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GREEN PAINT
Milk Paint
A time-tested natural green paint is milk-based paint. Casein, a protein found in milk products, is separated from the milk and mixed with water, clay, and earth pigments to form a thick, eco-friendly paint. Casein paint, most notably used during the Renaissance Period, is a form of tempera paint, a fast-drying egg-based paint that has been in use since the days of ancient Egypt.
Lime Wash
An inexpensive, eco-friendly alternative to traditional paint is lime wash. Limestone, a calcium-based mineral, is combined with water to form a simple, natural green paint that is the basis of all whitewashes. Lime wash can be used indoors or outdoors and forms a unique, glowing finish that comes in a variety of colors.
Clay Paint
Clay paint is one of the most common natural paints. It's composed of earth-based minerals and uses mostly water
as a solvent. It produces an adobe look for your home and,
if that appeals to you, organic clay paint may be a good choice for your entire green home remodeling project.
Colors range from natural earth tones to an assortment of blue, white, and orange tints. These paints adhere to most surfaces, require only two coats (like most standard paints) and are also an effective odor-absorber.
Soy Paint
Soy bean oil alone is totally non-toxic, but it does not make good paint, as it needs to first be converted into an alkyd or polyester. These are both energy intensive processes which increase toxicity. They often require considerable energy and petrochemicals to make an alkyd resin. Also, soy paints tend to raise the grain of new drywall. They dry slow, have a vegetable oil odor and can be allergenic. Technology is improving every day, so soy paints may be a viable solution.
New eco-friendly paints and varnishes are coming on to the scene every week it seems. There are paints made to fight germs, reduce mold and mildew and even paint that's paint and primer in one! To keep up, you might want to drift into a paint store sometime soon and ask "what's new?"
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