Natural paints
Are the only true non-toxic paint, they are made from natural ingredients such as water, vegetable oils, plant dyes, and natural minerals. The main binders used in natural paints are: linseed oil (from flax seeds), clay, lime, soy, and milk protein.
Lime and milk paints give an authentic period look, and are often used in Period property restoration projects. Chalk is used as an extender to thicken paint; turpentine (distilled from pine trees) is used as a solvent; essential oils from citrus fruits (d-limonene) are used as a solvent and fragrance; and natural mineral and earth pigments are used as colorants.
Benefits
Health – Fewer toxins means fewer allergies and chemical sensitivities, especially for small children. European regulations ensure they are suitable for use on toys and nursery furniture.
Environment – Fewer contaminants in landfill and groundwater systems, as well as fewer ozone-depleting compounds. Paint leftovers can be easily disposed of in the bin, sink or the compost heap. Off-gassing in home is not toxic.
Effective – Good coverage and depth of coverage. Better selection of finishes. Longer lasting. less drips. Good at retaining heat and not blocking moisture movement.
Durability – less prone to paint flaking, blistering and peeling. Does not trap moisture in walls or wood.
Micro-Porous – Allows wall and surfaces to breathe, preventing condensation and damp problems and reducing indoor allergens, air born micro-organisms and mold.
Easy to clean– Brushes, rollers and hands can be cleaned with water, plant soap or orange oil solvent. Paint on hands does not pollute the body, land fill or water table.
Less smelly – Low odors during application and none after curing time. Rooms can be occupied sooner after painting. Chemical sensitivities, allergy’s and child friendly.
Sustainable – Supporting local, non petrochemical, sustainable emerging industries. Made from plant seed, tree oil and rock minerals that can be easily sustained long in the future. Using lime absorbs Co2 in carbonation process.
Drawbacks
What’s Not in Natural Paint? (but commonly found in other paints)
Petrochemicals, VOCs, Formaldehyde, Ethylene Glycol, Alkyds, Acrylic, Polyvinyl or Styrene copolymers, industrial Acetates, hydrocarbon derived surfactants, artificial scents, preservatives and heavy metal driers.
Environmental issues
The painting and decorating industry contributes to large amounts of chemical toxic waste in the industrial industry. Many products are simply over produced and packaged, poured down sinks or put in household rubbish, thrown away by industry, decorators and householders when the are meant to be disposed of at the council bins hazardous waste section. Many paint and chemical producers have been operating in third world countries where there is less regulation on disposal so they end up in rivers polluting people and the natural environment. The industry buys a lot of the cheap left-overs from the oil-plastics chemical industry. From what i have read the industry is involved with its model of sustainable development meaning, to improve;
- The waste sent to landfill
- longevity of a paint usually by adding more toxic pollutants
- Energy used in creating the paints by water collection and solar.
- Disposal of paints by having a incinerator next to a chemical plant and by working with local councils to have a recycling point – currently around one in three and a toxic waste point where they go to incineration.
- Monitoring the amounts of paint disposed of at local council bins and trying to improve recycling of paint – http://www.paintcare.org.uk/
However still none of the mainstream brands are showing any of the ingredients they are adding to paints. Only they have reduced the amounts of (VOCs) by making water based paints expecting awards and so on. Each year they are selling millions more liters of harmful pollutants to the environment and making huge profits. Small things are being done very slowly. –https://www.coatings.org.uk/Sustainable_Development.aspx
Decorators have proved increased chances of Asthma, cancer, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The oceans are suffering hugely from the paint industry- http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2014/08/sea-polluted-paint-dust
Things are slowly improving but now we have a choice whether or not we want to use petro-chemical and acrylic plastic paints or non chemical natural alternatives without big price differences.
Health issues
People who are prone to respiratory issues, who have allergies, and children can be affected by having these products on the walls next to them. Small water and air molecules are constantly moving through walls with changes in atmospheric pressure and humidity as well as off-gassing of new paint effecting the air quality and flow through the space. These particles continually entering our systems can be the causes of airborne pathogenic micro organisms causing allergy and illnesses.
Article about health issues in new homes, moisture, airflow and toxic paint and products.
https://www.ft.com/content/5411fd18-409c-11e7-82b6-896b95f30f58
Auro paints and products.
Auro is a German company that produces biodegradable, ethically sourced organic natural paints, oils, waxes, pigments and other products. I recommend them because they source their materials from organic, sustainable production as best they can. They use solar panels and rainwater catchment systems to maximize energy efficiency. Their products are brilliant in variety, durability and application and most importantly have been constantly testing and improving their products for thirty years. They specialize in the use of linseed oil as the base for many of their paints. These paints allow for more flexibility with the changing temperatures, pressures and humidity inside and outside the home. They also allow for a certain breath-ability for walls unlike the acrylic alternatives that appear to crack and hold moisture especially around windows and damp areas. They also use nice smelling oils such as orange essential oil, as the solvent, giving rooms a lovely smell! Unlike conventional paints and other so-called eco paints, you can find out the ingredient of every substance on their product list.
Auro video.
A old quote from a Auro distributor
” You will find that many paint brands disguise their paint descriptions in eco rhetoric, using words like organic, solvent free, environmentally friendly and green but very few explain why this is other than citing VOC free, nor do they offer a declaration of the ingredients used in the product- one should ask “why not”? Surely being as transparent as possible will help customers make more informed decisions and become better consumers. Water based and VOC free (if their is such a thing- even the EU guidlines cite minimal VOC, 0-0.29%, as the lowest rating) do not make paints wholly ecological. This is especially true if the term ecology is defined as incorporating sustainability, which surely should be at the forefront of any eco argument. Moreover, a paint that smells of nothing i.e VOC free, very often will have another chemical in it making the smell of a binder, solvent, de-foamer, drier, preservative or any number of other paint additives that have gone in as part of its make up.
From the beginning of 2012, Auro are using oils and vegetable fats from controlled biological cultivation (German : kbA = Kontrolliert biologischer Anbau). The coconut fat and palm kernel fat are certified by ECOCERT. The rapeseed, linseed and soya oils we now use are controlled by the IMO (institute for market ecology) and the sunflower oil by the federal eco control point, Grunstempel. ECOCERT is one of the most important interdependent certifying bodies for biological products.”
Why choose Green feet?
Aim to charge very competitive rates because we use the materials that we enjoy to paint with. This makes the job estimated at around the same price, usually lower than a painter estimating using conventional paints.
Nine years experience of using natural paints and products. We can give advice on products, surface finishes, interior design and can adapt colors when needed.
A happy, trustworthy, efficient, flexible and reliable team, we keep good communication and understanding of our customers needs, we continue to keep positive relations with all our customers and can provide references if needed.
You are welcome to contact me if you need a estimate, see colour charts, or need advice concerning Natural/Eco decorating Paints and lime plasters .
