Reasons to Switch to Natural House Paint
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 some VOCs). But look for brands that are zero or virtually zero VOC (low VOCs is just greenwash).
Most paints contain preservatives that are fatal if inhaled (true of all paint, and preservative is needed, to stop it going off).
Keep children, pets (and pregnant women) out of painted rooms until dry and aired.
Many paints contain pet-toxic titanium dioxide (also in cosmetics and sunscreen) so keep away from wet walls, or use titanium-dioxide-free paints (this post is a few years old).
Original paints were made with ingredients like clay, charcoal and indigo plants, but modern paints have replaced dangerous lead with chemicals.
Lime-based paints can also 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.
If you have an older home, buy a lead painting testing kit, as it can be harmful to pets, children and pregnant/nursing women. It’s best to have a professional remove it, as you need PPE and methods to avoid creating dust/fumes. This post has good info.
Cradle-to-Cradle Green Paint (96 colours)
Graphenstone is a cradle-to-cradle-certified vegan paint (not tested on animals) with a free colour chart (white and 96 colours), all based on lime, and as affordable as other main brands.
The range includes:
- Matt and eggshell paints
- Air-purifying paint
- Nursery-friendly paints
- Heritage paints for listed homes
- Wood varnish
- Trade paints for decorators
Eco-Friendly Prep & 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 (or apply foil overnight and leave, 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 just buy it 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.
Paint in Easy-to-Recycle Pouches (66 colours)
YesColours are something different. Made with water from the Lake District, these are sold in easy-to-recycle pouches, that are easy to open and close, protect against moisture, mould and dust. And the packaging means you only squeeze out what you need, to avoid waste.
The clear circle window lets you check each colour, before opening. This company offers 66 colours as swatch cards (with real paint) instead of wasteful pots.
Creamy Claypaint in Tins (72 colours)
Earthborn Claypaint is in 72 shades. This thick creamy paint has a matte finish and is good in lime plasters, and requires less coats than traditional emulsion.
It’s breathable so good in older homes that may have had damp problems, and it won’t trap moisture (which can cause bubbling and peeling).
Odourless Lakeland Green Paints
Lakeland Paints are odourless and sold in a wide range of colours. This offers paints for walls, wood, metal, floors and masonry.
Plus there are specialist paints like air-purifying paint, claypaint and MDF-passifying primers, fire-retardant paints (for combustible materials) and paints for people with asthma.
Pretty Eco Paints (for indoors & outdoors)
Little Knights offers paints for indoors and outdoors (including radiator paints, external metal and masonry paint). These paints are pigment-rich for exceptional tones on walls.
Where to Recycle Unwanted Paint
You can donate it 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 out where to recycle.
Swedish Linseed Oil Paint (for feeding wood)
Linseed oil paint is popular in Sweden, and used to paint wooden doors and window frames and even windmill sails! It feed the wood to last for years, and sold in many colours.
Linseed oil is so flammable that it could spontaneously combust. So always steep brushes in water when done, and keep away from heat.
A Nontoxic Alternative to Creosote
Lifetime Wood Treatment (also sold in UK) is a nontoxic alternative to creosote. Ideal for decks, fences, furniture, windows and doors. Made from natural plants and minerals, this is not a varnish but causes wood to develop different shades over time, depending on the wood to which it is applied. Made to a 60 year old recipe, it’s sold in powder form, just mix with water and apply.
Creosote is harmful to children, pets, wildlife and plants. It’s a by-product of incomplete combustion, so is also flammable, and linked to chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Creosote is also harmful to aquatic life, once it rinses down drains and goes into our rivers and seas.
It’s now classed as hazardous waste. So ask your local council how to dispose of its safely, as you can’t just put wood treated with it in recycling bins, or drop it off at household recycling centres.
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.
Traditional wallpaper is made from paper and vinyl (for moisture resistance but it contains non-biodegradable chemicals that off-gas over time). Far easier an option is the new self-adhesive wallpapers that are free from PVC, and use water-based technology so you can just peel and stick them on, then replace when you want a change.
Belle Impressions offers self-adhesive wallpapers that are easy to use and free from PVC. These wallpapers use a water-based chemical-free printing technology for colour consistency and scratch resistance, and are free from solvent inks. These are really creative, like this one of starry nights from Vincent Van Gogh!
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.
