Which Paints are Truly Safe?
There is a myriad of paints claiming to be “green” or zero-VOC, but most don’t list their ingredients, others list the main components, while some only list what has to be legally disclosed on a safety data sheet (SDS).
This post covers interior wall paints and primers, metal paints, cabinet paints, and floor paints.
VOC-Free Paint
We know that zero-VOC is a legal term and does not always mean it really has no VOCs (chemically).
Keep in mind there are products that are higher in VOCs that will “flash off” and cure quickly, while other low-VOC, or even zero-VOC, formulations can take longer to cure.
Exempt VOCs, meaning those that are not counted in that term legally, include ammonia and acetone.
Other Chemicals of Concern: APEs
Apart from VOCs, alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs), which are surfactants used in acrylic paints, can disrupt the hormone system.
Preservatives & Mildewcide
All paints except Milk Paint have preservatives. A few brands in the post disclose which ones they use. With others, we can only guess based on the list of commonly used preservatives/mildewcides.
Chemical Sensitivities
Those who are chemically sensitive should test multiple brands for tolerance after looking through the ingredients and reviewing what works best for the most severely sensitive folks.
In my view, a truly eco-friendly paint is zero-VOC at two weeks’ time but is also ideally low VOC and low odor when wet.
The following are some natural, non-toxic options that work well and won’t do damage to the leather in the long run.
This post contains affiliate links. Upon purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
There are two main categories of safe healthy paint:
1. Acrylic Paint (often called latex paint)
This is the most common type of paint used in homes. The main binder is of course acrylic. This is widely used due to the ease of application and durability against water and stains.
I list my top picks in the acrylic-latex category with a price comparison.
2. Mineral Paint
This category includes paints that have a more natural base. This category is very diverse. Mineral paints include silicate paints, clay-based paints, lime paint or limewash, chalk paint, and milk paint.
I have a separate post dedicated to those mineral paints!
Top Picks for Interior Acrylic Paint
What is “latex paint”? This is a general term that means acrylic paint. Paint used to contain styrene-butadiene rubber (synthetic latex). Standard use acrylic paints do not contain this ingredient today. Though only some paints are made with a 100% acrylic binder and some contain polyvinyl acetate (PVA).
1. ECOS Paints
ECOS primers and paints are zero-VOC and are certainly the most popular acrylic paint for the chemically sensitive.
Like most paints, they are zero-VOC after 14 days of curing under normal conditions.
This paint is highly tolerable and is my go-to pick for both healthy and chemically sensitive folks in 99% of cases.
This is the only synthetic paint I know of that releases its ingredient list in full, so they are the most transparent.
It’s rare to find someone who doesn’t do well with ECOS, though the extremely sensitive need to air it out longer and may want to test out a number of brands as well as the more natural mineral options to see which one works best.
The paint performs well, has good pigments (great ability to color match), and good coverage.
Free of mildewcide: They removed mildewcides from the formula in 2017, however, they do use 1-hydroxy-2-pyridinethione as a preservative.
Free of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs).
Note: Both Lullaby Paints and Quiet Home Paints are both ECOS brand paint. Quiet Home has “curated colors”. This is the exact same product as ECOS paint.
Cost and Where to Buy:
You can buy it online from their website. It’s $78 a gallon with free shipping over $100 in the US. They sell samples, 3 for $10, including shipping.
They ship to everywhere in the US as well as Canada and Mexico.
In the UK this brand is called Lakeland Paints.
2. AFM Safecoat Zero-VOC Paint
Tintable to thousands of colors. Safecoat is zero-VOC with no-VOC colorants. (Though the primer is low-VOC).
This is a well-known brand that has been around for longer than most others.
It does not have as good coverage as ECOS.
They make it a focus to have no hazardous air pollutants (HAPS) – since “zero VOC” means it can still contain some hazardous substances.
This brand makes fantastic products, but the paint is not usually my top pick, especially for the severely sensitive. Though you may want to use AFM Transitional Primer and their paint to seal in offgassing since it does a better job at sealing in offgassing than other brands.
