There is a myriad of paints claiming to be green, natural, 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 article investigates past the marketing jargon to compare all of the options that claim to be zero-VOC or natural.
This post covers interior wall paints for drywall, plasterboard, plaster, and wood.
I break the paints into categories based on their formulas:
1) Latex Paint which includes acrylic paint and VAE paint
2) Natural Paint which includes mineral paint, clay paint, and milk paint
3) Linseed-Based Oil Paint
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 powdered 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.
This post contains affiliate links. Upon purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
There are three main categories of safe healthy paint:
1.Latex Paint
This is the most common type of paint used in homes. The majority of “latex paints” are made with 100% acrylic binder. Others are non-acrylic “latex” which are made with a PVA or VAE binder. They are both water-based.
This paint type is widely used due to its ease of application and durability against water and stains. I list my top picks in the latex paint category with a price comparison.
2. Mineral Paint
This category includes paints that have a more natural base. Though technically “mineral paint” means paint made with a silicate binder that does not polymerize, in reality, this term is used much more broadly. The term mineral paint can include silicate paints, clay-based paints, lime paint or limewash, chalk paint, and milk paint.
3. Natural Oil-Based Paint
Most of us think of oil-based paint as not very healthy and high in VOCs. However, there is oil-based paint made with bio-based ingredients. As long as you are not sensitive to natural oils like linseed, you might really like this option.
Top Picks for Interior Latex Paint
What is “latex paint”? Paint used to contain styrene-butadiene rubber (synthetic latex). Standard latex paints do not contain this ingredient anymore. Today latex paints are made with either an acrylic binder, polyvinyl acetate (PVA), or vinyl acetate-ethylene (VAE) as the binder. Some are a mix.
Acrylic Paint
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.
They list their ingredients down to 0.01%.
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. I have used this paint and I did find it to be as low odor as an acrylic paint can get and it’s fast to cure. I can see why it’s the most popular of the zero-VOC acrylics.
Air Purifying Paint: ECOS also makes an Air Purifying Paint which has zeolite added as an absorbent (to absorb VOCs). It also contains vanillin. I do find that the odor of this paint while wet is lower than their standard paint since some of those VOCs are captured by the zeolite. If I was doing the painting myself, and could spend an extra $20/gallon, I would go with this option.
Free of mildewcide: They use 1-hydroxy-2-pyridinethione as a preservative which is a non-red list chemical.
Free of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs). Free of natural latex, it has been safely used by folks with a latex allergy.
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 ECOS Paints 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 acrylic paint 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.
They make it a focus to have no hazardous air pollutants (HAPS) – since “zero VOC” means it can still contain some hazardous substances.
In a survey of chemically sensitive folks, this was the second most popular choice after ECOS, but it also gets the most complaints (in my experience working with sensitive folks).
It does not have as good coverage as ECOS.
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).
Free of natural latex, it has been safely used by folks with a latex allergy.
Cost and Where to Buy:
You can buy AFM Safecoat 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
Mythic paint was the fan-favorite amongst acrylic paints before ECOS came along. I used Mythic Paint in my tiny house when I was extremely sensitive and really liked it.
This paint disappeared for many years (we all assumed it was out of business) before coming back to Pigment Paint Supply. It is the same formula as before.
It’s also available in the UK with some use in Asia.
Other similar brands to Mythic include:
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. 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. I believe, based on my use of both, that ECOS is the closest match.
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.
Costs and Where to Buy:
Buy Mythic from Pigment Paint Supply.
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).
I’m not convinced they have ECOS beat. You can buy ECOS paint online.
4. Bio-Based Acrylic
Bio-based paint is another subset of acrylic paint. Bio-based acrylic uses acrylic acid made from soybean oil (or other oils), glycerol, corn-derived lactic acid, lignocellulose, or tree sap instead of sourcing the acrylic acid from petrochemicals. Soybean oil is commonly used because it is low-cost and highly available says the North Dakota State University Research Foundation in their patent on bio-based acrylic.
DuraSoy by EcoSafetyProducts claims it’s a partial bio-based acrylic made from waste soy oils and/or waste tree saps. They say it’s around 10% bio-based content.
Green Planet Paints lists the polymers in their AgriPaint as bio acrylic (based on waste soy ester oil and waste tree saps) and an acrylic polymer made from post-cosumer recycled acrylic. They claim it has 40% biobased content.
Odor-wise and VOC-wise AgriPaint doesn’t seem any different than a regular zero-VOC paint. The reasons to go with one of these brands would be to limit petrochemicals or to add more recycled materials. If your main motivation is the environmental impact of paint this is certainly an option to consider. Bio-acrylic paints are not always compatible over an existing synthetic paint. Be sure to ask the companies first. AgriPaint used to not be compatible over some existing coatings, but they have reformulated so as to not have that problem.
