Question from Claudia
I found this website while searching how to remove the smell of lacquer paint from our home. We had our kitchen cabinets recently painted, and I never thought to ask what they would use. The smell was so horrible we had to stay in a hotel for the weekend. When I came back home, there was a layer of colored dust on the floors and counters. I moped it all up and cleaned as good as I could – only to have a sore throat in the morning and a stomach ache. I have 3 kids that sleep upstairs and I’m worried the smell will hard us. I have aired out the house continuously, used air purifiers, placed out activated charcoal….but I’m still worried because the smell is strong. It was a lacquer oil based paint and I regret it all now. My question is, if I try heating the house to 90 degrees, will it still be benifical to do it for say 3 hours a day and then air it out, repeatedly? I only have a few hours a day I can do it during the week with kids naps and school schedules. I appreciate your advice and time. Thank you so much.
Lisa’s Answer
Lisa is right that you need to seal these as soon as possible. While you are waiting for the sealer, I’d get someone to take off the cabinet doors and get them out of there. Seal them outside in the garage, if possible, and do not bring them back in until they are safe. Many of my neighbors are doing this same project. My neighbor said her house smelled terrible of chemicals. I proceeded to get sick standing at least 7 feet away from her. I told her how dangerous this is. People look at me like I’m crazy, but I still try to politely advise. Win some, lose some.