The preservative is an isothiazolinone (BIT).
This is an acrylic paint. The Pearl sheen also contains PVA.
Cost and Where to Buy:
You can buy this online. It’s $69 a gallon + shipping. You can buy samples here for $6 each. They ship to the US and Canada.
3. Mythic Paint
This was the fan-favorite amongst acrylic paints before they went out of business in North America. This paint is still available in the UK with some use in Asia.
In attempting to track the sale of this formula in North America I looked at a few possibilities:
A commenter believes American Pride (by the same parent company as Mythic) may be similar, though the company was not responsive to attempts to contact them.
ECOS, the new fan favorite, is tolerated as well as Mythic was. This is definitely my pick for a replacement paint. I have heard from multiple industry sources that the same scientist was involved in both brands, but there is sufficient evidence that they are not the same formula.
Much Smarter Paint claims to have Mythic matched, but that appears to be a marketing statement, it is not a statement about the formula. I don’t know that this company has any basis to say that they matched the formula.
It is my understanding that none of these companies bought the formula.
Costs and Where to Buy:
You can buy American Pride in select stores in the southern United States.
Much Smarter Paints you can buy online. The smallest quantity is a quart for $17. It’s $50 a gallon + shipping (only ships within the US).
These two are smaller brands and I’m not convinced they have ECOS beat, but everyone is different, so you may still prefer them. You can buy ECOS paint online.
4. Durasoy
This paint is a little different. Although it’s an acrylic paint, the acrylic is naturally derived (and not from petrochemicals).
Green Planet Paints is a similar type of paint, also made with a bio-acrylic binder. I tested this one and didn’t find it to be that different from a regular zero-VOC acrylic.
Costs and Where to Buy:
You can purchase Durasoy online through their website. It’s $53 a gallon plus shipping.
Green Planet Paints also sells their paint online through their website. It’s $48 a gallon.
The most common preservatives in paint include isothiazolinones and/or pyrithione zinc.
5. Benjamin Moore
Benjamin Moore makes a number of zero-VOC acrylic paints, one of the original non-toxic paint lines was their Natura (now phased out).
Ben Moore paints do contain a mildewcide (isothiazolinone). It is free of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs).
Natura was phased out in March 2021, you might still find some cans in store.
They have many more zero-VOC lines added now like ben. Aura is very close to zero-VOC. The company reps claim that their Eco Spec is the closest paint to Natura, however it’s not as good quality.
If you want something you can go out and buy from a store right now or on Amazon, Ben Moore might be your best option.
Costs and Where to Buy:
Benjamin Moore stores can be found all over the US and Canada. You can buy samples online – samples only ship to the US.
Costs per gallon: EcoSpec $48 Natura was $80, ben $47.
6. Sherwin Williams Harmony
Sherwin Williams Harmony is another easy to source zero-VOC acrylic paint with zero-VOC pigments.
This paint claims to reduce formaldehyde. Based on patents by this company, it’s likely this paint contains sodium bicarbonate, zeolite, and possibly cyclodextrin.
It does have a mildewcide/preservative which is not disclosed.
Sherwin Willians ProMar 200 and their EcoSelect are other affordable Sherwin William lines that are zero-VOC.
Most Sherwin Williams lines are confirmed free of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs).
In terms of a more durable enamel paint, ProClassic Waterborne Interior Acrylic Enamel has been reported by moderately sensitive folks to offgas relatively quickly.
Costs and Where to Buy:
You can buy this at Sherwin Williams paint stores. Sherwin Williams color samples that you can buy online are not the real paint, you have to get this in-store to sample the paint itself.
Some SW lines have quart sizes, but Harmony does not come in quart size.
Harmony $60 per gallon (sometimes on sale online for $42), ProMar $70.
7. Dunn Edwards
Spartazero is another acrylic paint that is zero-VOC (pigments included). Their Everest is also no-VOC and has a HPD that reveals all ingredients.
They are free of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) and the mildewcide/preservative is a isothiazolinone.
Let me know if you have any feedback on it.