Costs and Where to Buy:
DuraSoy $42-59 per gallon – online
AgriPaint $65 per gallon – online
The mostcommon preservatives in paint include isothiazolinones (MIT or BIT) and/or pyrithione zinc. MIT and BIT are red list chemicals, although the main problem is with skin contact (source 1, 2). Pyrithione zinc, the active ingredient in Head and Shoulders, also comes with health concerns, and is being banned in Europe (source). ECOS uses Pyrithione (without the zinc).
Benjamin Moore makes a number of zero-VOC acrylic paints, one of the original non-toxic paint lines was their Natura (which was phased out March 2021).
They provide a Declare label for their Ultra Spec line, which lists all ingredients down to 0.01% (they are one of only two brands that does this).
Ben Moore paints do contain a mildewcide (isothiazolinone). It is free of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs).
They have many more zero-VOC lines now like ben and Aura is so very close to zero-VOC that the difference is not significant. If you want a super tough bathroom paint with added mildewcide, Aura Bath and Spa is one of the only zero-VOC formulas that meets these performance specs.
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. I really liked Natura and was sad to see it go but I would have no problem going with Aura now.
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
Sherwin Williams Harmony was a paint line that some chemically sensitive folks liked. It has been discontinued at the end of 2021. It’s being replaced by another one of their zero-VOC acrylic paints, SuperPaint with Air Purifying Technology.
What is Air Purifying Paint?
They claim that SuperPaint with Air Purifying Technology can reduce VOCs in the home.
Based on a patent by this company, it could be that their air-purifying paints contain sodium bicarbonate, zeolite, activated carbon, and/or cyclodextrin as odor-absorbing agents. (Remember ECOS Paint also has an air purifying paint which we know has zeolite as the active ingredient).
The patent also describes possible odor-neutralizing agents like undecylenic acid, undecylenate silicone esters, chloramine-T, and zinc ricinoleate.
They mention that the paint can contain nano-titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or anatase titanium dioxide, which are capable of degrading odors in the presence of UV light. (Note that the white pigment in all paint is titanium dioxide). This process works in theory with some indirect sunlight or light through a window, but this photocatalica process of breaking down VOCs works best when the sun hits titanium dioxide directly, unobstructed, says Dr. Steven S.C. Chuang who holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering.
They also list a possible fragrance added.
It does have a mildewcide/preservative which is not disclosed.
Other Lines of Sherwin Williams
Sherwin Williams ProMar 200 and their EcoSelect are other affordable Sherwin William lines that are zero-VOC. The Emerald line their high quality zero-VOC option.
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.
Harmony $60 per gallon (sometimes on sale online for $42), ProMar $70.
Non-Acrylic Latex
1. 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 odor when wet than any acrylic paint.
This is a good reminder that VOC levels don’t always correspond to how tolerable for the chemically sensitive a product is in reality.
This to me, seems to be the safest paint when wet in the conventional latex category. And it also cured quickly.
The main binder in this paint is a vinyl acetate/ethylene copolymer (VAE). The following finishes are acrylic free (non-acrylic latex): Estate Emulsion, Estate Eggshell, Full Gloss, Limewash, Casein Distemper, Soft Distemper, and Dead Flat.
The finishes Modern Emulsion, Modern Eggshell and exterior finishes do use acrylic polymer binders.
It does contain isothiazolinones like most other paints on the list.
It’s seems similar to BioShield paint, which is marketed as a “clay paint” but in my experience, Farrow and Ball is much easier to apply.
Downsides: The matte and lower sheen finishes are not very durable to touch, wiping, wet hands etc. You also need to use the F&B primer with their paint as many other primers are not compatible.
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 pricey at $110 a gallon.
Honorable mention: as of 2022 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. Dunn Edwards is a small American chain that makes Spartazero and other zero-VOC lines that come with health product declarations (HPD). Valspar, one of the most affordable paints, has Valspar Pristine, Valspar 400, Valspar Simplicity and more (Valspar Simplicity is not discontinued but it’s been mostly out of stock. A comparable product is HGTV Ovation Plus by Sherwin Williams).
Eco-Friendly Paint Price Comparison2022
BRAND
COST PER GALLON (USD)
ISSHIPPING 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
I’m using the term mineral paint loosely here to refer to paints that are high in minerals and low in (or free of) synthetic chemicals. (Technically the term mineral paint only refers to silicate paints).
If you’re looking for paints that are 100% natural this post covers those.
1. Mineral Paint
Romabio and Kiem are the only ones on this list that can technically be called a “mineral paint”, which means it’s a silicate-based breathable paint.
Romabio contains other binders like EVA and it was to my nose a little higher in initial odor than ECOS; Kiem was far lower in odor, and contains just a little bit of acrylic polymer. It also contains no preservatives.
BioShield is also in this “more natural” category. The binder in this paint is listed as an alcohol ester (which might be PVA or PVOH). It has a high percentage of natural ingredients and is low odor.
The extremely sensitive usually do well with this brand. All ingredients are disclosed (sort of, using general terms). Farrow and Ball appears to me to be similar. (It’s just as tolerable, easier to access, easier to apply, and in my experience, more durable).
Buy BioShield through their website, and Farrow and Ball in store or through their website.
3. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
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).
