Paint fumes! Any tips to counter them please

[prampusher]

hello, does anyone know any good tips (apart from window opening) to counter paint fumes? I think they are strong (though DH is convinced I'm exaggerating) and I want our DS breathing in as little as poss. We were at my mum's but she just doesn't have the space for us and the painting hasn't finished... ta in advance MNetters

my dad used to cut up an onion, but i think that just makes everything smell paintyoniony

I know what you mean. We have been painting the bathroom which has no window - the fumes seemed to hang about forever. Paint is made 'safe' these days, so I really don't see that it will do any harm (unlike the old days with lead paint)

I left doors open ajar to allow air to circulate through the house and left any extractor fans on in bathroom/kitchen.

extractor fans are a good idea... it does seem to linger doesn't it... particularly stinky gloss. yuck.

my mum used to cut up an onion too but it still stank, just had onion smeel as well. You can get low odour paint now

I have a friend who swears by adding vanilla essence to the paint.....

This is probbly little help now... but you can buy paint that has low VOC (volatiles something something), which basic has no smell, and more importantly no toxic fumes.

For now I think opening the window is the only way to get rid of toxic fumes. Something may take the smell, but the smell is not the problem IYSWIM....

At least the weather is good enough to open all the windows!

Another tip! - Don't use stinky gloss - I use 'satin wood' for the wood work, it is hard wearing, but not glossy (matt) and you can clean the brush with water - so no horrible white spirit and rock hard brushes!
I do a lot of painting at work so used to how to 'get around things'!