Prep first
Before you start
- Check the can to see whether the paint is oil-based or water-based, and whether spray paint is involved.
- Make sure the lid on every paint can and solvent container is tight, since vapors leak from loose ones.
- Find which doors and windows open to the outside, because hallways won't help clear the air.
- Move drapes and furniture out of the way, or plan to cover them, since fumes soak into them.
Paint smell lingers because the fumes come from solvents and drying oils, and those keep releasing vapor for days after the wall looks dry. Carpet, drapes and furniture can soak up paint fumes too, so the smell can linger in them long after the walls have dried. Start by checking whether the room is getting real outdoor air, because a closed room holds the vapor.
Check whether the paint is oil-based or latex first, since alkyd paints can bring significantly more solvent exposure. Then open the windows and set a fan to clear paint smell out of the house fast. Getting paint smell out of the house takes steady airing over two to three days, so plan for that.
5 items
What you'll need
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- Box fanIt blows stale air out of a window, which carries vapors out of the room. (opens Amazon)
- Door stop or wedgeIt holds outside doors open so air can cross the room.
- Tight-fitting paint can lidsVapors leak from containers that aren't sealed properly.
- Drop cloths or furniture coversCovers keep paint fumes from soaking into drapes and furniture. (opens Amazon)
- Leftover paint and solvent cansGases leak even from closed containers, so they need to go to household hazardous waste days.
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5 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 5
Seal every paint can tightly
Press the lid onto every paint can and solvent container until it's fully closed, because vapors leak from containers that aren't sealed properly. Old or leftover paint and solvents should go to household hazardous waste days, since gases leak even from closed containers.
Tip. Buy only as much paint as you will use soon, so fewer cans sit around the house.
Step 2 of 5
Open the room to outside air
Open all doors and windows that lead outside, not hallways, and push curtains and blinds back so air can cross the room. Set a box fan securely in a window so it blows air out, and point it away from anyone else's space. Don't count on bathroom or kitchen exhaust fans, since they may not vent outdoors.
Tip. Put a door stop under an outside door so it stays open while you air the room.
Careful. Don't run an air conditioner in place of the fan.
Step 3 of 5
Keep the windows open for days
Keep the windows wide open for about two to three days after painting, weather permitting, and keep the fan running during that time. Dry paint is not automatically safe, since some paints have solvents or drying oils that take days to go away.
Tip. Warm air movement helps paint cure best, so keep air moving through the room rather than letting it sit.
Careful. If rain or snow comes, turn the window fan off and take it out to avoid shock.
Step 4 of 5
Take fresh air breaks while painting
Step outside into fresh air regularly while you paint, and avoid the freshly painted room for two to three days when you can. VOC levels can be 1,000 times outdoor levels during and just after activities such as paint stripping, so these breaks are worth taking.
Careful. Never use gasoline to clean brushes.
Step 5 of 5
Air out drapes, carpet and furniture
Paint fumes, even from latex paint, can soak into drapes, carpet and furniture. Keep those items in the airflow from the open windows while the room airs out, rather than closing them away.
Finished? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely before you use it again.
How to tell it's really done →A faint smell often fades as everything dries and airs out; give it a day before a second round.
Find the guide for your stain →Heavy grime or a lingering smell usually needs a second round once it's fully dry.
See what to do for what you're seeing →When to call a professional →How to tell it's done
The room is clean when paint smell no longer hits you on the way in, after two to three days of airing with the paint dry for that long. If the smell is still there, keep the windows open and the fan running, since some paints take days to release their solvents.
If there is a stain too
Related guides
A smell usually has a stain or a spill behind it. These guides cover the cleanup in detail:
What changes for yours
Adjust for the paint
Oil-based paint
Oil-based (alkyd) paint can bring significantly more solvent exposure than latex, so the airing matters more. Extinguish any flames, pilot lights and heaters in the room before you start, and keep oil-based paint away from heat, sparks and open flame.
Don't cut the airing short with this paint, since its solvents can take days to clear. Keep the box fan blowing out and the windows open for the whole two to three days.
