Ways to get rid of the smell of paint after renovation.

Airing

The easiest and most obvious way to eliminate the smell of paint is to air out the room. This step is mandatory and it is advisable to open the windows before starting work with paints and varnishes: this way the unpleasant smell will not be as strong.

Airing will help to quickly get rid of the unpleasant smell only if the following conditions are met:

• low humidity;
• warm weather;
• high-quality ventilation.

The first two steps are responsible for the rapid drying of the coating and the evaporation of solvents (the main components “with a smell”). Ventilation helps to air out the fumes from the room and replaces the smell of paint with fresh air.

Keep the windows open for 12-24 hours (for water-based compositions), 2-3 days for oil-based ones.

Advice! To remove the smell of paint faster, place a fan near an open window and point it outside.

Air humidification

All the tips on how to get rid of the smell of paint using water are based on the natural properties of this liquid. Water is an excellent absorbent that literally attracts odorous molecules from the air.

Containers with water

The simplest remedy is to place vessels with wide necks (buckets, basins, pots) filled with water around the house. Leave for 12-24 hours, then pour out the water and replace it. Most likely, you will have to repeat the procedure a couple of times.

Wet cloth

If there are children or animals in the house that can accidentally knock over the buckets, use wet textiles (sheets, towels, etc.) – they absorb odors no worse than liquid. They should be laid out or hung around the room, wetting them with water again from time to time. After finally getting rid of the unpleasant odor, wash the rags with fabric softener.

Wet cleaning

The last method from this category is no longer passive, it will require physical strength and time: but it is considered more effective and faster compared to the previous ones.

Since the solvents in paints are volatile, when they evaporate, they settle on all surfaces: the floor, ceiling, furniture. And, of course, they remain on the painted walls. Washing off these molecules will automatically reduce the concentration of the smell.

General cleaning begins with wiping down cabinet furniture. To do this, make a solution of water with mustard, vinegar or ammonia. Mix 1 tablespoon of any of the additives with 5 liters of clean water.

Curtains, blankets, pillows that were in the room must be washed. If your upholstered furniture or carpet smells, call in specialists who can neutralize the aroma without harming the items.

Coffee beans

Coffee is a well-known natural sorbent that not only absorbs foreign odors, but also has a pleasant, invigorating aroma.

For this job, take any cheap natural (preferably bean) coffee, grind it and sprinkle it in a thin layer on trays, plates or any other flat surfaces. Place it in the problem area, close the door, wait 16-20 hours (you can leave it overnight). During this time, the coffee should not just absorb the paint, but also mask it.

Important! After cleaning, the coffee must be thrown away, drinking it is harmful to health.

Charcoal

The method with charcoal is exactly the same as the previous one, only unlike coffee, charcoal does not smell, but has excellent absorbent properties.

The charcoal is crushed, poured into trays, and placed around the room. If necessary, the filler is changed for fresh 1 time in 12 hours. The used charcoal is thrown away.

Silica gel filler

If you have a cat in the house, use silica gel filler for its tray to remove the smell of paint. This is a proven odor and excess moisture remover, so in this case you can trust the professionals and not do anything yourself.

Just pour the granules into the trays and leave them in a closed room. The filler does not need to be changed or updated – usually one fill is enough to combat the smell of paint.

Odor absorber

We have already written a partial list of absorbers: water, coffee, charcoal, silica gel. Of the adsorbents that are in almost every home, you can try soda, onions or lemon. Soda is simply sprinkled like coffee, onions and lemons are cut, laying out pieces in places where painting work is carried out.

Tip! Citrus fruits can also be used with water – cut into slices, add to containers, place in the room.

Professional neutralizers are also available for sale, they are often used in refrigerators. Available in the form of sprays, gel fragrances, powders, sachets, wipes.

Another option is an ozonizer, this device is designed specifically to remove harmful volatile compounds from the air (benzene, toluene, formaldehyde).

Ionizer

One of the expensive but working tools – an ionizer – will serve for a long time after the end of the repair. An increase in the concentration of air ions has a beneficial effect on the body: it improves sleep, accelerates metabolism, and helps to normalize the nervous system. Also, negatively charged ions attract harmful substances: including allergens or solvent molecules. This property will help get rid of unpleasant odors.

Ionizers are sold separately and are built into breezers, purifiers, and air conditioners.

Odor masking

If there is no time to eliminate the consequences of using paint, the odor can be temporarily masked instead of being removed.

Candles

Both simple and aromatic ones will do, because the main thing in them is the flame. Open fire burns solvent vapors – so the smell will initially intensify, but if you open the window, it will quickly disappear.

Essential oils

To avoid experimenting with a candle flame, use bottles with oil extracts. Choose strong but pleasant aromas: vanilla, citrus, mint. Apply a few drops to cotton balls or add to water – this way the smell of paint will not only be masked, but also absorbed.

Perfume

When guests are already at the door and there is no time to burn candles or look for oil, spray your apartment with your own or special home perfume. But don’t overdo it: it’s uncomfortable to be in a room with a strong scent, even if it’s from good perfume.

How to prevent the smell?

No matter how effective the methods of combating odors are, it is always more reliable to prevent the unpleasant aroma from appearing. To do this:

1. Choose paint and varnish materials with a working shelf life and the “odorless” mark. These are usually water-based mixtures.
2. Work in a ventilated area, even if the paint does not smell.
3. Do not use thinners and solvents, such as white spirit.
4. Free the room from furniture and textiles before starting work. Upholstered furniture can be tightly covered with polyethylene.

If the smell in the apartment still remains, do not delay in removing it. Use one or several of the methods listed above.