Eco-Friendly Paint Brushes & Decorating Tools
Lick offers good eco-friendly decorating tools. The range includes:
- Vegan brushes with bamboo handles & recycled steel ferrules
- Biodegradable paint trays & kettles
- Biodegradable dust sheets
- Recycled polyester paint rollers
Home Strip is a nontoxic paint remover for most surfaces, also in a version to remove Artex (without turning into a gloopy mess due to polymers from 80s wallpaper).
Decorators often use this to remove asbestos paint, as it does not cause airborne fibres. Just apply and score with a blade, then use a long-handled scraper to lift (apply foil overnight, for best results).
To make your own sugar soap, mix half a cup of baking soda in a bucket of water and apply as a non-soaking scrub. Or buy commercially from Auro.
Keep children and pets well away from sanding, due to dust inhalation and possible release of titanium dioxide. Ideally wear a mask and sand in a well-ventilated area.
Most house paints contain volatile organic compounds (which release gases to cause headaches and illness). No paint can be 100% green, as it needs preservatives (even washing clay causes VOCs). But look for brands that are zero or virtually zero VOC (low VOCs is just greenwash).
Keeping Safe with House Paints
- Paint preservative can be fatal in inhaled (true of all paint), so keep children, pets and pregnant/nursing women out of painted rooms, until dry and aired. Titanium (also found in cosmetics and sunscreen) is also pet-toxic, so keep away from wet walls or use titanium-dioxide-free paints.
- Lime-based paints can help to prevent mould and mildew (good to help prevent crib death (along with other factors) but all good green paints should let walls breathe anyway.
- For older homes buy a lead paint test kit, as this element can harm. It’s best to have professionals remove it, as you need PPE and special methods to avoid dust/fumes.
Where to Donate Unwanted Paint
Give old paint cans to Community Repaint where it’s used up to do up local eyesores or passed on (trade decorators can also get involved). Or enter your postcode at Paintcare to find outlets.
Earthborn Eco Friendly Decorating Tools
This company has its own range of plastic-free decorating tools. Designed to last years, they make use of bamboo (the world’s fastest-growing grass) and recycled/biodegradable products. The range includes a cutting-in brush and a detailing brush for skirting and painting furniture.
Most house paints contain volatile organic compounds (which release gases to cause headaches and illness). No paint can be 100% green, as it needs preservatives (even washing clay causes VOCs). But look for brands that are zero or virtually zero VOC (low VOCs is just greenwash).
