Non-Toxic Spray Paint Buying Guide (Low-Odor & Water-Based Brands)

Summary:

What to look for in a non-toxic spray paint:

• A water-based formula is the least toxic option.
• Water and ethanol formula can also be great since alcohol flashes off fast, just be sure not to inhale it.
• Very few spray paints have a completely inert gas propellant. DME and propane are common and therefore rather unavoidable. I only saw one paint with nitrogen or carbon dioxide as the propellant.
• If you must go with a solvent-based paint, look for options that are heavy in acetone and light in aromatic petroleum solvents.
• If you go with one of the conventional solvent-based spray paints I tested, I would recommend applying it outside and waiting for the full cure time that I mention in the post before bringing it inside for use by sensitive folks, babies, kids, or pets.
• Also consider the use of a zero-VOC spray applied (non-aerosol) paint in this article (no propellants and no VOCs).

This article contains affiliate links, upon purchase I earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Spray Paint Types

Resin Type

Spray paint resins include acrylic (also called latex), polyurethane, alkyd (enamel), and nitrocellulose.

In my experience acrylic resin water-based paint has been the lowest in odor, though I don’t discount the other options, especially if you need something durable.

Solvent Type

Spray paint comes in three bases: solvent-based, water-based or a hybrid of water and ethanol.

Ethanol is overall a much safer solvent than those used in heavy petroleum solvent-based paints. While inhaling concentrated fumes can cause irritation, it evaporates very fast, says Dr. Mudgal.

Water-based spray paints are slower to dry, and less durable, but less toxic. They are lower odor and are safe to use inside. Many are safe for kids to use for small projects.

You will want to check if your project requires a primer or even a top coat over your water-based spray paint to be durable.

Solvent-based spray paints are more durable, and can usually stick to a wider variety of surfaces, they dry very fast but are certainly much more toxic when wet and take days or weeks to fully cure and stop off-gassing.

Solvents can include heavy aromatic solvents, which are quite harsh at first. Other solvents like acetone are preferred, partially because of how fast that one flashes off. On the other hand, acetone is an exempt VOC, it won’t be counted on the total VOC content.

I do list the VOC content when the company provides it, but it’s hardly useful in determining the safest aerosol spray paint, why:

• Ethanol has a high VOC count even though it evaporates extremely fast (perhaps 20 minutes at most).
• Acetone is not counted as a VOC, but also off-gasses quickly.
• The propellant can add to the VOC level even though it comes out in gas form, not liquid, so is also fairly fast to disperse.
• Almost all spray paints are in the 400-600 g/l range.

Environmental and Health Concerns with the Gas/Propellant Added to Cans.

Almost all aerosol cans contain propellants that are not a risk to the ozone layer.

Common Propellants:

Dimethyl ether (DME) is the most common propellant that I saw listed in spray paints. DME is a biofuel, it can be used as the sole propellant or it can be found mixed with hydrocarbon propellants.

DME is compatible with water, so it was found in almost all of the water-based spray paints that I looked at.

DME is often considered less toxic than other propellants like butane or propane, though it still has some hazards with short-term exposure (like irritation), say Dr. Mudgal.

It’s known for its faint ether-like odor, and it does not harm the ozone layer.

Hydrocarbon propellants include propane, butane, and pentane, which are flammable and can displace oxygen in enclosed spaces, though they are not directly toxic in typical spray can concentrations, says Dr. Mudgal.

Compressed gasses are used in about 10% of today’s aerosols says one source.

Benign gases like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and nitrogen can be used as propellants. I only saw one paint that used one of these more benign gases.

Why Does Spray Paint Contain a Prop 65 Warning?

The California Prop 65 warning is found on almost all spray paint cans.

In some cases, this is only a warning on the pigments like titanium dioxide and carbon black are listed as potential carcinogens under Prop 65 but are considered safe when in their solid form (as part of the finished paint).

