HEPA air purifiers the best to eliminate paint smells from your home.
Air Purifiers that Use Activated Carbon
The activated carbon air purifiers are equipped with activated charcoal and are mainly used to absorb unpleasant smells in the air. Such filters are effective, as they capture the paint odor molecules and neutralize them by disposing them from your house.
Baking Soda
The removal of paint odor is one that can be helped with household baking soda. Baking soda absorbs odors.
Here’s how to use baking soda to remove paint smells from your house:
Baking Soda Bowls
The baking soda will help remove the paint smell because it will evaporate and take the smells with it. Sprinkling baking soda every now and then, or whenever it appears to be fully immersed in paint smell, or every three to four days.
Baking Soda Carpets
If the paint smell has made its way into your carpets, dust a hefty amount of baking soda onto the area. Allow it to stand for several hours or overnight, and then vacuum well to clear the baking soda and the paint smell that it has trapped.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a standard product with countless applications in and around the home. One of the ways it can be used is to eliminate paint smells in your home.
You can use vinegar in three different ways:
Vinegar Bowls
Take some vinegar and put it in the area with the smell of paint. Another benefit is that vinegar has a scent that will counteract the paint smell until it is gone.
Vinegar and Water Spray
Fill a spray bottle to the top with water and white vinegar in equal quantity. There is nothing easier than just spraying the mixture on the walls or furniture that has absorbed the smell of paint. After that, let it stay for a few hours, and then, using a damp cloth, wipe out the solution.
Vinegar-Soaked Towels
Soak white towels in white vinegar, then squeeze out excess moisture and hang them in a room where the paint smell is noticeable. You should replace the towels entirely when they are totally saturated in paint smell.
Use Deodorizers
The available deodorizers are in forms such as aerosols, electrical units, and candles. These products are specifically developed to mask and remove specific smells from your car, or any building.
Here’s how to use deodorizers to get rid of paint smells from your house:
Deodorizer sprays
Spray deodorizers to get rid of paint smells from the furniture and other surfaces.
Plug-in deodorizers
Portable deodorizers serve to eliminate odorous substances, and when introduced into the environment, can effectively eliminate paint odors.
Candles and essential oils
Clean the air by burning light-scented candles or using essential oils in a diffuser to remove the paint smell from your home. Select one that goes well with the interior design of your house and your taste.
It’s always possible to eliminate paint smells from your house; these tips will help make your home fresh and better smelling.
