How to Get Rid of Fresh Paint Smell in a House

Onions help absorb the fumes from freshly painted walls.

Nothing spruces up a room like a fresh coat of paint. The downside, though, is the harsh fumes. A newly painted room can be overwhelming and can cause a person to get dizzy or get a headache. Preventive measures can be taken to decrease the smell. A few simple methods can also be carried out after the work is finished to keep the fumes to a minimum.

Things You'll Need

• Vanilla extract
• Odor-eliminating spray
• Onions
• Medium-sized bowls
• Cold water

Instructions

1. Add 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract per gallon of paint before painting. This will decrease the intensity of paint odor.

2. Fill a few medium-sized bowls with cold water. Cut up a few onions into small pieces and distribute them among the bowls of water. Place the bowls in rooms that have been painted.

3. Keep doors and windows open during the painting process, so fumes can escape outside.

4. Spray carpets, rugs and fabric furniture with an odor eliminating spray while the paint is drying.

References

• Impressionist Painting: House Painting Odors -- Getting Rid of the Smell