Most conventional house paint is very toxic, does not let walls breathe, has terrible fumes and continues to off-gas into rooms after you use it. Also many paint brands are tested on animals and contain animal ingredients, from milk to casein to shella and ox gall. Know there is a lot of greenwash around in the natural paint industry. You want to look for zero VOCs (organic volatile compounds). ‘Low VOCs does not really mean much.
The Organic Natural Paint Company recommends (and sells) Graphenstone as the best brand natural house paint. It’s zero VOC , resistant to cracking/peeling and easy to apply in an array of 96 colours (it’s also vegan). This site has a good overview of what paints to use where (and you can also buy nontoxic wood stains & varnishes).
Keep all paints, varnishes and painting tools away from children and pets, and still air rooms after painting, even ‘non-toxic paints’.
Choose Eco-Friendly Painting Tools
Use with Lick paint brushes (and paint roller sets) that are made with bamboo handles and recycled aluminium ferrules. This company also makes compostable paint kettles and eco dust sheets.
Low-Carbon Clay Plasters from Cornwall
Clayworks (Cornwall) is a company that makes low-carbon clay plasters (with natural pigments and minerals) to plaster and colour walls in one. Founded by two experts who wrote books on cob building and natural plasters, find 88 ready-to-mix-with water colours sold in compostable bags. All allow buildings to breathe and regular temperature, don’t use in wet or shower areas nor on doors that may be moved (read product safety info).
Linseed Paints for Wood Doors and Windows
A good choice to feed wood for doors and window frames is Linseed paint (note linseed oil is highly flammable, so don’t use near heat and store brushes in water, and dispose of responsibly).
Also for wood, Lifetime Wood Treatment (also sold in UK) is a nontoxic alternative to creosote.
