When Is It Safe to Sleep in a Room After Painting?

So, you have decided to paint one or more of the bedrooms in your home. You’re curious as to how long to wait before you can sleep in a freshly painted room. In this post, we are going to review all the variables and timelines that are important to remember after painting a room. Also, when it is the safest to sleep in a room after the paint has dried.

Depends on the Type of Paint

There are two different types of paint used for interiors: oil based and water based. There are also paints that have zero to low VOC (volatile organic compounds). A water-based paint with low VOC’s are going to be the quickest to dry with the least fumes. Oil-based paints take longer to dry and will need to have more time between dry time and sleeping in the room. Your Certa Pro team will let you know which paint is best for your bedroom and the precautions to take.

How Long to Wait

Typically, with water-based paints with low VOC’s you need to wait at least 4-6 hours after the paint has dried. These types of paint emit the lease number of fumes and smell. These paints dry the quickest and in a well ventilated you can sleep in the room the same day the job is complete. Even though some smell may linger, very few toxic fumes will remain.

For oil-based paints, they take considerably longer to dry – at least 24 hours. Sometimes it’s recommended with these paints to wait at least a week before sleeping inside the room. This is due to the longer curing time and higher VOCs that need to evaporate.

Open Windows & Use Air Purifier

            To help the drying and curing time use an air purifier or open the windows in the room. This will help the paint dry and remove any fumes or smells faster. It’s also a good idea to have any fans running inside the room. Air purifiers will filter out any remaining toxins and make sure to change the filter after the paint has dried.

Special Considerations for Children, Pets & Elderly

            If the bedroom is for children or elderly occupants – you may want to wait a longer period of time before moving back in. Even with low to zero VOC water-based paint, it’s recommended to wait 48-72 hours before moving these special residents back into their room. While all paints used for interiors are safe, the extended wait time is to make sure the paint is completely dry. For anyone with sensitivities, it’s better to wait longer before moving back into their room. This also goes for our furry friends. Pets have a higher sensitivity to smells and fumes so it’s best to keep them away for the same amount of time.

Certa Pro of South Denver will advise you to which paint is best for your home and living situation. This will ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible. Our professionals will give you more instruction on exactly how long to wait depending on the room and paint. No worries, all interior paints are under stringent EPA regulations and are safe for use. You’ll just need to wait the appropriate time before you can move back in and enjoy your new room!

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If you have any questions about this post or want to schedule a free estimate or paint consultation please call 303-346-9151