Let’s face it, even if we don’t actually know what goes in to the paint which we splash all over our home, on our bedroom walls, on our children’s bedroom walls, we all have a sneaky suspicion that it probably isn’t good for us. Well what if I told you that the vast majority of these every day interior paints are packed full of toxic nasties called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s for short). VOC’s are solvents used in the paint (to do jobs like thinning and adhesion) and can cause symptoms including headaches and dizziness (not great for asthma and allergy sufferers) and it is suspected that some are also carcinogens. It is thought that VOC’s don’t only affect our health during application and drying but also for years afterwards when it is subject to environmental factors such as heat and light.
Many of us are becoming more and more aware that the products in our home could be contributing to current or future health issues, for instance the toxic glue holding together our new sofa or memory foam mattress. When our homes are supposed to be our haven, why are we filling them with so many things that can harm us?
I hear you thinking, here we go again, not another thing that’s going to kill us all off! Not another thing I have to worry about! I can’t afford the alternatives! I don’t know where to start!
Fear not, big steps have now been made in developing more health conscious paints (and Eco Friendly paints but that’s a whole other blog post!!) which contain substantially lower VOC’s so you can continue to splash on your favourite colours and sleep soundly at night.
Here are some of the best available on the market…
These guys take healthy eco paints seriously, so much so that even Harry & Meghan decided to choose it for little Archie’s nursery due to its credentials - well if its good enough for them! Made from plant extracts, natural minerals and earth pigments, it excludes any plastics, is compostable and many are suitable for allergy sufferers. Surely a great contender when selecting paint for your precious new additions nursery or when redecorating your child’s bedroom.
Leaders in developing Eco & breathable paints, this company prides themselves in being awarded the first UK licence of the EU Ecolabel for Indoor Paints and Varnishes. The coverage is excellent with a rich thick paint and chalky matt finish.
Winner of 4 major Eco awards, these paints claim not only to be VOC free, non-toxic, odorless, organic and natural but also come in 100% recyclable packaging.
One of my favourite paints to use for quality and coverage. Their water based paints offer the industry’s lowest eco-rating with virtually zero VOC’s and their best selling bases safe to use in children’s rooms. As with other higher end paints you pay a premium however a lot goes a long long way.
A leader in developing Eco and Bio paints with their ‘Ecosphere Premium’ range at the forefront of their technology. Make from natural lime minerals, it is not only durable but breathable making it great for old houses prone to damp, plus it also absorbs CO2. With 72 colours available the colour range is pretty good too.
With sustainability and health in the forefront of our minds, low VOC paints are now becoming the norm. The choice of finishes and colours are vast and so apart from bad planning there really is no reason not to check your paints ingredients and credentials before you buy.