Buy Annie Sloan through their website or stockists.
4. Milk Paint
Milk paint is another paint that should be in this category. True milk paint is 100% natural, with no synthetic ingredients at all and no preservatives. It’s fully biodegradable.
Pure Milk Paint comes in a powder and is made of casein, lime, clay, and pigments. For durability, it needs a topcoat, which would be a natural oil, wax, or varnish.
If you want to see my testing of milk paint on drywall, I have a post just on that.
Ana Sova is also a milk paint but in liquid form. They say it’s made with casein (milk protein) as the binder, titanium dioxide, cellulose, emulsifiers, fungicide, bactericide, mildew retardant, and preservatives. They claim that is it 96% “food ingredients”, though they do not declare the full list of ingredients.
I ordered a sample of Ana Sova in early 2022 but it did not show up. When I emailed them about it, they said “we are moving our paint mixing to a new facility”. They said they would send out a sample to me in the beginning of 2022 but I have not received one.
I would stick to powdered milk paint, for the true pure product. The Real Milk Paint Company is a top brand.
Allbäck linseed oil paint is made without solvents. The main ingredients are boiled linseed and pigments made from titanium oxide, iron oxides, chromium oxide green, and ultramarine blue. The drying agent is manganese.
Linseed paint is a penetrating paint on porous surfaces, so it doesn’t crack or peel. It’s also a breathable paint, that won’t trap moisture.
It bonds to virtually any surface that is clean and dry other than silicone. You can use it on wood, concrete, sheet metal, iron, plastic, wallpaper, and more.
This is an interior and exterior paint. No primer is needed except on very dry wood a prime cost of pure linseed helps.
For maintenance, you can apply pure linseed oil or linseed oil with wax.
You can use this on drywall (with the right application), or you can use their Linus Wall Paint formula which is made from linseed oil, water, cellulose, shellac, beeswax, and natural pigments.
It’s not impossible to paint over this in the future, you can go over it with a transitional primer or oil-based paint.
I do see you mention which are best in terms of after days/ 2 weeks etc. I am wondering what is the very safest option WHILE painting? I’m hoping there is some completely non toxic option that is so safe that I can paint without wearing a mask and while my toddler is in the room. (I don’t have childcare and would like to be able to paint myself to save costs.) Do you think any of the mineral paints (or others) meet those standards?
I have not seen any empirical info on that but I would say apart from all natural milk paint which is difficult to apply to walls, if you want something more standard, then Kiem mineral wall paint for the easiest most conventional application and look, second would be Bioshield which is a tad trickier to apply. I don’t know if they are officially safe for a toddler in the room you could ask the companies, I suspect they are. They are the best when wet. If they are not officially safe for a toddle then I would go with the all natural linseed paint.
Been dealing with the situation below for nearly 3 months. Any advice or direction?
I accidentally used a PPG oil based speedhide primer/sealer on dry wall and it made my home nearly unlivable. I immediately had a painted paint over it and he used a low voc latex with 2 coats. It was better for a week or so then offgassing came back. I then purchased AFT transitional primer and their zero voc flat paint. Did 3 coats of primer and 2 of top coat.
I still have a sensitivity and health reactions to the home. I have purchased air quality monitors and and environlenz air purifiers. But my VOCs continue to be consistently over 500 ppb.
Hi Corinne, thanks so much for all of this helpful information. I noticed that you haven’t included Behr paint on this list and I was just wondering if there was a reason for that. Their paint and primer claims to be zero VOC and is Green Guard Gold certified but I’m wondering if it contains harmful ingredients that should be avoided? My restoration company used it in my kitchen after a flood remediation and I found there to be barely any deductible odour so I was considering using it for the rest of my house. I just wanted to check first in case it contains harmful ingredients that I should be avoiding. Thanks!
We went ahead and purchased ecos for the whole house. We hired a handyman that is doing one room at a time. The first room he did he painted and the house was closed up. we came home and had to air out because I could smell it strong. But after that, every room the smell is barley there. I was just worried because I have a baby and two toddlers and we are usually in the house while he is painting. We might pass by him a few times or talk to him while he is working but we stay away of his area. We have had no symptoms of anything. But just wanted to check if this should be safe for baby and the kids?
It depends on the size of your house and the ventilation system. But generally I would leave when painting at least for the day. If you can’t leave I recommend Farrow and Ball as a better option to be around when wet.
Thank you for your reply. It is 1,800 square feet. But he is doing one room at a time. He already did two rooms and half of the hallway, we were gone most of the time but the last two days I stayed with baby in a different area. I will look into a another way. If he has been actively painting around the house and where I am I do not smell it, do you think it is an issue? Its hard to leave with three kids and nap times and all. I smelled the one room he did first day and now the second one because they are smaller space. When he painted one hallway wall I did not smell much at all. Hopefully no harm to baby at this point since we were already around the house.
