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Whether you’re just refreshing the wall in one room or doing a complete home renovation, you want the best zero-VOC eco-friendly paint that looks great while protecting your health.
Paint has come a long way since its lead-based and toxic early days…but can eco-friendly paint brands really offer the same coverage and vivid color as mainstream paint brands?
From the volatile organic compounds in traditional paints to homemade natural paint, later in this article, I’ll cover what you should look out for when shopping for no-VOC paints.
But first - the prep has been done, and the walls are filled and smooth as silk, so it’s time to crack out the coveralls, grab a brush and get straight into the list.
Range: Paints, Primers, Stains & Varnish, Lullaby, Specialty Products
They Say: For 35 years, we’ve helped our customers create healthier living environments with our premium quality, eco-friendly paints, stains, and varnishes. We’re happy to let you know what’s in every can so you can feel good about bringing ECOS into your home.
We Say: Transparency is at the core of ECOS. That's why it’s been my paint brand of choice for many years, and why I have selected it as my top Zero-VOC paint in this review.
If it's good enough for the Louvre, Westminster Abbey, and the Getty Museum…then it’s good enough for me. And this truly is a brand that has never let me or my family down.
Every paint they make is non-toxic, has no-VOC content, and comes with a complete list of ingredients.
Their extensive range of zero VOC paints covers both indoor and outdoor applications and a vast array of colors.
Not quite sure which color to go for? You can order up to eight free color cards to help you decide.
My most recent experience with ECOS Paints was when I helped repaint my nephew's bedroom.
We used ECOS Paints Lullaby. Excellent even coverage, non-toxic ingredients, and increased durability. Very impressive!
ECOS has been around for over 35 years. They manufacture their products in Spartanburg, South Carolina. A true American brand you can trust!
Free shipping is available on all U.S. orders over $100.
Range: Color Samples, Exterior Paints, Exterior Stains, Fan Decks, Interior Paints, Painting Tools, Paint Primers
They Say: Eco Spec® is our “greenest” interior premium paint. With zero VOCs and zero emissions, Eco Spec® is the perfect choice when an environmentally responsible paint is required and is tinted with Benjamin Moore's proprietary Gennex® zero VOC colorant system.
We Say: Benjamin Moore is another brand I’ve used for sustainable paints in the past.
I prefer ECOS Paint, but Benjamin Moore zero VOC paint is a decent alternative if, for example, ECOS Paint doesn’t have the exact color you need.
If you live close to a Benjamin Moore store, you can order online and then collect in as little as three hours. Handy!
Their Eco Spec paint (available in the full range of Benjamin Moore colors) is the standout eco-friendly option.
It’s Green Seal certified and CERTIFIED asthma & allergy-friendly.
✔ Non-Toxic
✔ Zero-VOC
✔ Carbon Offset Delivery
They Say: Sweet Pickins Milk Paint is a true milk paint which comes in a powder form. Our Milk Paint is environmentally safe, non-toxic and is food safe. There is a slight milky odor when it is applied, but it is completely odorless when dry. Our milk paint is 100% VOC free and is made with all natural earth materials.
We Say: There was only one place to turn when I decided that I also wanted to test out some of the smaller eco-friendly paint brands.
With its ever-expanding army of artisan producers and eco-friendly products, Etsy is often a treasure trove of sustainable products.
Sweet Pickins Milk Paint was the one I chose to test for the following reasons:
I was not disappointed. It was easy to mix, nice to paint with (good coverage with minimal splatter), and the slight milky smell went away once the paint dried.
If Sweet Pickins Milk Paint is not to your liking, simply click here and browse over 8,000 alternative options.
✔ Zero-VOC
✔ GREENGUARD Certified
✔ Value for Money
We Say: Lastly, a quick shoutout to BEHR Premium Plus.
I always have a tin of this interior paint in the garage.
It’s excellent value for money and the only paint I trust for high-traffic areas, such as baseboards and door frames.
It’s also GREENGUARD certified, so you can rest assured that the Zero VOC claim is fully legit.