If you like to buy local, support smaller companies, and you have this near you, you may want to test it.
Costs and Where to Buy:
You can find this at smaller chain hardware and paint stores. The cost is $45 per gallon.
8. Valspar Paint
Valspar paint lines are the most affordable of the zero-VOC non-toxic acrylic paints, and the brand is wildly available.
Because it’s so affordable this could be a good option when you need to convince a property owner or management company to use a healthier paint.
Costs and Where to Buy:
Valspar Pristine is one of the zero VOC lines, and it goes for 29 USD at Walmart.
2021 update: Valspar Simplicity is not discontinued but it’s been mostly out of stock. A comparable product is HGTV Ovation Plus by Sherwin Williams (from Lowes, $16/gallon).
Valspar 4000 is also 0-VOC but a lower grade paint than the Valspar Simplicity.
9. Farrow & Ball
Despite being just slightly over the threshold for what is considered zero-VOC, Farrow & Ball in my opinion is the most tolerable paint in this section.
It is much lower in offgassing and odor when wet than any other paint I have tried.
This is a good reminder that VOC levels don’t always correspond to how good a product is in reality.
This is partially because there can be exempt VOCs in paint, because the rate of offgassing can vary greatly, and because we are all different in which chemicals are the most triggering.
This to me, seems to be the safest paint when wet in the conventional category. And it also cured quickly.
The binder in this paint is a vinyl acetate/ethylene copolymer (PVA) – it’s not technically an acrylic paint.
It does contain isothiazolinones like most other paints on the list.
It’s extremely similar to BioShield paint, which is marketed as a “clay paint” but in my experience, it is much easier to apply.
Costs and Where to Buy:
This UK-based company has stockists around the world. You can order online with paint shipping out from the US, UK, France, and Germany to most countries around the world. A sample pot is $8.
It’s pricy at $110 a gallon.
Honorable mention: as of 2021 almost all big brands have a zero or close to zero-VOC paint. Delux brand, available all around the world has a close to zero-VOC formula and Behr has one now as well. Clare is a new online brand of no-VOC paint that sells peel and stick color swatches. Some of their paints contain mineral oil.
Eco-Friendly Paint Price Comparison
| BRAND | COST PER GALLON (USD) | IS SHIPPING INCLUDED |
| ECOS | $78 | Over $100, yes |
| AFM Safecoat | $69 | No, unless you buy in store |
| Much Smarter Paints | $50 | No |
| Durasoy | $53 | No |
| Envirosafe | $50 | No |
| Farrow & Ball | $110 | No but you can find it in store too |
| Ben Moore EcoSpec | $48 | Buy in store |
| Ben Moore ben | $47 | Buy in Store |
| Sherwin Williams Promar | $70 | Buy in Store |
| Sherwin Williams Harmony | $60 | Buy in Store |
| Dunn Edwards | $45 | Buy in Store |
| Valspar Pristine | $29 | Buy in Store |
Natural Mineral Paints for Interior Walls
- My post on natural mineral paints compares the most popular brands – Romabio, BioShield, Annie Sloan, and Milk Paint.
- 1. RomaBio is the only one that is technically called a “mineral paint”, which means it’s a silicate-based breathable paint. Although lime is the filler, this paint is still a mostly synthetic paint, which to my nose was even higher in offgassing than ECOS.
- 2. BioShield is one of my top picks in this more natural category. The binder in this paint is PVA. It has a high percentage of natural ingredients and the least amount of concerning additives, and the lowest odor. The extremely sensitive usually do well with this brand. All ingredients are disclosed. However, Farrow and Ball is just as tolerable, easier to access, easier to apply, and in my experience, more durable.
- 3. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint was also surprisingly low odor. I really liked this paint and it seemed very non-toxic to me. It has great coverage and does not need a primer on most surfaces (including radiators). Though in contrast to BioShield, we don’t know much about what is in this paint.
- 4. Milk Paint is another one that should be in this category. True milk paint is 100% natural (the only paint that is 100% natural and biodegradable). It comes in a powder and is made of casein, lime, clay, and pigments. Over new drywall, it does not require a primer. For durability, it needs a topcoat, which would be a natural oil, wax or varnish.
