How to Get Rid of an Oil Paint Odor

Oil-based paint odors come from evaporation of solvents, resins and plasticizers as the paint dries and, because some compounds evaporate slowly, the fumes tend to linger in a freshly painted area. Exposure to these paint fumes can cause headaches, dizziness and other health effects, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but proper ventilation will help you remove oil paint odors. Ordinary kitchen ingredients will also help you mask and reduce paint odors while the compounds evaporate.

Box fans
Large onions
White distilled vinegar
Pure vanilla extract
Cotton balls
Coffee grounds

Instructions

- 1
  Open all windows in the room and keep them open at all times, if possible, for the duration of paint application and for approximately three days afterward.
- 2
  Place a box fan in the window with the air blowing out of the room, and turn on exhaust and ceiling fans. Close the door to the room, if possible, or place box fans in nearby rooms with the air blowing toward the painted room.
- 3
  Expose all interior painted surfaces, such as closet and cabinet interiors, to ventilation by leaving their doors open. The Paints and Coatings Resource Center notes that volatile compounds must escape for elimination of paint odors.
- 4
  Cut large onions into quarters and set them on plates throughout the room to absorb paint odors, as recommended by Heloise Hints, and place bowls of white distilled vinegar in the room to neutralize odors.
- 5
  Add drops of pure vanilla extract to cotton balls and set them on dishes in the room. Also, set out dishes of fresh coffee grounds to mask mild paint odors.

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