I purchased enough Benjamin Moore Natura paint to paint my home before it was gone from the market. It has been carefully stored at room temperature since summer of 2021. This is when I learned I was in a sick house and had to remediate and sell. Flash forward to fall of 2022. I am looking for a safe home in a safe location. When it gets painted, I want to go with the safest option available. Would you in our experience say that it is worth leaning toward ordering and shipping the ECOS paint and having it shipped to me in Canada, or that you find that the Natura and ECOS are so similar that I should figure out a way to try the Natura first? All the money I have will be invested in buying a new home. I have to get this right the first time, as I have no where else to live if it doesn’t work. Any insights would be welcome, and please understand I am not asking you for anything other than your opinion on the matter. In the end, I have to make the choice. Thank you for your help.
I got very sick from it…I had to live in my car for 3 months after using it. Previously I used B/M natura and after it was gone, this was recommended – I would avoid it
You seem to lean more towards ECOS brand primers and paints over AFM. I am interested in AFM’s VOC sealing ability in primer and paints for the entire interior of our new build. My contractor wouldn’t use dry mix mud and I went with the lowest VOC I could find. I would love to block whatever I could in the walls with the AFM primer, assuming it works as it says. Would AFM be better than ECOS for this?
AFM Transitional is definitely a better block but it’s also a partial vapor barrier which could cause condensation if you use AC inside and dew point is hit at that layer.
They usually contain zeolite which can absorb a very small amount of VOCs (there is only a little in the paint). It’s not going to remediate an unlivable place.
Hi Corinne,
Why do you think Ecos is not Greenguard certified? In looking for natural house products I always wonder this when I find a product that seems good.
Thank you,
Cici
It’s unnecessary. VOC levels are and should be WAY below GGG levels. Every single water based paint is GGG levels. Transparency in ingredients like the Declare Lable is far more important.
Having severe allergic reactions to semi-gloss paint on my walls I cannot repay I’m renting is there any kind of non VOC sealer that I can put over this or something that I can clean it with I get the chemicals to dissipate
Desperate
Have you heard of Miller Paint? They are a smaller northwest company. They have a product called Acro Pure and was wondering how it measured up with ECOS and other paints that you have tested based on the SDS sheets.
For acrylic paint it needs to be 0 VOC to make the list. AFM is the exception because they are one of the first low VOC brands that was made for the chemically sensitive, but they are not what I would use now.
Hi Corrine!
I have what you might think is a completely off the wall question (no pun intended). But after being referred to your website and reading through a few articles, you may have some viable suggestions. I’m an artist with MCS. I’ve tried a number of different artists paints and the only ones I don’t react to are very expensive. I know, I know you’re thinking well it’s an expensive hobby, but there are a few brands out there that are highly pigmented at a reasonable price. Unfortunately those brands I react to. So now I’m researching house and furniture paints. Do you know if any of the paints you discussed would work on canvas? As long as it’s flexible it should work. But I would also like to find one that holds a brush stroke; something most house painters do not want. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Amy
Hi Corinne, I love your web page, I just luckily stumble up on it, thank God. I want to paint my bedroom and closet, I have some mildew issues. what paint would you use that is zero VOC’s and is mildew resistant. Kind of a small town but I have Sherwin Williams, Behr, Valspar, Benjamin Moore, also Lowe’s and Home Depot. Please help. Now that I found you, I’m telling everyone and will keep reading your awesome advise. Blessings.
I wish I had seen this article sooner!
With my first house, 20 years ago, I was able to paint it myself, room by room as I wanted a change. I have developed MCS, and so painting for myself was no longer an option. I was planning to only paint the walls (so there wouldn’t be as many chemicals) but the painter said the trim and ceilings really needed to be done as well. So pretty much almost everything was painted.
I used Benjamin Moore Eco Spec. We are almost a week post painting completion and it still really smells. (Unfortunately, after having a 40 degree April, the week I had painting done in May we had record breaking heat/humidity and all the windows were closed when the painters were actually here. I am looking at cancelling the mover, because I can’t stay in there with that smell. My lips start burning just from sticking my head in. How long will it take this paint to stop smelling???
Eco spec would not smell a week after painting, check for the following:
– paint feels sticky, didn’t dry called “blocking”
– rarely, a bad reaction between the new paint and old paint. only happens when a specialty paint was added
– trim and door paints are higher in offgassing, see if they used a high VOV paint there
– they didn’t actually use eco spec
Hi Corinne! I am in the middle of a mold remediation, and they used Sentinel 24/7 Zero Voc mold and mildew resistant paint for all the exposed framing. It is very strong, and I am sensitive to it. What are your thoughts on this product? Clearly it is not good for sensitive people, but I would like your thoughts on how hazardous it really is and if it will ever stop off gassing. Also, do you have a post on how to do a “Bake-Out” and does this really work to speed up off gassing? Thanks so much!
Corinne, Do you recommend a lab that will analyze paint composition? We had to take down and replace s wall that was painted with Ben Moore’s Natura where the smell from the paint was overwhelming and would not fade even with re-painting.
That would have been a problem with the application, either “blocking” or a bad reaction between Natura and what was on there before. Repainting won’t help that problem.
