Tips Reference

Healthy Indoor Paints - 506

Posted on 22. Mar, 2009 by Mark Coleman in Around the Home

Indoor air pollution can be a bigger problem for some people than outdoor air pollution. The reason is that many building materials used today give off invisible toxins for years after they’re installed. Paint is one of these materials. It can off gas for several years after it is applied. And it covers all the walls and ceilings of most houses, so it can have a big effect on indoor air quality.

If you are chemically sensitive, you should never use oil based paint in your home. At the very least, use low VOC paints. VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. These are the toxic chemicals which linger and off gas. Low VOC paints are latex based and made with synthetic compounds. They’re widely available in a broad range of colors these days.

But there are also much healthier alternatives than low VOC paints. Thanks to the growing interest in eco-friendly living, it’s becoming easier to find healthier paint alternatives.

For example, there are natural paints available which use plant-based oils and dyes. They’re made with casein, which is a protein found in milk. They come in powdered form, in a wide variety of colors, and must be mixed with water in order to apply them. Natural paints have 2 drawbacks that you’ll need to consider. First, you have to apply the paint within a few hours after mixing, since it can’t be stored. Second, it only comes in a matte finish. So if you want a gloss or semi-gloss finish you would have to apply a sealer

Another eco-friendly choice for paint is a limestone wash. It has a characteristic antique white washed look. This comes from a natural process of calcium in the limestone rising to the surface after drying. It’s main drawback is that it can only be used on porous surfaces like wood and plaster because it has to sink into the surface. You can’t use it on drywall, painted finishes, or surfaces that have already been stained. Also, you have to be careful to wear protective clothing and eyewear while you’re applying it so that it doesn’t get into your eyes or onto your skin. Limestone washes are more durable than a lot of other natural paints so you can use them on outside surfaces like brick or concrete.

Clay paint is another natural choice. You can apply it to almost any surface inside your home. You can even use it to paint drywall, nonporous surfaces, and surfaces that have already been painted. But there are a couple of drawbacks to using clay paint. First, it’s only available in a limited earth tone color palette. So if you want bright orange or acid green, clay paint is not a good choice. Also, it’s not very durable when it comes to withstanding lots of fingerprints or crayon marks. You can’t scrub it clean, but you can touch it up. Last, clay paint is more expensive than typical synthetic paint. But if you like earth tone colors, clay paint is a beautiful choice.