Where to Buy Eco-Friendly Wallpaper
Like paint, you can’t have 100% natural wallpaper. But there are better options. To apply wallpapers, use non-toxic wallpaper paste from Earthborn or Auro.
Most wallpaper is made from paper and vinyl (for moisture resistance but contains chemicals that off-gas). Far easier are self-adhesive PVC-free wallpapers that use water-based technology. Just peel and stick them on, then replace when you want a change.
Made of Sundays is a Finnish company that offers plastic-free wallpaper, sold on Etsy in a wide range of colours and designs. With fast shipping and a happiness guarantee, this wallpaper uses thick peel-and-stick non-woven paper, so is as easy to use, as it is kind to the planet
A portion of sales are also donated to organisations that are planting yet more trees in Finland which due to high forestry, has the cleanest air in the world.
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.
You can’t recycle toxic wallpaper with waste, you just have to throw it out.
