1. PLACE BUCKETS OF WATER IN THE CORNERS OF YOUR ROOM
When it comes to how to paint a room, we all know that any windows in the room should be open to improve ventilation and aid the drying time. While it will help somewhat with that intense paint odor, an open window isn't going to be enough to remove those smells completely.
2. USE A FAN (OR AIR PURIFIER)
This one's pretty obvious, but it's something many of us overlook. To help eliminate paint odors and help your walls dry, it's a good idea to use an electric fan if you have one. 'This is because increasing circulation is a key factor for removing that paint smell,' says Michael. 'Make sure that the fan is facing the window so that it guides odor in the right direction. It needs to be a big fan, as small handheld ones won’t have much impact.'
3. PUT BOWLS OF BAKING SODA AROUND THE ROOM
Baking soda is something of a wonder ingredient. It's not only going to help your cakes rise big and fluffy but it's great at absorbing moisture too, making it a great hack for removing lingering paint smells.
4. OR, USE COFFEE GROUNDS
If you don't have any baking soda to hand, coffee grounds also work in the same way. As Michael notes: 'Coffee grounds are regularly left over and wasted so put them to use by absorbing paint vapors.'
'Like baking soda and water, put the coffee grounds in bowls and place them around the room,' he adds. 'You can fill these bowls to the top depending on how much coffee grounds you have; if not, spread it evenly between three or four bowls.' For best results, leave the bowls overnight. When you wake up the next morning, the room should smell a lot fresher.
5. ADD VANILLA EXTRACT TO YOUR PAINT
Another old trick that's still used to this day is using a drop of vanilla extract. 'In the olden days when paint was mostly oil, a common trick people used was to mix a drop of vanilla extract in with the paint to improve the smell,' says Tila Lee of Pretty in Paint School.
6. PLACE SOME AIR PURIFYING BAGS AROUND YOUR SPACE
Last but not least, charcoal is another type of natural deodorizer that can be purchased inside odor absorber bags. These nifty little air purifiers make the smell of paint clear more quickly thanks to the absorbent properties of active charcoal. To use them, simply hang a couple around your room overnight and that overwhelming stench of paint will have lessened or disappeared entirely by the morning.