With most regular paints being associated with potential health problems, there is an increased need for health-focused paints and coatings for walls, floors, kitchen and furniture. Some paints are known to contain ingredients in their formulation such as solvents, petrochemicals, and VOCs, which affect indoor air quality.
The manufacturing of solvent-free and water-based non toxic paint for walls and other interior house applications is not only important for those who are going to use it, but also safe for those producing it. Non-toxic paint for walls are made from natural ingredients such as clay, water, citrus, vegetable oils, milk proteins, chalk, and other essential minerals.
If you’re looking for a non toxic paint for walls, natural paints are, by far, the most suitable choice type of eco-friendly paint for all your interior painting needs. Here are some of the non toxic interior paint options available in the market.
Milk Paint
Milk paint is a non-toxic, eco-friendly and water-based paint made from natural ingredients such as milk protein, clay and lime – and It does not off-gas, making it completely safe paint for the nursery, pregnant womens or anyone asthmatic. Milk paint comes in a powder form so you can use only what you need and it costs less than other types of eco-friendly pains like zero VOC paints. Also, it offers a more distressed look and has plenty of character to define your walls and furniture.
Unlike oil-based paint, milk paint requires more preparation because it first has to be mixed with water, stirred for a while, and then allowed some few minutes to thicken before application. What are the pros and cons of using milk paints?
Water-Based Paints
Water-based paints are health-focused and environmentally friendly paints made no solvents other than water-rich in microscopic pigment and binder plastic particles. This type of paint uses a different kind of material such as polyvinyl acetate, vinyl or acrylic resins that help with the curing process.
This non toxic paint for walls is highly preferred by many homeowners as it dries quickly and has a less irritating and harmful odour. Solvent-based paints are easy to apply and clean, but water-based paints can be applied on trim, skirting boards and window sills, providing a hard-wearing finish that with an easily cleanable surface. Other types of water-based paints for indoor and outdoor applications include:
- Hygienic Water Based Paints Are ideally used in public areas like hospital rooms, children centers and care facilities, leisure homes, and other places that cannot displace people for too long or close down for painting. Made with improved paint technology to ensure low odour and protect the surface against the build-up of mold, bacteria and other germs.
- Water Based Roof Paints Applied on roofs to form a thick anti-corrosive watertight membrane that has excellent antifungal and anti-mold properties.
- Water Based Paints for Metal Some water-based paints are formulated with ingredients that offer superior water and rustproofing protection – and easily optimized to be applied with a roller or brush.
Other types include water-based fire retardant Paints and water-based paints for wood. So whether you’re painting a low VOC paint or a water-based paint, you need to first remove old paint on walls or furniture. However, there are a lot of health risks involved during the sanding process and that’s why it’s recommended that you do it in an open environment, that is for the furniture. Protect yourself with face masks if your sanding walls in a ventilated room
Alternatively, you can use paint strippers which are very effective in removing old paint or varnish from furniture and walls. This product works like acid in that it melts the paint when the chemical inside -methylene chloride, reacts with the ingredient in the old paint, swelling and breaking down the bond between the paint and the surface. If you are looking for non toxic paint for walls, consider the mentioned above options as they prove to be eco-friendly and durable.