If you want to see what these four actually look like see my post on natural paints.
Avoiding acrylic paint due to its contribution to microplastic waste? If so, focus on these options:
- Milk Paint (Old Fashioned Milk Paint or The Real Milk Paint brands)
- Chalk Style Paint that discloses all ingredients (like DIY Paint co)
- Farrow and Ball Paint (contains no acrylic plastic – source)
- Clay paint made with PVA binders (like BioShield)
- Clay, lime, or gypsum plaster
- True silicate-based mineral paint with no acrylic or undisclosed polymers (like Silacoat)
- (source on acrylic paint becomng microplastic)
Non-Toxic Interior Wall Primers
- 1. AFM SafecoatTransitional Primer – is low-VOC, and is known for being particularly good at sealing in toxins (for a paint).
- 2. AFM New Wallboard Primer is for new drywall (also low-VOC) can be used on new wallboard.
- 3. ECOS makes great zero-VOC primers (no mildewcide). Their general wall primer is used on new drywall, and wood primers. I like their Air Purifying Primer (APP) which is low odor. The APP primer has a similar level of odor to the low luster paint.
- This primer contains zeolite which absorbs VOCs, and I believe this is bringing down the odor of the primer itself (I doubt it can do anymore to absorb odors in the room). Their Stain Blocking Primer sample arrived solid when I ordered it, though it did seem higher odor than APP. This would be used on woods with high tannins, for example.
- Their Universal Primer is the one with the strongest bonding power. You can use this on more difficult to prime surfaces like vinyl, stained wood and metal. ECOS is my top brand here if you don’t mind ordering online.
- 4. Sherwin Williams Promar 200 is a zero-VOC primer (no mildewcide).
- 5. Benjamin Moore – Natura Primer is zero-VOC. That one is being phased out. The Ultra Spec 500 is a good zero-VOC primer that works on new drywall.
Non-Toxic Metal Primers
- 1. AFM MetalCoat Primer is a low-VOC formula that can be used on interior and exterior metal including galvanized steel, aluminum, and non-ferrous metal.
- 2. ECOS Paints makes a Universal Primer that can be used on bare iron and Steel (not cast iron).
- 3. Tung oil can be used to rustproof some types of steel. More on tung oil in a dedicated post. If you prefer an all-natural solution, this might work for you.
- 4. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint can be used over some metals as a primer. I really liked this paint, despite a lack of transparency on what is in it. I discuss that paint in the mineral paint post. Rustoleum Chalked also works over metal and you can find it on Amazon and Home Depot. It’s slightly higher odor than Annie Sloan (but cheaper!).
Non-Toxic Kitchen Cabinet Paint
- 1. AFM Safecoat Ecolacq is an acrylic lacquer that works particularly well on cabinets. Ecolacq line has a primer and needs to be sprayed on to cabinets to get a professional look.
- 2. Annie Sloan Paint works particularly well on cabinets – and it usually doesn’t need prep or primer (though you really should sand first). You do have to finish it with a topcoat. I look more deeply into Annie Sloan in my mineral paint post.
- 3. Farrow & Ball’s Full Gloss paint works well on cabinets. This is my favorite zero- VOC paint brand. It is easy to wipe down and wash with a 95-percent gloss.
Non-Toxic Floor Paint
- 1. Farrow and Ball makes a floor primer. Their Modern Eggshell line is then used on top of that. This works on wood and concrete floors. More info on substrate prep on their site.
- 2. ECOS Paints Floor Paint is formulated for wood and concrete floors. Their Porch & Floor Paint which is more durable is made for exterior and interior concrete floors (not wood!).
- 3. AFM Safecoat Concrete Floor Paint – This is acrylic paint with PVA. It’s mostly used on concrete floors, but there are some conditions in which you can use it on wood.