You rock!! Thanks for this helpful info. For re-painting a home (living room, dining room, hallways) that was painted 10 years ago, would you go with Farrow & Ball or ECOS? I have 2 small children and have chemical anxieties (not MCS) so what whatever will smell the least and be safest for my kiddos to be around long term. Planning to get them out of the house for at least a few days during the painting.
Also, I’m the event that I can’t find a painting company that’ll use these, how much “worse” are the Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore options? We painted with SW Harmony and few years ago and it smelled for weeks so not sure about that one…
Thank you so much!
Long term both ECOS and F&B are fine, there wouldn’t be any meaningful difference between them after a few days. I like Farrow and Ball if you were in the house with it while it’s wet.
Nice summary which I keep referring to.
It’s interesting that you like Aura even though it has isothiazolinone. Maybe you personally don’t have mold issues.
https://ecospaints.net/paints/eggshell-paint
Also, it looks like ECOS changed their formula because it doesn’t list pyrithione. Uness they really don’t list all their ingredients.
Thanks! Good to know. I was all set to go Ecos. (Not only am I mold sensitive and avoid mildewcides, I have cancer and want to avoid chemicls.) We had the whole house painted with Ecos primer at double the cost of normal primer and I honestly still didn’t feel great in there but of course they are sanding the drywall etc. Unfortunately the gallons I bought which were supposed to match BM colors did not match at all. I am out of time for sampling and not even in the same town as the build, so I’m about to switch to BM. I’m wondering if there’s much difference between Regal Select and Eco-Spec. Surprisingly the Eco-Spec is quite a bit LESS expensive. I expected the opposite. I won’t be moving in for months so the short term VOC’s aren’t so relevant, more the long term health effects.
Hi! I’d love to know what you think in terms of safety / sensitivity between Farrow & Ball Modern Emulsion vs. Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion formulations please? Thank you!
Great article. Thank you! I want to use one of the no VOC paints such as AFM SafeCoat. I called AFM SafeCoat and asked about the perm rating. They could not provide one. How can I be sure that the paint will not act as a vapor retarder/barrier and trap moisture in the wall?
AFM is not 0 VOC. The regular acrylic paints will all have a pretty similar perm rating of the average acrylic paint. I have a post on highly permeable paints if you need something with a higher perm rating. AFM transitional primer is the one that is less permeable than normal.
Do you know if SW EcoSpect has undisclosed fungicides? The SDS just says it doesn’t include ingredients not deemed to be hazardous, so I suspect it does.
How much of a concern is zinc pyrithione in ceiling paint, or wall paint behind a wardrobe? It’s listed in an otherwise ‘clean’ anti-mould paint from Lakeland here in the UK. We have good ventlation, etc, but want to avoid mould at all costs, so it’s a bit of a backup. But is it more of a concern to have zinc pyrithione?
Thank you for this information! I’d like to use a no VOC latex paint for a class III vapor retarder. How can I determine the permeability ratings of these paints?
Hi Corrine, Thank you for all this amazing research! So appreciated. In summer, I would likely use ECOS or Farrow & Ball, but I need to paint 1 small wall (about 7’x9′) now in winter in the room where I sleep. I can’t keep windows open too much during the day. In this case, would you think a mineral clay a better option than ECOS? Thanks!
Yes Farrow and Ball is more or less the same as the “clay paint” Bioshield. If you get a sample you can see if it’s good for you. The difference between F&B and ECOS is obvious when you see them.
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.
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
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.
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. 🙂
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?.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
They actually remade up a fake green testing logo to look like a 3re party company tested. Their products that isn’t a minor offense. That is out right manipulation and false. I read the legal info before they settled.
Yes for Natura paint. I’ve read it, it’s widely available online. My focus is on helping chemically sensitive folks. So if that’s a paint that sensitive people preferred and did better with, which it absolutely was for the time it was around, that’s the most important thing for me.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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?
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.
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.
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!!!
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!!!
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!
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.
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).
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?
Corinnesays
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.
Sherrysays
Hi, any recommendations for interior concrete primer?
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.
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.
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.
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.
I bought Dura Soy one coat paint back in September 2021. My huband painted the bathroom with their semi gloss paint and here it is January 1,2022 and I still cannot use the bathroom.. or leave the door open because of the terrible odor. True it does not effect my lungs or give me a headache like Sherwin Williams “zero voc ” paint. It still makes me sick. It’s throughly dried and cured, but the odor still persists. I called the company a month after the room was painted to complain of the ordor and was told he has never heard of any complaints and the room must be aired out.. Well I have the window opened 24/7 and the odor has dissipated some but not enough.
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?
Home and Office Professional Painters Perth WA says
Thank you for this very wonderful and helpful article about your non toxic wall paints. Very appreciated and a good reference in future plans.
Sage says
Wow I’m so glad to find this informative post!
I do see you mention which are best in terms of after days/ 2 weeks etc. I am wondering what is the very safest option WHILE painting? I’m hoping there is some completely non toxic option that is so safe that I can paint without wearing a mask and while my toddler is in the room. (I don’t have childcare and would like to be able to paint myself to save costs.) Do you think any of the mineral paints (or others) meet those standards?
