What to do if your apartment smells like paint: how to get rid of it after painting

Fight or be patient?

At first glance, it may seem that this is not a very significant inconvenience, and after a short time you can sniff it and stop noticing the stench, or simply wait until it disappears, without fooling yourself about how to remove the smell of paint from the apartment. This point of view is very dangerous, because the smell of paint is not only, and not so much a banal inconvenience. This is also a direct threat to health, especially if there are children or thin women in the house, for whose small mass the dangerous concentration of toxic substances is quite low.

Acute intoxication with paint vapors is not so rare in medical practice, and is manifested by the following symptoms:

• Intense headache that gets worse over time;

• Redness and itching of the mucous membrane of the eyes, lacrimation;

• Dizziness, possible confusion;

• Unpleasant taste in the mouth, nausea and vomiting that does not bring relief;

• Frequent loose stools;

• A faint and later distinct odor of acetone from the mouth.

As you can see, the manifestations are nonspecific and can easily be mistaken for ordinary food poisoning or an intestinal infection. Do not ignore the first symptoms, especially in children; if a child remains indoors, they can get seriously poisoned, disrupting the functioning of the respiratory center. In addition, do not forget about possible allergic reactions in the form of skin rashes or suffocation, as well as exacerbation of bronchial asthma.

photo from the site https://otravleniy.net/

Know how to help!

At the first signs of poisoning, you should immediately leave the apartment, ensure free breathing by removing tight clothes or unfastening your belt or collar. Drink plenty of alkaline mineral water, and try to lie down. Rinse eyes with plenty of water.

Basic methods for eliminating paint odor

Unfortunately, household air fresheners are not suitable for getting rid of chemical fumes in a room after renovation: they do not completely eliminate the strong smell of oil paint. In such a situation, it is advisable to take other measures:

• organize a draft in the home to ventilate toxic fumes, that is, ventilate well;
• carry out general cleaning, wipe the floor and interior parts with water with the addition of absorbent substances;
• place open basins or other large containers with water in the rooms, hang wet towels;
• use air washers or ozonizers;
• apply absorbents;
• overpower the amber with a more persistent aroma using substances that are safe for health.

With these steps, we are guaranteed to get rid of the unpleasant smell in the apartment at home.

Good to know! The evaporation of paint and varnish materials during repairs will be significantly less if you keep the windows open during painting, clean brushes and tools outdoors, and use modern surface coating products (for example, those made on a water-based emulsion).

Preventive measures

It is easier to prevent a problem than to solve it. So follow a few tips:

• do not use toxic solvents or paints. It's simple. Forget about oil paint - use water-based paint. This paint dries faster and does not smell. Acrylic is also suitable: it dissolves with water until it dries completely. Afterwards the surface can be washed without danger. The type of paint determines how quickly you will inhabit the room;
• Solvents can be the culprit for the unpleasant smell of paint in the apartment. Acetone, white spirit, turpentine are much more toxic than acrylic and oil. Do not open them indoors, clean brushes in the yard or on the balcony;
• toxic substances eat into textiles. While you are renovating your home, remove upholstered furniture, carpets, and curtains. If there is nowhere to put the sofa, wrap it in film and seal the cracks with tape;
• open windows while applying paint. This will help quickly remove the smell of paint after renovation: “the toxic substances will simply go away.”

Advanced Tools

To use them you will have to spend money, but the investment will definitely pay off nicely.

1. Incense . Incense sticks that need to be lit emit smoke, and not everyone likes it. And they must be used in a ventilated area. It is also important not to overdo it.
2. Aroma lamps. They save when the smell is not strong or are used after ventilation. The cheapest ones will cost about 300 rubles. If you wish, you can make such an accessory yourself.

3. Ozonation. An advanced option that consists in destroying various bacteria and eliminating unwanted odors. All you have to do is call specialists and then enjoy the renewed atmosphere in your home.
4. Automatic air fresheners . Heavy artillery, since you need to buy several sprays equipped with automatic equipment. Plus they can be dangerous for the respiratory tract.

Related article: How to turn a window sill into a relaxing place [5 cozy tips]

What to do before starting repairs

If you are planning to do a renovation soon, then remember that it would be much wiser not to eliminate the odor of paintwork after completion, but simply try to prevent its appearance, here’s how to do it:

• Before applying paint to walls or other surfaces, add a little lemon or mint extract to it, because, as you know, essential oils perfectly eliminate unpleasant odors;
• Repairs should be carried out at a time when the apartment is warm enough and the air is well heated, because paint dries quickly only in warm rooms. But if your apartment is humid and you are constantly freezing, then before starting active actions, it is recommended to warm it up thoroughly. This can be done using a conventional air conditioner or desiccant;
• If the renovation is carried out in the summer, then you will need to open all the windows wide, and, preferably, also the doors. This is the only way you can create a strong draft that will not allow such aromas to linger in the room.

