Safety for Sleeping in a Newly Painted Room

When the painters clear out of your home, you’re eager to put everything back in it and get to sleep. Treating yourself to a fresh coating in your bedroom can give you a new feeling in the room. Using appropriate colors can even enhance your calmness and rest. But with lingering smells, when is it safe to sleep in the room? Can the fumes harm you? For how long?

The fumes from paint can linger for quite some time even after the last gallon of paint has been sealed. These smells can cause headaches, dizziness, breathing problems and other health issues. Ultimately the cause of these negative effects are the result of breathing in VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds in the paint.

Rooms that had paint applied can play host to these smells for quite some time after the work is done. This is particularly important for young children, babies and pregnant women to avoid. These fumes can cause problems in development. Those with breathing issues and the elderly should also take care when exposing themselves to VOCs.

Painters suggest taking precautionary measures when sleeping in a newly painted room as follows.

Zero VOCs

Opting for Zero VOC paints keeps a majority of the smells from being present in your home. These products are safer for your family, though not entirely smell free. Even so, when using Zero VOC paint, you can safely sleep in your room the same day it is painted. You will still notice odors for 24 hours or so after you’re finished with painting. The smells won’t contain the chemicals you should be wary of.

Low VOCs

Latex paints offer Low VOC option of some paint lines. While you will want to wait a bit before going to sleep in these smells, a day or so will allow the room to air out to a safe level. For healthy adults, sleeping in the fumes can cause headaches or a slight cough but there are no lingering effects.

Natural Paints

If you want to maintain a green home, you have options for natural paint wall coatings. Manufacturers create colors from things like casein, chalk, citrus oil and linseed oil. These are safer wall coverings than traditional paint but they will cost you a significant amount of money. Many homeowners find that these paint options don’t last quite as long as more traditional options.

Ventilate

With any indoor painting project, you should plan to ventilate the area for some time during and after the painting. Open a couple of windows and use fans to create a cross breeze for several hours after the work is done. This will whisk away the smells and allow you to safely sleep in your newly painted room.

Be safe after a painting project with this information from our expert painters. You can feel safe allowing you and your family to sleep comfortably after a paint job. If you are unsure about the safety of painting, contact us now. Our crews are here to assist with any upcoming painting projects you might be planning. Schedule a free, no obligation estimate with our team today.

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