That fresh coat of paint might look great, but the strong smell left behind is often far from pleasant. It can feel like the odour just hangs in the room and doesn’t want to leave. For many people, especially those with allergies or breathing concerns, the scent becomes more than just annoying. It can cause headaches, reduce comfort, and interrupt your daily routine.
Summer in Ottawa is a popular season to brighten up indoor spaces. A newly painted room offers a beautiful visual change, but once the painters pack up, you’re left dealing with the lingering smell. Warm weather can trap those odours if windows need to stay closed due to rain or high humidity. Getting rid of that scent as soon as possible is key to keeping a comfortable, welcoming space.
Understanding The Causes Of Paint Odours
Before trying to get rid of a smell, it helps to understand where it comes from. Most paint odours are caused by volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These are chemicals that get released into the air as the paint dries, and they’re the source of that powerful “new paint” scent.
Oil-based paints usually contain more VOCs than water-based types. That means the smell tends to be stronger and take longer to fade. These paints are typically used in spots like cabinets or trim, where you want durability, but that strength comes with a sharper, longer-lasting odour. Water-based paints create less of an issue, but even they release some fumes.
Room conditions play a big role, too. A poorly ventilated space or damp, humid air can trap paint smells. Small rooms without windows are especially likely to develop a lingering scent. Temperature can also affect how paint dries. A hot room without any air circulation gives those fumes more time to hang around.
Knowing what fuels the smell helps you make smarter choices about paint types, room prep, and what steps to take after the painting is done.
Immediate Steps To Reduce Paint Odours
The first few hours after painting are when the smell is strongest and easier to manage. Starting the clean air process early can make all the difference.
Here are a few ways to tackle the smell right away:
– Open windows and doors to create airflow. Even if the weather’s muggy, fresh air is your secret weapon.
– Set up box fans or stand-up fans to blow the air towards open windows. This helps direct fumes out of the house.
– Use air purifiers, especially those with charcoal filters. These are designed to filter chemical odours from the air.
– Place bowls of activated charcoal in different corners of the room. This natural absorber can pull smells from the environment.
– Keep interior doors open throughout your home. This stops the smell from getting trapped in one area.
Turn on your HVAC system’s fan or bathroom fans that vent outdoors. This promotes better airflow throughout the home. It’s a good idea to keep these going for as long as your paint takes to dry or longer if you still notice the scent.
If you wait too long, the paint smell can bond with soft fabrics like rugs, curtains, or upholstered furniture. Acting early gives those odours less time to latch onto other surfaces.
Natural Remedies And Odour Absorbers
Once you’ve taken care of ventilation, you can explore some gentle, natural ways to help freshen up your home. Many common items already in your kitchen or garden can support this process without adding more chemicals to the air.
Try these home-friendly methods:
– Place small bowls of white vinegar around the painted area overnight. Vinegar does a good job at pulling scent molecules from the air.
– Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, fabric-covered furniture, or rugs. Let it sit, then vacuum the area. This helps absorb trapped odours.
– Slice an onion and place it cut-side down in a bowl of water. Leave it in the room until morning. Some people find this approach surprisingly helpful.
If you’ve got houseplants, bring a few into the space. Greenery like spider plants, peace lilies, and ferns are not only visually calming, but they can also help clean the air. While they won’t tackle all VOCs, they support a better indoor environment.
Essential oils such as lemon, eucalyptus, or lavender can mask lingering smells. A few drops in a diffuser should be enough. Just avoid overdoing it, as too much scent can be overpowering or cause irritation for some people.
Remember to keep all remedies out of reach of pets and young children, and test products in smaller areas first just to be sure they won’t damage furniture or flooring.
The Benefits Of Hiring Professional Painters In Ottawa
There’s a noticeable difference between a do-it-yourself paint job and one handled by professionals, especially when it comes to comfort and air quality afterward. When you work with expert painters for residential painting in Ottawa, you get more than just smooth walls and clean finishes.
One major benefit is product selection. Professionals often use low-VOC or no-VOC paints that release fewer odours. With these options, your home can smell fresh again much sooner.
Professionals also come prepared with ventilation tools and drying strategies. They know which windows to open, where to place fans, and how humidity affects each step. Their prep work helps prevent fumes from building up in small or closed rooms, which is important in places like basements or bathrooms.
They often finish projects faster, too. A quicker job means less time for odours to linger. Many of the long-lasting smells come from extended drying times, especially when air doesn’t move. Professionals paint with timing and airflow in mind.
Say you’re painting a family room during Ottawa’s June heat. A professional crew might suggest starting early in the day and using fast-drying low-VOC paint with all proper airflow systems already set up. The difference in smell and comfort would be clear by evening.
A job well done should look great and smell like it’s ready to enjoy. That’s where hiring professionals pays off.
Keeping Your Home Fresh After Painting
Once the smell starts to fade, don’t stop there. Some fumes can stick to fabrics and surfaces long after the room feels dry. Taking a few extra steps helps prevent odours from creeping back.
Keep small fans running on a low setting for a few days. Open doors between rooms so your whole home gets fresh airflow. If the smell seems to come back, focus on any cloth items in the space. Wash slipcovers, curtains, and throw pillows when needed.
These small habits help keep the smell at bay:
– Use air purifiers in well-used spaces like bedrooms or living rooms
– Open basement windows when possible, and run dehumidifiers during damp weather
– Avoid strong chemical cleaners that could mix with traces of paint fumes
– Let packages, shoes, or bags air out before bringing them into freshly painted zones
If you’re planning to paint again, aim to book in dryer parts of the summer when the air inside can move more freely. Adding these extra touches on top of professional help means your space won’t just look great—it’ll feel clean, light, and ready to enjoy. When residential painting in Ottawa lines up with good airflow and smart planning, the results speak for themselves.
Ready to say goodbye to lingering paint smells and enjoy a freshly revitalized home? Trust Picasso Paints to provide expert solutions for your painting needs. Discover how our team can assist with residential painting in Ottawa to create a beautiful, odour-free environment. Let us handle the details, so you can breathe easy.