Thanks so much again!
Corinne says
I have not seen any empirical info on that but I would say apart from all natural milk paint which is difficult to apply to walls, if you want something more standard, then Kiem mineral wall paint for the easiest most conventional application and look, second would be Bioshield which is a tad trickier to apply. I don’t know if they are officially safe for a toddler in the room you could ask the companies, I suspect they are. They are the best when wet. If they are not officially safe for a toddle then I would go with the all natural linseed paint.
Kyle Morris says
Corinne,
Can VOCs get trapped in a/c and/or air ducts?
Can VOCs be reabsorbed in your home?
Been dealing with the situation below for nearly 3 months. Any advice or direction?
I accidentally used a PPG oil based speedhide primer/sealer on dry wall and it made my home nearly unlivable. I immediately had a painted paint over it and he used a low voc latex with 2 coats. It was better for a week or so then offgassing came back. I then purchased AFT transitional primer and their zero voc flat paint. Did 3 coats of primer and 2 of top coat.
I still have a sensitivity and health reactions to the home. I have purchased air quality monitors and and environlenz air purifiers. But my VOCs continue to be consistently over 500 ppb.
Lara says
Hi Corinne, thanks so much for all of this helpful information. I noticed that you haven’t included Behr paint on this list and I was just wondering if there was a reason for that. Their paint and primer claims to be zero VOC and is Green Guard Gold certified but I’m wondering if it contains harmful ingredients that should be avoided? My restoration company used it in my kitchen after a flood remediation and I found there to be barely any deductible odour so I was considering using it for the rest of my house. I just wanted to check first in case it contains harmful ingredients that I should be avoiding. Thanks!
Mariane says
Hi Corinne,
We went ahead and purchased ecos for the whole house. We hired a handyman that is doing one room at a time. The first room he did he painted and the house was closed up. we came home and had to air out because I could smell it strong. But after that, every room the smell is barley there. I was just worried because I have a baby and two toddlers and we are usually in the house while he is painting. We might pass by him a few times or talk to him while he is working but we stay away of his area. We have had no symptoms of anything. But just wanted to check if this should be safe for baby and the kids?
Corinne says
It depends on the size of your house and the ventilation system. But generally I would leave when painting at least for the day. If you can’t leave I recommend Farrow and Ball as a better option to be around when wet.
Mariane says
Thank you for your reply. It is 1,800 square feet. But he is doing one room at a time. He already did two rooms and half of the hallway, we were gone most of the time but the last two days I stayed with baby in a different area. I will look into a another way. If he has been actively painting around the house and where I am I do not smell it, do you think it is an issue? Its hard to leave with three kids and nap times and all. I smelled the one room he did first day and now the second one because they are smaller space. When he painted one hallway wall I did not smell much at all. Hopefully no harm to baby at this point since we were already around the house.
Kevin McDonald says
I purchased enough Benjamin Moore Natura paint to paint my home before it was gone from the market. It has been carefully stored at room temperature since summer of 2021. This is when I learned I was in a sick house and had to remediate and sell. Flash forward to fall of 2022. I am looking for a safe home in a safe location. When it gets painted, I want to go with the safest option available. Would you in our experience say that it is worth leaning toward ordering and shipping the ECOS paint and having it shipped to me in Canada, or that you find that the Natura and ECOS are so similar that I should figure out a way to try the Natura first? All the money I have will be invested in buying a new home. I have to get this right the first time, as I have no where else to live if it doesn’t work. Any insights would be welcome, and please understand I am not asking you for anything other than your opinion on the matter. In the end, I have to make the choice. Thank you for your help.
Corinne says
I would do a test to make sure Natura is good for you. It’s similar to ECOS.
Lauren Edlund says
Our builder is wanting to use Sherwin Williams Emerald paint. What are your thoughts or reviews on this paint?
Corinne says
I haven’t tested that one but it is 0 VOC so should be good.
Shelley D Petit says
I got very sick from it…I had to live in my car for 3 months after using it. Previously I used B/M natura and after it was gone, this was recommended – I would avoid it
Corinne says
depends when you used it, it didn’t used to be 0 VOC
Jeff says
You seem to lean more towards ECOS brand primers and paints over AFM. I am interested in AFM’s VOC sealing ability in primer and paints for the entire interior of our new build. My contractor wouldn’t use dry mix mud and I went with the lowest VOC I could find. I would love to block whatever I could in the walls with the AFM primer, assuming it works as it says. Would AFM be better than ECOS for this?
Corinne says
AFM Transitional is definitely a better block but it’s also a partial vapor barrier which could cause condensation if you use AC inside and dew point is hit at that layer.
Vincent says
Hi Corinne,
What do you think about air purifying paints such as Airlite and Gush?
I haven’t been able to live in my house since we bought it 3 months ago, and I am hoping an air purifying paint would help.
Corinne says
They usually contain zeolite which can absorb a very small amount of VOCs (there is only a little in the paint). It’s not going to remediate an unlivable place.