Related posts:
- Non-toxic exterior paint
- Non-toxic paints for wood (toys, furniture)
- Natural mineral paint testing comparison (clay paint, chalk paint, mineral paint)
- Non-toxic concrete paint
- Non-toxic breathable, high perm rating paints
- Non-toxic radiator paint
PS. This less-toxic paint stripper is often the best one for sensitive folks. A dedicated post has more options.
Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 7 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.
Did you find this post helpful? If so you can buy me a coffee to support the research behind this blog. Thank you!
Monica Clark says
I appreciate your website as it has educated me on what it means to be severely chemically sensitive and to come up with solutions. I read your review on nontoxic paints, and thought I would try DuraSoy One semigloss to paint one of our bathrooms. It has a nice consistency and covers very well with one coat. The paint was applied Sept 17 -19 during hot weather in the low 90s with a portable heater running for 3 days. The paint has totally dried, but the odor is still strong. The bathroom has not used all during this time because of the odor and I can’t leave the door open to airout or the smell spreds through out the house. I called the company in Arizona about the problem and the Rep. says the ordor should have been gone in 3 days if there wasn’t high humidity, which there wasnt here in Southern Oregon. I would like to know if anyone has used this product and their experience with it. By the way, the old paint on the walls was flat based and no mold or mildew.
Corinne says
Thanks for sharing Monica. I haven’t seen that one in person but I have seen GreenPlanet Paints which is very similar in its composition.
Three things that could be happening:
You don’t want to apply paint in that much heat though that should not account for this problem.
Coats applied to quickly in succession can cause “blocking” and it won’t cure
Applied over another paint type that was incompatible with it, reaction between those two paint types.
And fourth, I suppose possible but not likely, a problem with that batch of paint
Kyle says
Hi Corinne,
We are remodeling an old home we bought and my wife has MCS. We are looking for feedback on metal hardware issues with doorknobs and kitchen handles and pulls. I couldn’t find anything on it on your website.
We are scheduled to get a matte black pull from the custom cabinet company making our cabinets but just realized there may be an issue for her in the black finish/paint on the pulls and the black finish on door knobs we will buy to match it (chemicals and dyes in the paint that could leach, chemicals in the metals themselves, lead issues, etc.)
Do you have any information on if there is a concern on paint that is already dried on these handles/knobs/pulls? If there are, what types of metal/materials/finishes are a lot safer for these different types of hardware we use throughout the home?
We thought if the common matte black hardware is an issue we could substitute it with something like a cast iron, wrought iron, or even an all bronze material to keep the darker look but possibly eliminate the paints/finishes. Then again do they paint/finish those too to keep them from rusting?
Is there more of a concern about the paint/finish or the metal underneath the paint in terms of exposures.
We are really exhausted with all these decisions and the effort it has taken us to get to this point in the remodeling (making it as toxic free as possible) and would love to just not worry about these finishing touches but don’t want to be ignorant of something we don’t know anything about if there is a big risk. If the risk is low we will probably just not worry about it and move forward.
Thanks for your time Corinne.
Kyle
Jen says
What is the concern over mildewcide or antimicrobials in products?
Jen says
And also pva, if any?
Robert Hogward says
Hi there, Very informative post, thanks for these information that has given me. It promises a finish that looks almost professional and saves me time and effort. 🙂
Claudia Phillips says
Thank you for this very thorough and informative article.
Corinne says
You’re welcome, Claudia.
Hallina says
Hi can you recommend any paints for the exterior of houses? I am highly sensitive and even when my neighbors paint it bothers me. Thank you!
Also we are planning to paint and stain our deck, if you have any experience there. Appreciate you creating this amazing resource.
Hugs,
Hallina
Corinne says
https://www.mychemicalfreehouse.net/2021/02/non-toxic-exterior-paints.html
Sandra Boudreaux says
Thank you Corinne for all the wonderful information. I am painting an entire kitchen that is a combination of wood and plastic laminated sides. I’ve been advised to use an extra adhesive primer and paint, but I’m having a difficult time finding all that in low/no voc. I’m looking for a semi gloss, soft white finish. Since it is such a large job, I want to make sure I don’t make a mistake using products that are not going to adhere to the surface and withstand the daily use. Do you have any suggestions?.