As you can see, the rules are very basic, but if you take them into account, you won’t have to rack your brains about how to remove the smell after repairs.

Radical campaign

If none of the above has brought adequate relief, and residents are bothered by an intrusive smell, have difficulty breathing in the rooms, and allergies often appear, this is a signal for radical remedies.

Perhaps the reason is furniture made from cheap chipboard, which is saturated with harmful formaldehyde. If the concentration of hazardous substances is too high, it takes too long for the chemicals to erode. The solution is to replace the problematic furniture. If possible, it is better to replace it with simple functional options made of pine, which is not only durable, but also has a beneficial effect on the air in the room.

Another source of persistent odor is various coatings. It is worth assessing the materials and quality of the coating on the ceiling, walls, and floor. The problem may be in the material with which they are covered, or in the paints and varnishes applied to them. This cannot be done without rework, and you will have to be especially picky when choosing new products.

If it is difficult for apartment owners to determine the cause of a persistent chemical odor after renovation, you can use the services of an expert who will find out the source of the unwanted odors and give recommendations on how to solve the problem.

The plan for dealing with chemical odors after renovation is simple. Airing starts first, then you can start with home remedies like wet rags and odor-absorbing products, or switch to fragrances and incense. Also, do not forget about professionals who can find the source of the odor and eliminate it in a short time.

Elimination of odors in cars and rooms, dry fog (1 video)

How to get rid of “chemical” odors after renovation (8 photos)

Does wet cleaning and ventilation help?

Intensive ventilation is the first step that needs to be taken after finishing painting work. If possible, you need to ventilate for at least a day. This process not only removes the first persistent vapors, but also allows you to remove humidity from the room and increase the temperature, which will affect the drying time, as well as the speed of removal. However, this method is good only at the initial stage. Next, you should resort to other methods.

You can turn on the fan to increase air circulation.

Intensive ventilation is the first step that needs to be taken after finishing painting work.

How else can you remove the unpleasant smell after renovation?

Of course, traditional methods are very helpful, but there are also specialized odor neutralizers that are also effectively used in residential areas. Of course, the safest method is airing, but it takes weeks to naturally eliminate unpleasant odors.

If the smell does not go away for one reason or another, or you urgently need to move into your home after repairs have been carried out, then you should use the services of our professionals.

Why us? We work with high-quality, safe drugs that have certificates from Europe and Russia. Our cleaning of apartments after renovation is carried out using powerful equipment that provides high efficiency. We work around the clock, quickly go to the site, and achieve the desired result in just a few hours.

If you are not sure how to remove stains and are afraid of damaging the product, then contact the professionals! We are guaranteed to return your favorite item to its purity and freshness!

Basic methods of struggle

If you still were unable to prevent the appearance of a specific aroma, then in order to have fresh air in the apartment, you will need to try hard. Here's what is usually used for these purposes:

1. Ventilation;
2. Wet cleaning of the apartment;
3. Smoking;
4. Natural absorbents;
5. Lasting aromas.

All these methods have proven themselves quite well and are more than effective. But keep in mind that it is not always possible to cope with the task the first time; it is likely that you will need to use several methods at once to stop the smell of paint in your apartment.

Wet cleaning

It is no secret to anyone that the best way to get rid of an unpleasant odor in an apartment is with fresh air, and no one needs to talk about how ventilation is carried out. But not everyone knows that you can eliminate the smell of paint using wet cleaning. Here's how it can be done:

• Add 2 tablespoons of dry mustard powder to 10 liters of cold water. Mix it all thoroughly, and carefully walk the resulting solution over the floor and furniture;
• You can also clean your apartment using a vinegar solution. All you need to do is mix 5 liters of water and a tablespoon of vinegar essence.

Smoking

Regular or scented candles can also help you remove paint smells after a renovation. In addition, it is worth noting that such products have a very low price, so you do not have to spend much on them.

In each room you will need to light several candles, and place them at a decent distance from each other. They should burn for at least 5-6 hours, during which time the particles that cause the unpleasant odor will burn out. The undoubted advantage of this method is that after such a procedure your apartment will smell very pleasant. But be careful, such an event must be carried out very carefully.

We use a bow

It is the strongest natural absorbent and will help you get rid of the smell of repairs. By the way, you can also use garlic as an alternative, since it also has a very strong smell. To ensure that the room no longer smells of paint and varnish products, follow the following algorithm of actions:

• Grate any of these vegetables on a fine grater (you should have a decent capacity of puree);
• Now it will need to be divided into several identical parts and placed everything on saucers;
• Place them carefully throughout the apartment in each room.

After 7 hours, not a trace of the unpleasant aroma will remain. In addition, many people also choose coffee, baking soda or salt as a natural absorbent.