Zero-VOC paint is a popular option for those looking for eco-friendly and non-toxic home products. However, whether or not it's better than other paints depends on various factors.
In conclusion, choosing paints that are low or Zero-VOC can be a great choice for people who want to reduce their exposure to harmful toxic chemicals and protect the environment. However, they may not always be the best option for everyone, depending on their budget, color preferences, and desired level of coverage.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, “Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a large group of chemicals that are found in many products we use to build and maintain our homes. Once these chemicals are in our homes, they are released or “off-gas” into the indoor air we breathe”.
Common VOCs to look out for, and try to avoid, include:
Toxic interior paints are a significant contributor to poor indoor air quality. They can continue to emit toxic air contaminants even after the new paint smell has disappeared.
Eco-friendly paints have low levels of VOC. Some are even 100% VOC free.
The term ‘sheen’ refers to the level of glossiness. Most paint manufacturers offer the following sheens (from least glossy to glossiest).
It is important to be aware that low-VOC paint typically has a shorter drying time than traditional paint.
VOCs slow down the drying process of traditional paints since they require time to evaporate from the paint film. In contrast, low VOC paints use water-based solvents that evaporate more quickly, resulting in a shorter drying time.
The shorter drying time of low-VOC paint can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.
On one hand, it allows painters to apply additional coats sooner and complete the painting project faster. On the other hand, the faster drying time can make it difficult to achieve a smooth finish without visible brush or roller marks.
To ensure your paint is low-VOC, the main certifications to look out for are:
This said, if a paint brand had no certifications, it doesn’t automatically mean it’s toxic and should be avoided.
Maintaining a certified status can be too expensive, especially for small eco-friendly businesses.
Treat certification as a guide, but don’t make it your only selection criteria.
No…don’t…you’re better than that…I mean paint stipping! 😉
The EPA estimates that when stripping old paint from internal walls, the VOC levels in your home can skyrocket to over 1,000 times that of outside.
Always wear a respirator and open doors/windows to allow paint fumes to escape.
Also don't forget to cover over your flooring, carpets, or rugs. Use an old sheet or curtain to catch any spills.
Making your own non-toxic paint at home is easier than you might think. You'll know that this is no-VOC paint because you made it yourself and know exactly what went into it.
And that’s it…congratulations…you’ve made your own 100% VOC-free paints.
This mix will spoil within a few hours, so get it on the walls ASAP.
Also, don’t worry about the sour paint smell. That’ll go once the paint has dried. PROMISE!
Milk paint is generally considered to be eco-friendly. However, it’s not the right option if you're vegan. Also, on cow’s milk, other environmental consequences need to be considered, as reported by the WWF.
House plants are one of my favorite ways to improve indoor air quality. Buying non-toxic paints, furnishings, rugs and other organic household products that contain fewer VOCs is another.
Etsy has an extensive range of environmentally friendly paint for artists. The range includes several acrylic paints, oil-based paint, latex paint, mineral paint, and chalk paint for furniture, cabinets and crafts.
There is no microplastic in acrylic paint when it’s wet. However, microplastic can form during the lifecycle of acrylic paint, especially if it's left in a tin/tube for a long time.
I got my love of DIY from my dad. He was always very handy around the house when I was growing up. There was nothing he couldn’t turn his hand to.
Back in his day, the most durable, long-lasting paints used harsh chemicals to achieve superior binding and damage resistance.
Thankfully, things have moved on quickly, and non-toxic, eco-friendly paints are now easily accessible.
The lower the VOCs, the better, but don’t just look at VOCs.
Consider other things in conventional paints such as toxic metals, planet-damaging solvents, and carcinogenic additives (biocides, surfactants, defoamers).
Where do you buy your non-toxic paint? Have I missed your favorite low VOC paint brand? Have you ever used old-fashioned milk paint, or made your own? Drop me a line and let me know.
Our core values mean we always prioritize sustainability over profit. We carefully evaluate and personally test every product to ensure they meet our high standards. All products recommended in this article were tested in accordance with our Review Methodology.
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