Corinne says
Two options, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint can be used as a primer in some cases or BIN Shellac if you can get through the offgassing.
Sandra says
Do you mean BIN primer or Bulls Eye Shellac? Won’t the shellac eventually yellow?
Svetlana says
Benjamine Moore discontinued manufacturing Natura as of 1 March 2021. Does anyone know why? The company states that Eco Spec is their “greenest paint” now. Is Eco Spec the very same as Natura or there are some differences between both? Thank you.
Corinne says
Natura was very expensive, with all the 0 VOC options out now I imagine it could not compete. They have not said the ingredients so we don’t know if that is actually the same. I would have to sniff both side by side to have a good idea.
Lindsay says
Why did you leave out Green Planet Paints in this review? Very interested in this paint company but hard to find review. Love your site and thank you for your work.
Corinne says
Green Planet Paints is in the post.
Deepika says
We are planning to use ECOS primer/paints to paint interior of our house. Is using Airless Paint Sprayer OK to do the job?
Chris says
Hello.
I need advice on a non-toxic exterior paint. Is there such a thing? I need to paint some tin panels for a garden bed and don’t want it to leach into the soil. For the same reason, I want to cover up the tin.
Chris
Corinne says
You will need a metal paint for tin, check out the metal paints in this post.
Rosalita says
Benjamin Moore and other paint companies were sued for unsubstantiated claims made about their “no VOC” paint emissions and detection, and the company agreed to a settlement in 2017. They have discontinued their “Natura” line. I’d love to see an update on this list that reviews the findings and eliminate other plaintiffs’ brands.
Corinne says
Yes but the infraction was very minor – they had to change the wording from no odor to no typical paint odor and from 0 VOC to O VOC at 14 days, and change some of the photos they used for advertising. That doesn’t change the fact that chemically sensitive people still prefer Natura (now just discontinued) and ECOS. When more people try Farrow and Ball I’m confident that would be a favorite in the community. Otherwise without this input from chemically sensitive people over the last 10 years that I have ben in this community there is no other way to tell 0 VOC brands apart.
Most brands are still being at least somewhat deceptive, and it’s a lot more common in smaller brands as they are far far less likely to get caught by the FTC. Every single day I see a product with a false claim.
Angie Witte says
Thanks Corinne! I have some ECOs universal primer and am wondering if it would be less toxic than Sherwin Williams Promar 200. I am painting previously painted doors. Thanks!
Corinne says
The universal or transitional primers are higher odor than just a regular basic wall primer in most cases. I have seen those both but not at the same time. I think ECOS universal is higher odor if I’m remembering that right.
Angie Witte says
Thank you!
Angie Witte says
Also, I had a chance to look over your entire website and want to thank you so so much for this information. I have struggled for years this helps me be unparalyzed in making upgrades and necessary changes. Thank you thank you!
Corinne says
You’re welcome!
CS says
Hey, this is a great post, but I think you may have missed a whole category: Swedish natural linseed oil paints such as Allback. These are excellent for exteriors but also great for interior trim, cabinetry, furniture, etc. Look up “solvent free paints” and you’ll find the U.S. seller.
Corinne says
Thanks yes I’m planning to add the natural oil based paints like AFM Naturals!
Nancy says
Thank you so much for this well-researched post! I afraid to even ask this, but are any of these healthier interior paints available at big box stores like Home Depot, Ace or Lowe’s?
Corinne says
Hi, yes, for each brand I mention where to buy it.
Marlene says
I am removing mold and redoing our bathroom. My contractor is using Kilz for the moisture and I was wondering how safe that is or what I could use that is safer in the bathroom.
Corinne says
I would not use Kilz. Properly remove the mold, fix the problem that caused it and then there is no need for an encapsulation or any biocide or special paint.
Susan says
Would you choose Benjamin Moore natura or SW harmony for a home with a small child and one family member with asthma? Also, what wall primer would you recommend? (We need to prime before painting bc our walls are very scuffed and were never primed when it was built.) Thank you so much!!!