Cici Malin says
Hi Corinne,
Why do you think Ecos is not Greenguard certified? In looking for natural house products I always wonder this when I find a product that seems good.
Thank you,
Cici
Corinne says
It’s unnecessary. VOC levels are and should be WAY below GGG levels. Every single water based paint is GGG levels. Transparency in ingredients like the Declare Lable is far more important.
Mary says
Having severe allergic reactions to semi-gloss paint on my walls I cannot repay I’m renting is there any kind of non VOC sealer that I can put over this or something that I can clean it with I get the chemicals to dissipate
Desperate
Melanie says
Hi Corinne,
Have you heard of Miller Paint? They are a smaller northwest company. They have a product called Acro Pure and was wondering how it measured up with ECOS and other paints that you have tested based on the SDS sheets.
Thank you!
Melanie
Corinne says
For acrylic paint it needs to be 0 VOC to make the list. AFM is the exception because they are one of the first low VOC brands that was made for the chemically sensitive, but they are not what I would use now.
Amy says
Hi Corrine!
I have what you might think is a completely off the wall question (no pun intended). But after being referred to your website and reading through a few articles, you may have some viable suggestions. I’m an artist with MCS. I’ve tried a number of different artists paints and the only ones I don’t react to are very expensive. I know, I know you’re thinking well it’s an expensive hobby, but there are a few brands out there that are highly pigmented at a reasonable price. Unfortunately those brands I react to. So now I’m researching house and furniture paints. Do you know if any of the paints you discussed would work on canvas? As long as it’s flexible it should work. But I would also like to find one that holds a brush stroke; something most house painters do not want. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Amy
Gabrielle says
Hi Corinne, Gabrielle again. I live in a condo with some ventilation issues. Sorry, thanks.
Gabrielle says
Hi Corinne, I love your web page, I just luckily stumble up on it, thank God. I want to paint my bedroom and closet, I have some mildew issues. what paint would you use that is zero VOC’s and is mildew resistant. Kind of a small town but I have Sherwin Williams, Behr, Valspar, Benjamin Moore, also Lowe’s and Home Depot. Please help. Now that I found you, I’m telling everyone and will keep reading your awesome advise. Blessings.
Corinne says
Correct the cause of the mold, remove all moldy materials, paint with normal interior paint.
Kathleen Connors says
I wish I had seen this article sooner!
With my first house, 20 years ago, I was able to paint it myself, room by room as I wanted a change. I have developed MCS, and so painting for myself was no longer an option. I was planning to only paint the walls (so there wouldn’t be as many chemicals) but the painter said the trim and ceilings really needed to be done as well. So pretty much almost everything was painted.
I used Benjamin Moore Eco Spec. We are almost a week post painting completion and it still really smells. (Unfortunately, after having a 40 degree April, the week I had painting done in May we had record breaking heat/humidity and all the windows were closed when the painters were actually here. I am looking at cancelling the mover, because I can’t stay in there with that smell. My lips start burning just from sticking my head in. How long will it take this paint to stop smelling???
Corinne says
Eco spec would not smell a week after painting, check for the following:
– paint feels sticky, didn’t dry called “blocking”
– rarely, a bad reaction between the new paint and old paint. only happens when a specialty paint was added
– trim and door paints are higher in offgassing, see if they used a high VOV paint there
– they didn’t actually use eco spec
Brooke says
Hi Corinne! I am in the middle of a mold remediation, and they used Sentinel 24/7 Zero Voc mold and mildew resistant paint for all the exposed framing. It is very strong, and I am sensitive to it. What are your thoughts on this product? Clearly it is not good for sensitive people, but I would like your thoughts on how hazardous it really is and if it will ever stop off gassing. Also, do you have a post on how to do a “Bake-Out” and does this really work to speed up off gassing? Thanks so much!
CSue says
That’s interesting. I know several mold remediators for mold-sensitive and chemically sensitive people who say this doesn’t usually bother people.
Hillel Abrams says
Corinne, Do you recommend a lab that will analyze paint composition? We had to take down and replace s wall that was painted with Ben Moore’s Natura where the smell from the paint was overwhelming and would not fade even with re-painting.
Corinne says
That would have been a problem with the application, either “blocking” or a bad reaction between Natura and what was on there before. Repainting won’t help that problem.
Julie W says
You rock!! Thanks for this helpful info. For re-painting a home (living room, dining room, hallways) that was painted 10 years ago, would you go with Farrow & Ball or ECOS? I have 2 small children and have chemical anxieties (not MCS) so what whatever will smell the least and be safest for my kiddos to be around long term. Planning to get them out of the house for at least a few days during the painting.
Also, I’m the event that I can’t find a painting company that’ll use these, how much “worse” are the Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore options? We painted with SW Harmony and few years ago and it smelled for weeks so not sure about that one…
Thank you so much!
Corinne says
Long term both ECOS and F&B are fine, there wouldn’t be any meaningful difference between them after a few days. I like Farrow and Ball if you were in the house with it while it’s wet.
CSue says
Nice summary which I keep referring to.
