Spray paint can be an excellent tool for art and also a great way to customize your belongings. But it’s a common fact that most spray paints smell absolutely awful.
So, how do you get rid of the spray paint smell quickly?
I’ve compiled a handy little guide that will guide you to remove this smell from your hands and other belongings using only basic home stuff that you can easily find.
This blog post will be beneficial for those newbies who don’t know how to get rid of the spray paint smell because they are afraid to do this work by themselves.
How to get rid of spray paint smell?
Baking soda
To get rid of spray paint smell, mix one-part baking soda with two parts of water, and apply the mixture to the areas where the paint fumes are strongest.
Let the mixture sit for a few hours, then vacuum it up. You may need to repeat this process a few times to completely eliminate the paint fumes.
Lemon water
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get rid of the spray paint smell, lemon water is your best bet. All you need to do is fill a bowl with lemon water and place it in the affected room.
The lemon water will help to draw the odor out of your home and leave it smelling fresh and clean.
Apple cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a natural solution to get rid of spray paint fumes. Simply pour apple cider vinegar into a bowl and place it near the affected area.
The vinegar will absorb the paint fumes and eliminate the smell.
Candles
Candles are a great way to get rid of the spray paint smell. They work by burning away VOCs, which are the airborne chemicals that cause the smell.
You can buy candles specifically designed for this purpose, or you can use regular candles. Just make sure to keep an eye on them and extinguish them before they burn all the way down.
Onions
Onions are a natural odor absorber and can help get rid of the spray paint smell quickly. Simply cut an onion in half and place it near the source of the smell.
After a few hours, the onion will have absorbed the odor and the room will smell much better.
Charcoal
To get rid of the spray paint smell, charcoal is the best way. Put some charcoal in a bowl and set it near the area where the smell is the strongest.
The charcoal will absorb the fumes and the smell will go away.
Coffee grounds
Another method is to place coffee grounds in a bowl and set it out in the room where the smell is the strongest. The coffee grounds will absorb the paint fumes and help to freshen the air.
Natural Extracts
When you’re finished painting and the fumes are starting to get to you, reach for a bottle of vanilla extract.
Splash a bit on a cloth or directly on the floor, and the sweet scent will help to mask the paint fumes. You can also use peppermint extract in the same way.
And if you have any old furniture that’s been sitting in storage and is starting to smell musty, these extracts can also help to refresh the air. Just be sure to open a window to let the fumes out.
Tips to avoid spray paint smell from start
When you are planning to paint your home, the best way to avoid heavy fumes is to select a healthy alternative paint.
Like one with low or zero VOCs. VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids, like paint.
They can cause a variety of short- and long-term health effects, including eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, and even cancer.
So, it’s important to choose a paint that has low or no VOCs to protect your health and the health of your family.
Check weather
When painting your house, checking the weather forecast can help you avoid days when the humidity is high.
Humidity can cause paint fumes to be heavier and more concentrated, making them more difficult to avoid.
If you must paint on a day with high humidity, try to do so early in the morning or late in the evening when the air is cooler and the paint fumes are less likely to be as heavy.
Let paint dry
If you’re painting a room in your home, you’ll want to avoid heavy paint fumes from the start. Let each coat of paint dry completely before applying the next layer of paint.
Damp walls can trap fumes and slowly emit an odor for days or even weeks. If you can’t open windows or doors to ventilate the area, use a fan to circulate the air.
Paint in a well-ventilated area
To avoid heavy paint fumes from the start, keep the doors and windows open if possible to allow the fumes to dissipate into the air.
If you are painting a small room, you may want to open a window and use a fan to help circulate the air and keep the fumes from becoming too concentrated.
You should also avoid painting in enclosed spaces such as closets or cabinets, as the fumes can quickly build up in these areas and become overwhelming.
How long does it take for spray paint smell to disappear?
The length of time it takes for the smell of spray paint to dissipate can vary depending on the type of paint used.
The ventilation in the area where the paint was applied, and the temperature and humidity of the environment.
On average, it can take several hours to a few days for the smell to completely disappear. However, if the paint was used in a poorly ventilated area, the smell may linger for longer.
How do you make spray paint smell go away fast?
There are several ways to help make the smell of spray paint dissipate more quickly:
- Increase ventilation: Open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate and help remove the paint fumes. Use fans to circulate the air and speed up the process.
- Use an air purifier: An air purifier can help remove the paint fumes from the air, making the smell disappear more quickly.
- Use odor-eliminating products: Activated charcoal, baking soda, or white vinegar can help absorb and neutralize the smell of spray paint.
- Use natural remedies: Plants such as aloe vera, snake plants, and peace lilies can help purify the air and remove the smell of spray paint.
- Wait for the paint to dry: Allow the paint to dry completely before using the space, this will help the smell to dissipate more quickly.
It’s important to note that if the smell persists and becomes overwhelming, you should move to a ventilated area and seek professional help.
Is the smell of spray paint harmful?
The fumes from spray paint can be harmful if inhaled in large amounts over a long period of time.
The fumes contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals that can cause respiratory problems, headaches, and other symptoms.
Prolonged exposure to high levels of spray paint fumes can also increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
It is important to use spray paint in a well-ventilated area and to wear a mask or respirator to protect yourself from inhaling the fumes.
After using the spray paint it is advisable to wait for the paint to dry and the fumes to dissipate before re-entering the room.
If you experience symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, or breathing difficulties after using spray paint, seek medical attention immediately.
What neutralizes the smell of paint?
There are several methods that can be used to neutralize the smell of paint:
- Ventilation: Open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate and help remove the paint fumes. Use fans to circulate the air and speed up the process.
- Air purifiers: An air purifier with a HEPA filter can help remove the paint fumes from the air, making the smell disappear more quickly.
- Odor-eliminating products: Activated charcoal, baking soda, or white vinegar can help absorb and neutralize the smell of paint.
- Natural remedies: Plants such as aloe vera, snake plants, and peace lilies can help purify the air and remove the smell of paint.
- Essential oils: Certain essential oils such as lemon, lavender, and peppermint have natural deodorizing properties that can help neutralize the smell of paint.
- Charcoal: Activated charcoal can absorb odors from the air and can be placed in a room or container where paint fumes are present.
It’s important to keep in mind that these methods are meant to help neutralize the smell of paint, not to replace proper ventilation and personal protection equipment during the painting process.
Conclusion on how to get rid of spray paint smell
I hope that by now you are able to get rid of the spray paint smell with little effort and big savings.
If you are still struggling with the smell you can also consider buying paint smell remover products or you can ask a professional to help you with the job.
I would love to hear your feedback on this topic by commenting below this post or by contacting us directly in the comments section. I hope to hear from you soon!
Matthew Edward is a professional painter who loves to paint and wants to share useful tips and tricks which he had learned in many years of experience in painting. He also used many products that can be used for painting he has tried and tested each and every product to give an unbias opinion about it in his review. This blog is very useful for those newbies who want to learn painting without making mistakes.