Why use green paint?

We have all opened a can of conventional latex paint and noticed the nasty smell. This smell comes from Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). You will notice that most cans of paint come with a warning label saying, “Use  in a well-ventilated area.” This warning serves as a reminder that these chemicals that we tolerate are, in fact, dangerous and harmful to our health. There are safer, more environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional paints.  More Green Paint uses only paints that are low in or free of VOCs. 

You can use the first alternative, milk-based paint, in your bedroom and sleep in the room the same night. Because milk-based paint contains no VOCs, there are no dangerous fumes. More Green Paint  uses products  from the Old-Fashioned Milk Paint Company (www.milkpaint.com). A small, Massachusetts-based company, the Old-Fashioned Milk Paint Company has been making environmentally-friendly paint for over 30 years.  Recently, they came out with a new line of paint called “SafePaint.” This new milk paint can go over an already-painted surface, unlike traditional milk paint, which is best on raw wood. SafePaint simply requires sanding and thorough surface  preparation. It needs no primer and cleans up easily. Easy application helps reduce labor costs. The paint dries quickly, too, so a second coat can be applied within hours. Once it cures - in about a week - the paint is very durable. In fact, 3,000-year-old milk-based paint was found in King Tut’s tomb. SafePaint has no gloss - it is a matte paint.  A glossy finish can be added by applying a layer of sealant, such as a beeswax sealant.  

Another alternative is the two lines of green paint made by Benjamin Moore (www.benjaminmoore.com). They offer two lines of low-VOC paints. The first is Eco Spec, which is the less-costly option.  It applies as easily as conventional paints. This is a great option for environmentally-friendly paint, but it is not available in a full range of Benjamin Moore’s colors. Eco Spec is offered in a lovely range of lighter colors. However, if it is a brighter or more vibrant color that you want , Benjamin Moore also offers a new line, Aura Waterborne Interior Paints, which requires a little more labor to properly apply.