Susan says
Would you choose Benjamin Moore natura or SW harmony for a home with a small child and one family member with asthma? Also, what wall primer would you recommend? (We need to prime before painting bc our walls are very scuffed and we’re never primed when it was built.) Thank you so much!!!
Corinne says
The differences between those two are insignificant. Though among people with sensitivities Ben Moore is more well liked. They make a primer too.
Jenna says
Hi Corinne, thank you for all your wonderful information I wish I found your site before making this monumental mistake. When I bought my house last year it had a strong dog smell, so I ripped out the Carpets and painted the subfloor in a couple rooms with kilz (yikes!) and put in new carpet in top. Now a year later one room STILL has offgassing I can smell. I had a test done to reveal elevated levels of xylene and Ethyl benzene (and some others in lesser concentrations).
What advice can you give me to stop the offgassing? I know I will have to pull the carpet back up, but then can I seal it with something or just bite the bullet and sand the whole thing?
Any information is greatly appreciated thank you!
Corinne says
I would suspect the carpet as the offgasser there.
Jenna says
I don’t think so. The smell eminates from the closet where the carpet was just shy of reaching the wall. The other room I put the carpet in does not smell. Also to be clear the carpet was tacked down along the perimeter, not glued to the subfloor.
Corinne says
I would continue to try to isolate where it’s coming from by comparing the subfloor to the carpet and why is it coming mostly from the closet (more like because the closet has been closed up with less airflow so it’s more obvious there).
anneJ says
Sorry I didn’t know this was going to be a whole conversation. The closet has no door, so the gas isn’t trapped in there. I just know the smell is worst in the closet and that’s the only place the subfloor is exposed. Is there a reason you think it must be the carpetand not the kilz?
Corinne says
We would isolate the source of the problem first. There are a number of questions I would ask clients to be sure we know what the offending material is, then go through the various ways to remediate it.
Sherry says
Hi, any recommendations for interior concrete primer?
Corinne says
This is the post on concrete finishes, including paints https://www.mychemicalfreehouse.net/2020/10/non-toxic-concrete-sealers-paints-stains.html
Kelly says
I read an article on top healthy paint brands and discovered a company called “Clare”. It claims to have zero VOC and has some type of green certification and full transparency on their cans. I am not seeing anything about if it is safe for chemically sensitive people. I was planning on using ECOS but am not finding a color I want and am concerned about color matching to another brand since ECOs does not sell tinted samples.
Any chance you have had an opportunity to investigate Clare paint? I’d appreciate any input you have to offer.
Corinne says
I’ve looked at Clare but I could not see their full ingredient list and when I emailed the company they did not respond. It’s likely very similar to other 0 VOC brands but they also don’t sell samples so I don’t know how to judge it.
Kelly says
Thanks you for your quick response. I value your input and come to your site first when trying to make decision for our home.
Amelia says
Hello Corinne and Kelly, Were either of you able to get more info about Clare Paint for chemically sensitive folks? I’m similarly not that impressed with colors by ECOS but am not clear on Clare’s ingredients vs ECOS. Color options seem potentially better with Clare but mainstream non-VOC options like Dunn Edwards and others still give me a reaction.
Thank you
Corinne says
ECOS can match a Ben Moore Color and they have some of the best color selection. Farrow and Ball is also well known for unique and highly valued colors among designers.
Tara says
Thanks, Corinne. Great post. Do you know which chemicals/ingredients are most fragrant in low-VOC or 0-VOC paints?
Corinne says
The extenders, defoamers and the binder type https://pharosproject.net/common-products/2078951#contents-panel
Carmen says
Hi, I can’t find a single review for Durasoy interior paint. I want to order it but I want to hear from someone that has actually tried it. Anyone?
Thanks!
Tiffany says
Hi, I am wanting to upgrade my bathroom cabinets. I was wondering if you thought it would be less toxic to use a low VOC paint and repaint them or to buy a new painted cabinet where the varnish is baked on. Would that stop the off gassing?
Corinne says
Generally repainting is better but it depends what you are more sensitive to.