Buying Environmentally-Friendly Paints

All of us are, or should be, looking for products that will not harm the environment. Many of the products that we buy are harsh for the environment, but they may also be bad for out health too. Home improvements are done all of the time too. There are new ways to save the environment that way also. Painting can be fun and is a great way to liven up your home. There are some paints that are toxic for the environment, but now there are new low VOC paints. VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds.

Instead of regular paint, you can now actually purchase paints that are made of ingredients that are harmless to the environment. There are many types that include natural paints, milk paints, whitewashes, recycled paints, and then your regular house paints. Natural paints are made from plants, milk, and clay. They are great because they do not contain preservatives. There is only one problem with them. You will want to paint an area that is dry because they are not as resistant to mildew or mold. Milk paints are made using both milk, and lime. They come in a powder form, and you will have to mix them with water yourself. They will also go bad if they are not used quickly once they are mixed with water. Whitewashes are still available and they are made of lime, water, and salt. They are great because they are low cost, but they are only good for plaster, cement, or stucco. Another downfall is that they are only white as indicated by the name "white" washes. You can also use recycled paints, which are made out of a combination of paints. They are mixed together to make one paint, but this too has a downfall. The color will not be consistent throughout the area painted.

Overall there are many low VOC paints, but most have downfalls through them. They are better for the environment, but you should always check into them. It is important to use products that have low VOCs because they "can react with nitrous oxide in the atmosphere to form smog" according to the National Geographic Society. Take all of this information in and weigh the pros and cons before buying paint. You should try to buy paints that have a low VOC rating. You will lessen the impact you make on the environment. It is best to use all paints in a well ventilated area. You should also check to make sure that your walls were not painted previously with lead paint! This is just a little information to help you be greener.

National Geographic Society, "Paint Buying Guide". The Green Guide