Now you know how to remove paint smell from your apartment. As you can see, coping with this task is not so difficult, and you can choose absolutely any method that you like. And, of course, you shouldn’t forget that in addition to the above methods, there are special automatic air fresheners on sale today that will also help you correct the situation.

Get rid of odor after renovation

Get rid of the smell after renovation in an apartment or office. How to quickly remove the sour smell of plaster, putty, remove the acrid smell of paint. We effectively eliminate unpleasant odors in any premises in Moscow and the Moscow region.

The smell of paint after renovation brings back memories of September 1, when a freshly painted school greets students. However, romantic memories of school years end as soon as you have to deal with a strong and pungent smell in real life. In your apartment, at your workplace in the office. Headache and nausea are a standard set of symptoms of poisoning. How to get rid of the smell after renovation? How long does it last? We will figure it out together with you.

What does the apartment smell like after renovation?

Half of the periodic table is floating in the air after a major overhaul. In new buildings, after finishing, literally everything emits a smell:

• wall materials - concrete, putty, primer, insulation, drywall;
• finishing materials - paint, plaster, wallpaper (non-woven, vinyl);
• flooring materials - linoleum, carpet, laminate (especially underlays);
• stretch ceiling;
• plastic windows;
• lamps and chandeliers (base, wiring, lamps);
• furniture made of MDF, chipboard.

Chemical aromas are especially noticeable in the first months after completion of work. It's not just an unpleasant smell that makes your head foggy. This is a truly dangerous mix of toxic substances. If you do not purposefully remove the smell, after repair, at best, you will have to breathe for 3-6 months:

• phenol
• ammonia
• formaldehyde
• styrene
• vinyl chlorides.

All these substances have carcinogenic, mutagenic and allergenic properties. A toxic cocktail depresses all body systems and can cause serious problems. Odor removal after renovation reduces the level of hazardous compounds, providing a pleasant aroma and a healthy environment in which to live and work.

Why is there an unpleasant smell in the room after renovation?

The question naturally arises: how do such dangerous building materials get into our apartments?

They fake everything: from mixtures to linoleum and roller blinds. A label with a well-known brand is printed on a cheap analogue and sold slightly cheaper than the original. And who would refuse a freebie? Developers benefit greatly from such purchases. However, no one is safe from fakes.

• Expired date

Expired putty, for example, smells sour. Many other consumables have limited expiration dates. Next time, be sure to look at the release date of the purchased building materials.

• Material used for exterior use

Bitumen indoors? - Please! OSB board - as much as you like! And then, with the windows closed, the smell from the renovation is terrible. It can only be removed from the room together with the source of the stench itself.

• Additives used

We are talking about those materials that dry faster, retain their plasticity longer, etc. To give traditional materials new qualities, they use chemicals that can smell pungent.

• Mold, fungus

The standard approach of domestic and foreign builders: make it look beautiful, but don’t think about ventilation. With PVC ceilings and plastic windows, linoleum on the floor and non-woven fabric on the walls, the room becomes airtight. Poor air exchange leads to increased humidity, and this, in turn, leads to the formation of mold on the walls. And mold increases the smell after renovation.

• Technologies were not followed

Haste is a momentary benefit. In practice, hasty repairs can lead to delays in drying/curing of materials. For example, wallpaper glued over damp plaster leads to the formation of mold.

How to get rid of the smell after renovation?

If you are not tolerant of chemical smells and care about your health. Also, commercial facilities - restaurants, hotels, offices - here an unpleasant, pungent odor is not acceptable at all. How to create a pleasant, inviting atmosphere when everything around you stinks of paint? There is no expectation that guests will be satisfied with their dinner or relaxation in such conditions. The only sure way is to purposefully remove the smell immediately after the repair.

How to remove paint smell from a room?

So, the renovation is complete, you need to move into the apartment. All that remains is to eliminate the odors. And, preferably, quickly. The easiest way is to open the windows, but this option is not always effective enough. A special product - spray - quickly removes odors. But this is not the best option either: such sprays interrupt aromas and do not eliminate toxic substances contained in the air. There will be no smell, but you will definitely notice a headache and nausea.

So what to do?

• When cleaning after renovation, open all windows. Ideally, create a draft - this way the air will flow faster and the aroma will disappear in a few hours. When cleaning, be sure to remove all solvents and paint residues. It’s better to throw them in the trash than to get poisoned and go to the hospital;
• If it’s winter outside and you can’t leave the windows open, the air conditioner will take over the airing of the room. It is important that it has an air filter, otherwise there will be no point. You can even take an air washer. Both are expensive, but for a resident of a big city, where there is a high risk of smog, smoke due to forest fires or a permanently burning landfill, this is a relevant purchase;
• don't want to spend a lot? Buy a simple humidifier. It costs 2-3 thousand rubles and does not require much space. A humidifier will quickly remove any unpleasant odor in your apartment. It works simply: particles of moisture (not steam, mind you) are sprayed in the air, heavier substances “stick” to them, which settle on horizontal surfaces. You will have to wash floors, window sills, and countertops often and a lot - until the “aroma” completely disappears. Please note: it is better to turn on the humidifier at full power, and close the doors and windows in the room tightly. Then the device will work perfectly;
• Do you want to do without spending at all? In this case, you will have to combine ventilation with wet cleaning. Particles of paintwork materials will sooner or later settle on the floor - and all that remains is to rinse it well. Do wet cleaning every day for a week or two - and there will be no trace of the “chemicals” left.

