How Do You Get Rid Of The Smell Of Paint?

Question

Hi, I'm expecting a baby in March next year & to save money on a new nursery/bedroom range I decided to use my old bedroom suite which was black ash (yes very 80's I know) & paint it white as the walls are a pastel green. I got some special Melamine/MDF paint from B&Q & slapped on a few coats.
It looks great & I had fun hanging up the ickle clothes I'd bought so far on their hangers but I cannot get rid of the smell of the paint & the clothes are smelling of it too now.
I'd left the doors & everything open for about 2/3wks before hanging anything in the hope the smell would have gone/faded except it hasn't & I've even tried stick on air freshners inside but it's not working. Anybody got any ideas on getting rid of the paint smell?

Sorry I may have confused some people - it's not the walls, the smells coming from the white paint that I put on the furniture suite. I'll try the onions & the clear varnish, see if it works. thanks

Answer 1

Chop an onion in half and put half inside the wardrobe and the other half in the room - sounds crazy but it works!!

Answer 2

Take on board all the onion answers BUT is there carpet or wooden flooring? The fumes may have been absorbed by the carpet so maybe take it out and replace it also continue to leave door and windows open as much as possible I wonder was this paint ever meant to be on an interior wall at all? Some paints are for specific areas, put it this way for the first 3-4 months you will probably have your baby in your own room anyway so that will give the smell more time to go. Best of luck with the pregnancy!

Answer 3

The paint may have been going bad. Try using some clear sealer over the furniture. Enough people are swearing by the onion that it can't hurt to try that for the room; open boxes of baking soda would probably help absorb the odor, too. The smell should come out of the clothes when you wash them.
Good luck and congratulations!

Answer 4

Open all doors and windows and let the fresh air come in. Spray some lavender airspray and wait for the paint smell to go away.

Answer 5

Cut two onions in half and put them in the room They will absorb the smell. Also, get a bag of charcoal. Open the bag and let it sit in the room. It also will absorb the paint odor.

Answer 6

I write daily homeowner tips for national radio. One successful way to temper (or over-ride) paint smell is to add a teaspoon of vanilla extract (or more) per gallon of paint. There are also companies that sell packets of "scent additives" for paint: floral, tropical, evergreen, etc. They are subtle, tend to work well and are long-lasting. Check with your local paint retailer or on the internet. As for onions: may work...first I hear of it.

Answer 7

you could try cutting up some onions, yes ok sounds strange, but that's what a pub did once, or try one of those burners, you put a t light candle in the bottom, then water in the top with a few drops of oil just choose a smell you like,

Answer 8

Chop up a few onions & a few cloves of garlic leave them in a bowl of water overnight, this will absorb the smell.

Answer 9

Cut some large onions in half and place them 'cut' side up while you are painting and after, i don't know how it works but it does! (and dont forget to open the windows for good ventilation)

Answer 10

I thought paint had to be lead free and low odour nowa days.. if your paint smells strong, i would check to see if it is lead free and low odour, if not, i am sure Health and Safety rules have been broken by the seller of the product if so contact your local environmental health depot and report them..