How to Get Rid of New Paint Smell With Natural Products (2024)

Lingering fumes can be irritating when painting a fresh coat of paint on the walls. The best way to get rid of the paint smell is to ventilate the room by opening windows and doors. Household supplies can also naturally absorb paint odors.

Here are tips to get rid of the paint smell with common, eco-friendly products.

How Long Do Paint Fumes Last?

Fumes are usually noticeable with water-based paints for up to three to four days. It may be a few days longer, depending on the paint, like oil-based or solvent-based paints.

Rooms that have limited ventilation or intense sunlight streaming into the room can intensify fumes and may make them linger for months.

12 Natural Ways to Reduce Paint Smell

1. Place Baking Soda Around the Room

   Baking sodaabsorbs odors in the laundry and refrigerator and can also capture paint fumes. Pour the powder into shallow bowls and place them all around the room.

   If the paint odor lingers, sprinkle some baking soda on the room's carpet and upholstered furniture and leave it overnight. Vacuum away the powder and the odors in the morning.
   

   Tip

   Dispose of the baking soda by incrementally pouring it down the drain or garbage disposal to refresh your plumbing. Go slow; too much at once might have the opposite effect and gunk up the works.
   

   See Also

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2. Put Onions in the Room

   It may be a toss-up on whether smelling the fumes or the onions is worse, but the vegetable's smell is more natural, and you may like the pungent aroma.

   Slice two medium onions and place the pieces in saucers around the room. Never use these for cooking when the job is over because they may have absorbed volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

   

3. Use Activated Charcoal

   Activated charcoal is an excellent odor reducer. You can purchase it in small pouches or a crushed formula and place it in bowls around the room. Use the leftovers tomake sachetsto stick in smelly shoes.

   

4. Leave Out Bowls of Lemon Water

   Water will absorb VOCs on its own, but adding some slices offresh lemon juicewill give off a clean citrus scent that is even more refreshing. Water takes a bit longer to absorb odors, so plan to leave the bowls of lemon water in the room overnight.

   

5. Fill Bowls With Dry Coffee Grounds

   Bowls of dry coffee grounds can effectively absorb the paint fumes. And fortunately, many people love the smell of coffee. However, never use these coffee grounds after they've been used as an odor absorber; dispose of them when you're done.

   

6. Sprinkle Natural Extracts or Essential Oils

   Two of the best natural extracts to eliminate paint odor and refresh the room's air are vanilla and peppermint.

   Place a few drops of the extract or essential oil on cotton balls and put them in small bowls or saucers scattered around the room. Some painting experts swear by adding a drop or two of the extracts directly to the paint can before starting the job to lessen the odor.

   

7. Light Candles

   Light a few scented candles to eliminate paint odor. Preferably try soy-based candles since they burn cleaner and emit less smoke and soot than paraffin. Soy is also sustainable and renewable versus paraffin, a petroleum-based product.

   

8. Try Bowls of Vinegar

   White vinegar is an odor neutralizer. Household vinegar (10%) has a higher acetic acid concentration than cooking vinegar (5%) and is more potent at combatting odors.

   Place bowls filled with vinegar throughout the room to remove the paint odor.
   

   

9. Absorb Odors With Diatomaceous Earth

   Diatomaceous earth is a powdery substance made from fossilized algae, roughly 80% to 90% silica. This natural deodorant is easily found online or at home improvement stores.

   Lay out bowls of food-grade diatomaceous earth to absorb paint smells. Leave them out until the paint smell dissipates.
   

   

10. Use an Air Purifier

    An air purifier will help trap paint fumes and other unpleasant scents like cigarette smoke. However, these smells will saturate the filter quickly and need replacing often. Ensure your air purifier has a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter to trap small particles and contaminants.

    

11. Keep Your House Cool

    Heat elevates scent, so if you paint on a hot day, keep your house cool to reduce fumes. Turn on the air conditioner to lower the intensity of the scent.

    

12. Choose Paint with Low VOC

    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 marked with low odor. There are also plant, milk, mineral, and clay paints.

    

Tips to Prevent Heavy Paint Fumes

• 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 to the outside if possible to allow the fumes to dissipate into the air. But keep the 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.