How to Get Rid of New Paint / VOC Smell
Fresh paint emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can cause headaches, nausea, and respiratory irritation. Infants, pregnant women, and people with respiratory conditions should avoid freshly painted rooms until off-gassing is complete.
What You'll Need
- 3-4
- Several bowls
- 1-2 bags
- 2-3
- 1-2
Step-by-Step Method
Open all windows in the painted room and adjacent rooms. Set up cross-ventilation with fans: one blowing in, one blowing out. Run continuously for 48-72 hours if possible.
Set bowls of white vinegar, baking soda, and cut onion halves around the room. All three absorb volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paint fumes. Activated charcoal bags are the most effective option.
Most latex paints off-gas 90% of VOCs within 48-72 hours of application. Oil-based paints take 2-4 weeks. Keep the room well-ventilated throughout this period.
- Do not sleep in a freshly painted room for at least 24-48 hours
- Do not seal the room (traps VOCs at higher concentrations)
- Do not use scented candles to mask paint smell (adds combustion byproducts to already poor air quality)
- Choose low-VOC or zero-VOC paint for future projects. These formulations off-gas significantly less and are odor-free within hours.
- Paint in spring or fall when you can keep windows open comfortably for extended periods.
- An air purifier with an activated carbon filter speeds up VOC removal significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Latex paint: most odor gone within 48-72 hours with good ventilation. Full off-gassing takes 2-4 weeks. Oil-based paint: initial strong odor lasts 1-2 weeks, full off-gassing can take 3-6 months. Low-VOC and zero-VOC paints off-gas within hours to days.
Sources & Methodology
VOC off-gassing timelines from EPA Indoor Air Quality guidelines. Low-VOC paint standards defined by Green Seal GS-11.
Last reviewed: March 20, 2026