How to Get Rid of Paint Smell

Choose your paint wisely. Higher-quality paints have a lower odor. The potentially harmful compounds in paint are volatile organic compounds. The VOC level is listed on the paint can, so either compare the numbers, or ask someone at your paint store. The lower the VOC, the fewer fumes the paint gives off as it dries.

Open enough windows to create a cross current while you paint. If you have a fan, place it near a window to draw the smell outdoors. Paint has the strongest odor while wet and drying. It will release fumes for about a month as it cures. Use fans and open windows as often as possible during drying.

Complete your painting project in the early part of the day so it has time to air out before closing the house up for the night. The higher the humidity, the slower paint dries. Turn on a dehumidifier while the paint dries.

Prevent fumes in the room you are painting from spreading to the rest of the house by blocking the air-conditioning or heating returns. Turn off or block the openings so fumes from the work room so fumes aren’t pulled into the system to circulate to other areas in the home.