Before you start using a new paint, it is important to know if it smells bad or has any fumes. This is because it will determine where you can paint, as well as knowing if the paint has gone bad. If there are fumes and a bad odor, you are going to want to make sure you have an open space with air circulation to paint in.
Chalk paint is becoming popular quickly, and there is no wonder why. It is water-based, dries quickly, and you can use several different techniques to achieve the look you want. One of the main questions asked about chalk paint is whether it has an odor and if the odor is dangerous.
So, does chalk paint smell bad or have an odor? Chalk paint does not typically have an odor. Since it is water-based, there aren’t many ingredients put in that can make the paint smell. This paint also has very low levels of volatile organic compounds, so you don’t have to worry about fumes or odors that will be dangerous to the health of your family.
Is Chalk Paint Toxic?
When you are decorating and looking for a paint to use, it is important to understand the toxicity and safety of a paint. It is extra important if there are children and pets in your home, since their respiratory systems are smaller and much more sensitive. It is also an important consideration for people with asthma.
If you are planning on painting furniture to keep in your home, the paint is a huge factor. You will want to use paint that is non-toxic and safe. Finding a furniture paint that is non-toxic with low volatile organic compounds can seem impossible, but that’s where chalk paint comes in.
My favorite and top pick is always Rust-Oleum Chalk Paints. They have so many different colors, and the quality is amazing! I usually use Rust-Oleum Paints for all my chalk paint projects.
Volatile organic compounds are those than can turn into vapors or gases that can be dangerous. The release of these compounds is not only bad for the environment, but also for your health. They slowly start to release into the air, meaning you will breathe them in over time.
The good news about chalk paint is that it has incredibly low levels of volatile organic compounds. You don’t have to worry about this paint impacting your family’s health in any way. It is completely safe for use in multiple rooms of your house.
Chalk paint is water-based and completely non-toxic. This means that you can use it in any room, even a baby’s room, and not worry about it causing problems for them.
This paint is so safe that you can even use it to paint the baby’s crib. It is, however, recommended to wait at least 4 weeks and seal it with wax before your baby sleeps in it.
If you are pregnant, it is also safe for you to use chalk paint during your pregnancy. Since the paint is odorless and non-toxic, it also minimizes the risk of becoming nauseous at the smell of it. While it is safe to use chalk paint while pregnant, you should have someone else add the wax sealant for you.
Does Chalk Paint Have Toxic Fumes?
Chalk paint does not have any toxic fumes. It has very minimal amounts of volatile organic compounds with only 0.13%. This means the paint has less than five grams of VOCs per liter of paint, which is close to non-existent.
Due to the lack of volatile organic compounds in the paint, it will not release any fumes that are considered to be toxic. Chalk paint is one of the safest paints to use for baby cribs and other furniture in their bedroom. It is completely safe, and you don’t need to worry about any paint smells bothering young children.
Check out this Chalk Paint Kit that has everything you need to paint furniture, including a baby’s crib.
Since chalk paint is water-based, it doesn’t need any paint thinners or mineral spirits to work properly. If you need to thin the paint at all, you can just add water. This is important because mineral spirits and thinners do have toxic fumes.
Due to the lack of toxic materials needed, chalk paint doesn’t release any toxic fumes at any part of the painting process. This is also true for the drying process. When the chalk paint is drying, it doesn’t release any fumes into the air.
Why Does My Chalk Paint Smell Bad?
Chalk paint doesn’t usually have a smell, so if you do notice a bad smell coming from your paint, it most likely means that the paint has gone bad or has bacteria growing in it. In the case of chalk paint, it is incredibly important that you pour some paint into a separate cup for use.
Chalk paint will usually work best when the paintbrush is dry. If you dip a damp paintbrush into your paint can, the bacteria from the water can get mixed into the paint. This bacteria can grow and turn into mold, which can be damaging to your paint.
Low volatile compact paint is especially vulnerable to bacteria growth. This is because they don’t have any of the added solvents to stabilize the paint and kill bacteria before it has the chance to grow. In some cases, you will be able to see the paint immediately, but in other cases you won’t see it at all.
When your paint has mold, you won’t be able to miss the smell. Paint with mold will smell wet and musty, a lot like mildew. You will be able to smell it as soon as you open the can. In some cases, you might even notice discoloration of the paint and clumps of mold growing together.
I also recommend using the proper paintbrush for your chalk paint. You should always use a Natural Bristle Brush, to ensure the paint adheres to the surface, and to prevent bacteria from growing.
What’s the Shelf Like of Chalk Paint?
All paint has a shelf life, and chalk paint is no exception. So if your paint has a weird or funky smell to it, it’s possible that it has gone bad.
Chalk paint has a shelf life of somewhere between one and five years. The shelf life of the paint will depend on where you keep the paint and how well you take care of it. The better care, the longer the life.
Try to keep the paint out of extreme heat, and extreme cold weather. Some people store their extra paints in their garage, but just be cautious about your paint being exposed to high temperatures, as it can sometimes dry out the paint.
If you notice a strange smell coming from your chalk paint, it is recommended to throw the paint away. It could potentially be mold, which can be invisible in the paint and ultimately impact your painting.
To avoid any damage to your hard work, it is best to replace the paint. This will save you the time and frustration of having to repaint.
Final Thoughts
There are paints out there that will have an awful smell that can be dangerous. Luckily, chalk paint is not one of those paints. Chalk paint doesn’t have any fumes and is extremely low in volatile organic compounds. These compounds are dangerous to your health and the environment, so the paint is completely non-toxic.
Due to the non-toxic nature of the paint, it can be used in every room of your house and can even be used to paint a baby crib. This paint is not even the slightest bit toxic and won’t let out any fumes during the painting or drying process. You can paint inside with proper air circulation.
If you do notice a bad smell coming from your chalk paint, it could be that the paint has gone bad or is growing bacteria. The most common growth in paint is mold, which can negatively impact the quality of your paint and probably should be thrown out.
Make sure to follow all my tips and recommended products to ensure your chalk paint doesn’t go bad, or grow mold in it. Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!