Latex paint
Water-based latex paint gives off fewer chemicals and lower vapors than oil-based, so the smell is usually lighter. Fumes can still soak into drapes, carpet and furniture, so those still need airing out.
Keep ventilating for two to three days anyway, because even dry latex paint isn't automatically safe. Set up the box fan and open the windows before you start painting, and keep them going after.
Spray paint
Aerosol spray paint contains methylene chloride, so use it outdoors when possible. If you have to spray indoors, only do it in a room with plenty of ventilation.
Keep the windows open and the fan running while you spray, and take fresh air breaks often. Give the room the full two to three days of airing afterward, since spray fumes can settle into drapes, carpet and furniture.
Apartment
Vapors move between units as shared air, so painting in an apartment can affect the neighbors too. Vent the painted apartment and any neighboring apartments outdoors with box fans.
Point each fan away from anyone else's space, and open the doors that lead outside rather than the hallway. Keep this up for the full airing time, because the fumes can drift between units while the room dries.
Prevention
Keep the smell from coming back
Instead of a set deep clean schedule, make ventilation the routine. Every time you paint or use solvents, open the windows and run the fan first, and increase airflow whenever you use products that give off VOCs.
Buy only as much paint as you'll use soon, and keep every can's lid pressed on tight in between jobs. Take old or leftover cans to household hazardous waste days, since gases leak even from closed containers.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies get rid of the smell?
Most household cleaners don't fix paint smell, because the fumes come from solvents that need to leave the room. Baking soda has a real deodorizing role, but it supports ventilation rather than replacing it.
Helps1Skip4Avoid1
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't skip the drapes and furniture
Fumes soak into soft furnishings, so a room can be aired out while the couch still smells of paint. Move them into the airflow or cover them before painting, when you can.
Don't paint without air crossing the room
Cross-ventilation carries vapors out of the room, so one open window isn't enough on its own. Push curtains and blinds back, and open doors and windows to the outside on different walls.
Don't scrub flat or matte walls hard
Flat and matte finishes are less durable, and heavy pressure can damage them. If you wipe scuffs with baking soda and water, use a gentle touch and don't over-wet the wall.
Don't mix products without checking the label
Never mix household care products unless the label says it's safe to do so. Vinegar must never be combined with bleach, so keep those two apart.
Troubleshooting
If the smell comes back
Pick what you're seeing:
The smell comes back after a few days
Some paints keep releasing solvents for days after they feel dry, so the smell can return. Keep the windows open and the fan running until the smell is gone, and keep every can's lid sealed in the meantime.
Drapes or furniture still smell
Fumes can soak into soft furnishings and keep giving off smell after the walls have aired. Put them back into the airflow from the open windows, and don't move them into a closed room until they've aired out.
Eyes water or you feel dizzy in the room
Leave the painted area right away and get fresh air. Go back in only after the windows and fan have been running and the room feels clear.
When to call a professional
Leave the painted area if your eyes water or you get headaches, dizziness or breathing problems. VOC symptoms also include eye, nose and throat irritation, so don't treat those as normal.
Questions
Why does paint smell like rotten eggs or bad?
Don't assume a rotten-egg or bad smell is harmless, and check the can before you use it. Look for a loose lid or damage, since vapors leak from improperly sealed containers, and take old or damaged paint to household hazardous waste days.
Do air fresheners get rid of paint smell?
No, a scent can cover the smell for a while, but it doesn't remove the paint vapors. Ventilation is what clears them, so keep the windows open and the fan running.
When can I use the room again?
Plan on two to three days of airing as a rule of thumb, even if the walls feel dry. Use the room once the smell has faded and the windows have been open for that time.
What is the best time of year to paint?
Dry fall or spring is the best choice, since windows can stay open for the airing. Plan around the weather, because rain or snow makes it harder to keep windows open.
Can I sleep in a room that was just painted?
It's best to avoid it for two to three days when you can. If you have to use the room, keep the windows open to the outside and the fan blowing out.
Do I need to move the drapes before painting?
Yes, if you can, since fumes soak into drapes, carpet and furniture. If you can't move them, cover them before you start.
Start from the bigger picture
More odor guides
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.