{"id":1876,"date":"2022-05-09T14:01:35","date_gmt":"2022-05-09T14:01:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whatblueprint.com\/?p=1876"},"modified":"2023-04-14T13:33:40","modified_gmt":"2023-04-14T13:33:40","slug":"how-long-does-paint-smell-last-in-a-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatblueprint.com\/how-long-does-paint-smell-last-in-a-house\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Does Paint Smell Last In A House?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Painting your home\u2019s interior is a great, cost-effective renovation project. However, even once you\u2019ve waited for the paint coats to dry, the paint fumes will continue to linger. Due to this, many homeowners have wondered how long their homes will smell of paint fumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How long paint fumes last after painting a home depends on the type of paint that is used. With regular paints containing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), smells can last anywhere between 14 and 24 weeks before fully dissipating. With low-VOC and no-VOC, paint smells will only last for a few days.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re going to explain what you need to know about lingering paint fumes in your home. Once we\u2019ve discussed how long these smells tend to last, we\u2019ll look at whether these fumes are harmful, how to avoid inhaling them, and effective ways to remove the paint smell from your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to understand how long paint smells will last in your home, you need to understand the four main components that comprise paints. Of course, these are pigments, binders, solvents, and additives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While pigments are used to achieve the desired color, binders help paints dry faster. Solvents are used to dissolve the pigment and binders into the paint. Finally, additives like VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are added to enhance the thickness and durability of the paint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the ingredients in paint react with the air, paint smells or fumes are released. While these paint smells can result from many of the chemicals in the mixture, VOCs are the largest contributor and are considered the most harmful. These VOC additives can transform from liquid or solid states to gas, which is where the paint smell typically comes from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once paints with VOC additives start drying, these fumes become more intense. Generally, fumes will subside within a few days but can last for months. Overall, these fumes will take between 14 and 24 weeks to dissipate fully. Of course, this means homeowners may be stuck with that unwanted paint smell for a couple of months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ultimately, the severity of the smell and how long it lasts will depend on the type of paint that was used. For instance, water-based paints will use smaller quantities of VOCs than solvent-based paints. There are also many ways to aid the removal of these fumes from your home, which can also reduce the amount of time these fumes take to disappear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to these regular VOC paints, there are now low-VOC and no-VOC paints available to consumers. These specialized paints use less Volatile Organic Compounds than other paints. Low-VOC paints typically have less than 50 grams of VOCs per liter, while no-VOC paints will have less than 5 grams of these harmful additives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With low-VOC and no-VOC paints, the resulting fumes will be less intense. Furthermore, these fumes will also dissipate faster than paints with higher VOC content. With low-VOC paints, these resulting fumes will dissipate within four days. Of course, odors caused by no-VOC paints will clear even faster, typically within two days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To summarize this, regular paints with VOCs will take between 14 and 24 weeks for the smell to vanish. Low-VOC paints, on the other hand, only take four days for fumes to dissipate, while the fumes of no-VOC paints dissipate within two days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Earlier in this article, we discussed how paint fumes are formed and how long they take to subside. Of course, the amount of time the paint fumes take to dissipate depends on the type of paint you use. However, you may be wondering how long you need to wait to sleep in your freshly painted home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ultimately, this depends on the type of paint you used and how many VOCs are used in it. As a golden rule, people should wait at least three days (72 hours) before sleeping in a freshly painted room. Within three days, the paint fumes will have subsided, and the room will be safe to sleep in again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, this is just a general guideline. Once you notice the paint fumes have largely subsided, you\u2019ll be able to sleep in a freshly painted room. However, it\u2019s important that you wait at least three days, as these fumes can have adverse effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The chemicals present in paint fumes, particularly VOCs, can cause short- and long-term health effects when the fumes are inhaled. Ultimately, this is the reason homeowners are advised to wait 72 hours before sleeping in a freshly painted room. Let\u2019s look at some of the short-term and long-term health effects linked to inhaling paint fumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When paint fumes are inhaled, the fumes can cause your skin, eyes, or throat to become irritated. For those with allergies, these irritations could be more severe. Regardless of the specific type of irritation, getting some fresh air will help alleviate your symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your skin is irritated, you can wash the affected area with soap and water. If the fumes irritate your eyes, you should rinse your eyes with running water for at least ten minutes before closing them for another ten minutes. If your throat becomes irritated, drinking small amounts of milk or water can reduce symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paint fumes have also been known to cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea when inhaled. This is particularly common in poorly ventilated areas. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should get some fresh air immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once again, this will help alleviate your headache, dizziness, or nausea. If these fume-related symptoms do not subside, you should seek medical attention or call Poison Control (800-222-1222).<\/p>\n\n\n\n When using paints with chemicals like VOCs in them, the fumes can result in breathing difficulties. For those with conditions like asthma, these fumes can be particularly harmful. Those with difficulty breathing should steer clear of these fumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, studies have shown that prolonged exposure to VOCs can result in organ and nervous system damage. This is a testament to how harmful these chemicals can be when inhaled, which leads us to our last point regarding the long-term effects of inhaling paint smells. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHow Long Does Paint Smell Last In Homes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can You Sleep In A Freshly Painted House?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Are Paint Fumes Harmful When Inhaled?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Paint Fumes Can Cause Irritations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Paint Fumes Can Cause Headaches, Dizziness, And Nausea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Paint Fumes Can Cause Breathing Difficulties <\/h3>\n\n\n\n