Photo: williamhartz / Flickr

Many of us are now aware of the harmful toxins and chemicals that permeate the products we use to clean and decorate our homes, as well as our personal care products and the food we eat. And more and more people are demanding ‘green’ products that are not only better for our health but also environmentally friendly. There are now paints available which are eco-friendly and will allow you to make your home pretty without poisoning yourself, your loved ones or the planet.

What Bob the builder didn’t tell you

When deciding on an eco-friendly paint, pay attention to the levels of volatile organic compounds. These are also known as VOCs. Before painting a room, you will often be warned to ensure that it is well ventilated and to wait a few hours before entering safely because of the fumes. Those fumes are made up of VOCs which can lead to a range of respiratory ailments, skin allergies, dizziness, nervous system disorders and headaches.

Unlike conventional paints, eco-friendly paints have very low levels of VOCs. Zero VOC paints contain less than 5g per litre while low VOC paints have less than 200g per litre.

Choosing eco-friendly paint 101

When choosing zero VOC paints, look for natural paints that are water-, soya-, plant-, milk-, mineral- or clay-based. When it comes to low VOC paints, you must make sure that they are not petroleum-based and that they do not contain any formaldehyde or ethylene glycol.

In addition, labels should read that the paint is biodegradable, acetone-free, ammonia-free and phosphate-free. Eco-friendly paints might be more expensive than conventional paints but they do not require as many applications because of their relatively rich pigmentation.

Once you have identified the right type of eco-friendly paint, decide what room you will be painting. If it is a bathroom or a kitchen, there are ‘green’ water-resistant paints. Soya- and mineral resin-based paints a great for indoor jobs. Milk-based paints are more suitable for wood surfaces. There are many natural alternatives to the conventional paint palettes.

A convenient aspect of eco-friendly paints is that you do not need to leave your home while it is being painted as there aren’t any harmful fumes. Also because these products are eco-friendly, you do not need to dispose of the containers in any special way. You can use the appropriate recycle bins.

Tags: environmentally friendly, paint, painting