'How long paint smells after painting a room can vary depending on different factors, such as the type of paint that was used, the ventilation of the room, the size of the room, etc.,' Matt explained.
'But in general, the smell of paint can last anywhere from a few hours up to several days, which is why it is important to take steps to minimize the smell before, during and after painting.'
There are some instances where the smell may last a little longer, however. 'For paints with higher levels of VOCs, the smell can linger for a few weeks,' Jordan said. 'Ensuring proper ventilation and using methods like the above can help speed up the process of reducing these paint smells.'
If you're particularly worried about paint smells hanging around – whether you're planning how to paint doors, or how to paint baseboards – there are some steps you can take to lessen the initial scent. Kerry Sherin, consumer advocate at Ownerly suggested painting one room at a time, as well as sealing all paint pots properly.
'Painting in stages or focusing on one area at a time can help keep the paint smell from getting too strong in the first place. Also, be sure to properly seal and store any unused paint containers.
'Consider shifting the paint to smaller airtight containers to reduce contact between the paint and air – this will reduce the emission of paint fumes and keep the space as odor-free as possible.'