How to quickly eliminate the smell if it is insignificant and you do not risk going? It's still simpler. Along with ventilation, use neutralizers. These can be special sprays or purely folk remedies: onions, lemon, vinegar, burning candles, wet sheets. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. You can try many of them.

Before you start fighting the “odors,” don’t forget to check the house again. Perhaps there is a loosely closed jar or bottle of solvent left somewhere. Perhaps something has not dried completely yet. Try to be patient: you definitely shouldn’t move immediately after painting: you risk sending yourself and your household to a hospital bed.

How to remove the smell from an apartment after renovation?

Apartment renovation is like a fire: it causes panic, empties your wallet and leaves behind a lot of unpleasant “odors.” And if wallpaper glue is easy to deal with, and the new laminate smells rather pleasant, then the prospect of painting and subsequent weathering is simply depressing. It is extremely difficult to remove the smell in the house after renovation, even if you decide to paint only the window sill or door. However, not everything is as terrible as it seems.

Please note: you need to remove odors after renovation before you move into the house. Paint fumes are toxic and can cause dizziness and even poisoning. If your home still smells like paint, it’s too early to move here, and especially move children and pets. Wait. And be sure to use our tips.

Getting rid of odor with onions

This crop has a natural tendency to absorb unpleasant odors. White and yellow varieties of onions purify the air best.

Operating procedure:

1. Large and medium-sized bulbs are freed from the outer peel and cut into even halves with a knife.
2. A separate plate or any other stand is prepared for each of the halves. In large rooms their number can be doubled or tripled. The cut part of the onion should face up.
3. The opposite walls of the room are chosen as the points for placing the bowls. The onion is left until the air is completely purified (sometimes one night is enough for this).
4. Upon completion of the procedure, the contents of the plates are thrown into the trash. It is unsafe to eat due to the absorbed toxins.

Additionally

5. There are special primers (for example, Zinsser) that are used after fires to block the burning smell.

Odor eliminators like OdorGone, which are used when washing floors and walls, also sometimes help

7. You can invite a laboratory like the sanitary and epidemiological station to conduct an odor analysis.

Photo: Instagram @egcdez

8. There is such a service as ozonation . This is cleaning using ozone, which destroys all known microorganisms. In Moscow, such a service costs approximately 1,500 rubles per room.

9. If nothing helps for several months, call a specialist. They may be able to discover the cause of the odor. It can be hidden in low-quality materials, and then the smell will disappear for years, and also in the fact that some materials do not combine well with each other . For example, the laminate may not be compatible with the substrate.

• Material prepared by: Anna Parshagina

Additional measures

To eliminate paint odor, you can also use various fragrances:

• scented candles (by the way, fire has the property of burning solvent molecules);
• aroma oils;
• freshly brewed natural coffee.

Of course, these substances are additional measures. But, if you use various methods of getting rid of foreign odors in a room in a comprehensive manner, then the aroma of a cup of coffee or a candle will not be superfluous at all. They will cheer up the inhabitants of the house and make the atmosphere more comfortable.

Other tips:

• How much does it cost to clean an apartment: calculation
• How many calories are burned when cleaning an apartment: calculator
• How to quickly get rid of the smell of dog urine in an apartment

How to get rid of the smell of renovation in an apartment

The fact that a fresh renovation gives the apartment a completely different atmosphere and will delight the owners for a long time is no secret to anyone. But, as you know, not a single major repair can be done without the use of varnish, putty, glue, paint, plaster and other building materials, and they have a rather pungent odor. Such aromas are often the cause of not only a bad mood, but also poor health and long-term headaches. The question of how to get rid of the smell of paint in an apartment still remains relevant.

Using charcoal and coffee beans

These substances also have good sorbing characteristics.

You need to do this:

1. Grind the material. When working with charcoal, you can operate manually (just wear work gloves). A coffee grinder is usually used to grind coffee beans. The grind level should be coarse.
2. Pour the prepared sorbent into bowls in a thin layer. For larger spaces, you can use dishes or trays. Stands with material are evenly placed on the floor or stools.
3. The duration of the procedure is until the air is completely purified. This usually takes at least 12 hours. The door to the room must be tightly closed.
4. After finishing cleaning, the contents of the trays are poured into bags and taken to the trash.