A Guide to Non-Toxic Paints -According to LiLu

A Guide to Non-Toxic Paints

Why a guide to non-toxic paints? We want you to avoid indoor air pollution. The definition of “pollutants” is often confined to those found outside: in the air, the ground, or in waterways. However, indoor air quality is just as important to our health and everyday lives, and the pollutants found indoors are just as much - if not more – of a concern. Quality indoor air to breathe is critical for good health. Lately, we’ve all been spending extra time indoors, where indoor pollutants can cause headaches, eye irritation, allergies, and fatigue if not properly addressed.
VOC is a common indoor air pollutant- it stands for volatile organic compound – and can be any of several chemical additives that are found in numerous consumer products, including paint. These compounds being “volatile” means that they vaporize and emit gasses, even a long time after they’ve dried. Paint emits only half of its VOCs in the first year. Not only is VOC bad for our health, but it’s also bad for our planet, too.
As indoor air quality has become more important than ever, with the COVID-19 pandemic, the California wildfires, and our increase in time spent in our homes, we’ve compiled this helpful guide to non-toxic paints to help you chose paints that are VOC free or low and durable.
Find out more about indoor air-quality in our post Why Wellness at Home Matters.

The Simplicity of Clare

First in our guide to non-toxic paints is Clare. This is an easy, online paint shop that carries all VOC free paints. Their paints are also self-priming and apply evenly with a durable finish that resists dirt, grime, and mildew.

Air Purifying Ecos

Ecos Paints’ Air Purifying Paint is a VOC free paint that is designed to remove VOC particles from your air by eliminating them the moment they contact the painted surface. So, Air Purifying Paint not only prevents your air from being polluted – it aids in the purifying of your air. This paint is a protective finish that dries to a hard, durable film, and it’s ideal for exterior walls, furniture, trim, and all interior rooms including kitchens and bathrooms.

Greenguard Gold from Sherwin Williams

UL Greenguard Gold/CDPH Certified Products by Sherwin-Williams are the next feature in our guide to non-toxic paints. Sherwin-Williams offers many options that perform differently, reach different aesthetic goals, and meet different budget requirements. All of these quality, low VOC paints meet LEED V4 criteria, too.

Plant-based Unearthed

Unearthed Paint’s Marmopure Paint has only 9 ingredients and is 100% VOC free. It’s made with vegetable casein directly derived from plants, rather than milk casein, making this paint more ecologically friendly and odor-free compared to traditional milk paints. It is primarily suitable for indoor applications and can be used on plaster, stone, concrete, wallpaper, drywall, and fibrous plaster boards. It is not recommended for permanently humid surfaces, including kitchens and bathrooms. In addition, you can mix in your own pigment to create your own custom color, making this a wonderful addition to our guide to non-toxic paints.

Subtle Color from Farrow & Ball

Farrow & Balls’s Estate Emulsion is another great non-toxic paint. It is low VOC and available in a range of durable interior and exterior paint finishes, which are each rigorously tested to ensure the depth of color and long-lasting finish.

Natura from Benjamin Moore

The final addition to our guide to non-toxic paints is Benjamin Moore’s Natura Paint. This paint is VOC-free, zero-emission, and certified asthma and allergy-friendly – making it Benjamin Moore’s greenest paint.  Natura is available in thousands of colors and provides a durable, washable film that is suitable for indoor surfaces.

Bringing Intention Home

For more than a decade, LiLu Interiors has been designing intentional living environments that reflect the singular values and needs, lifestyle, and aesthetics of each individual client. With care, joy, and trust, we’ll creatively collaborate with you to design a home that uniquely expresses who you are and how you live. Intentional design, no matter the style, requires thoughtful attention to detail and deliberate choices.
Let’s make life better. Let’s bring your intentions home.