It’s interesting that you like Aura even though it has isothiazolinone. Maybe you personally don’t have mold issues.
CSue says
https://ecospaints.net/paints/eggshell-paint
Also, it looks like ECOS changed their formula because it doesn’t list pyrithione. Uness they really don’t list all their ingredients.
Corinne says
Pyrithione is still on the Declare Label.
CSue says
What do you mean by the Declare Label? How does that compare to an SDS? It’s not on the SDS for eggshell, for example. Maybe a different sheen?
Corinne says
Declare label lists all or almost all ingredients. It’s more complete than an SDS.
CSue says
What do you mean by the Declare Label? How does that compare to an SDS? It’s not on the SDS for eggshell, for example. Maybe a different sheen?
Corinne says
Almost all paint has isothiazolinone, having followed extreme mold avoiders for 10 years I have not seen people have a problem with that.
CSue says
Thanks! Good to know. I was all set to go Ecos. (Not only am I mold sensitive and avoid mildewcides, I have cancer and want to avoid chemicls.) We had the whole house painted with Ecos primer at double the cost of normal primer and I honestly still didn’t feel great in there but of course they are sanding the drywall etc. Unfortunately the gallons I bought which were supposed to match BM colors did not match at all. I am out of time for sampling and not even in the same town as the build, so I’m about to switch to BM. I’m wondering if there’s much difference between Regal Select and Eco-Spec. Surprisingly the Eco-Spec is quite a bit LESS expensive. I expected the opposite. I won’t be moving in for months so the short term VOC’s aren’t so relevant, more the long term health effects.
Corinne says
Eco spec is not a high quality paint, it’s not usually used in homes that are not rentals being painted every year.
Ali says
Hi! I’d love to know what you think in terms of safety / sensitivity between Farrow & Ball Modern Emulsion vs. Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion formulations please? Thank you!
Corinne says
Higher gloss is almost always higher odor when wet. I have only seen estate emulsion.
Jen says
Great article. Thank you! I want to use one of the no VOC paints such as AFM SafeCoat. I called AFM SafeCoat and asked about the perm rating. They could not provide one. How can I be sure that the paint will not act as a vapor retarder/barrier and trap moisture in the wall?
Corinne says
AFM is not 0 VOC. The regular acrylic paints will all have a pretty similar perm rating of the average acrylic paint. I have a post on highly permeable paints if you need something with a higher perm rating. AFM transitional primer is the one that is less permeable than normal.
Jen says
Thank you. What is the perm rating for a typical latex or acrylic paint?
Jen says
Ah – just found it when I reread one of your posts!
CSue says
Do you know if SW EcoSpect has undisclosed fungicides? The SDS just says it doesn’t include ingredients not deemed to be hazardous, so I suspect it does.
Lauren says
How much of a concern is zinc pyrithione in ceiling paint, or wall paint behind a wardrobe? It’s listed in an otherwise ‘clean’ anti-mould paint from Lakeland here in the UK. We have good ventlation, etc, but want to avoid mould at all costs, so it’s a bit of a backup. But is it more of a concern to have zinc pyrithione?
Corinne says
All acrylic paint has a preservative. That one is the best one we have right now.
Jennifer says
Thank you for this information! I’d like to use a no VOC latex paint for a class III vapor retarder. How can I determine the permeability ratings of these paints?
Laurie Tumer says
Hi Corrine, Thank you for all this amazing research! So appreciated. In summer, I would likely use ECOS or Farrow & Ball, but I need to paint 1 small wall (about 7’x9′) now in winter in the room where I sleep. I can’t keep windows open too much during the day. In this case, would you think a mineral clay a better option than ECOS? Thanks!
Corinne says
Yes Farrow and Ball is more or less the same as the “clay paint” Bioshield. If you get a sample you can see if it’s good for you. The difference between F&B and ECOS is obvious when you see them.
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?
CSue says
The concern over them is that they make mold more toxic for people who are mold sensitive.
Corinne says
I would not say that is the concern with the preservatives in paint. It’s the preservatives themselves that are often redlist chemicals.
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.
L says
They actually remade up a fake green testing logo to look like a 3re party company tested. Their products that isn’t a minor offense. That is out right manipulation and false. I read the legal info before they settled.
Corinne says
Yes for Natura paint. I’ve read it, it’s widely available online. My focus is on helping chemically sensitive folks. So if that’s a paint that sensitive people preferred and did better with, which it absolutely was for the time it was around, that’s the most important thing for me.
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!
Monica Clark says
I bought Dura Soy one coat paint back in September 2021. My huband painted the bathroom with their semi gloss paint and here it is January 1,2022 and I still cannot use the bathroom.. or leave the door open because of the terrible odor. True it does not effect my lungs or give me a headache like Sherwin Williams “zero voc ” paint. It still makes me sick. It’s throughly dried and cured, but the odor still persists. I called the company a month after the room was painted to complain of the ordor and was told he has never heard of any complaints and the room must be aired out.. Well I have the window opened 24/7 and the odor has dissipated some but not enough.
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?