The risk primarily occurs when they are in a fine dust form and are inhaled.

For solid paint, it’s unlikely that exposure would pose a significant risk unless it’s being sanded or disturbed, says Dr. Mudgal.

Be sure to use proper PPE when spraying.

Two other compounds sometimes found in spray paint that are Prop 65 chemicals are benzene and toluene, due to their carcinogenic or reproductive harm risks.

Most modern paints use these solvents in minimal amounts or have substituted safer alternatives.

To mitigate against the effects of solvents, again, use the appropriate PPE, apply the spray paint outside, and bring the item in only after it has off-gassed, says Dr. Mudgal.

Top Picks: Non-Toxic Water-Based Spray Paints

Water-based spray paints are lower odor, low-fume, and safe to use indoors.

They are slower drying than solvent-based spray paints.

You do tend to see reviews talking about the cans being finicky, be sure to carefully follow the instructions for use, as it differs slightly from solvent-based paints.

If you are sensitive to chemicals or you are painting something for a baby, child, or animal, a water-based formula is the best option.

You still need to wear proper PPE when spraying them, be sure to follow their directions.

1. Pintyplus Water-Based Spray Paints

Aqua Spray Paint (For Crafting)

This is a water-based, low-VOC, low odor, acrylic spray paint. It’s perfect for indoor arts and crafts, especially for kids.

While some people find Pinty Plus Aqua odorless, lots of people have described the odor as minimal.

It’s safe to use this spray paint indoors.

It has an ultra-matte look.

DME looks to be the main propellant (45-55%), followed by Propan-2-ol (10-25%), with xylene listed at less than 2%. While xylene is under Prop 65 for reproductive risks, it’s present in minimal quantities here.

VOCs at 620 g/l on the matte.

Uses: Decorating small objects in the home, arts and crafts, stenciling, and scrapbooking.

Substrates: Paper, cardboard, wood, rope, natural fibers, cork, canvas, stone, cement, plaster, metal (including carbon steel and stainless steel), methacrylate, polystyrene, and balloons.

Over plastic and glass then recommend using their primer Pintyplus Tech.

Where to use: Interior and exterior.

Clean up: Soap and water.

Colors: 6 pastel colors plus black & white.

Reviews: They have some good reviews but because it’s a water-based spray paint it’s not surprising to find a couple of reviews saying it’s finicky.

Where to buy (US): Amazon

• Where to buy in the UK: Amazon.co.uk or through the Pinty Plus UK store

Prop 65 warning, not clear for which chemical.

Pinty Plus Chalk Finish

If you want a water-based aerosol chalk paint, this is the safest one to go with.

Other big brands of spray chalk paints like those by Rust-Oleum and Krylon are solvent-based, so Pinty Plus Chalk Finish water-based paint is unique.

Uses: Smaller projects like crafts as well as furniture.

Substrates: Wood, melamine, canvas, iron, plastic, cardboard, and even glass. No aggressive solvents mean it’s safe for use on expanded polystyrene.

If you want to paint on plastic they recommend you use Pintyplus Tech plastic primer.

If a layer of varnish is needed, they have a water-based Varnish Pintyplus for over the chalk paint.

Works well for a distressed look.

Where to use: Indoors and outdoors.

Clean up: Soap and water.

Colors: 17 colors – neutrals and pastels.

Prop 65 warning for four chemicals: titanium dioxide, ethylbenzene, and two undisclosed ingredients.

Where to buy (US): Amazon, and Lowes

Pinty Plus Evolution

For beyond crafts, this water-based acrylic spray paint is more durable than the brand’s other lines.

Pintyplus Evolution water-based acrylic spray paint is marketed as an environmentally friendly general-purpose spray paint.

It’s very low odor during spraying and once dry it has no odor.

It’s an extra-quick drying acrylic spray paint. Total drying is 15 minutes, you can repaint after 5 minutes.

It has a heat resistance of 100 ºC, so it can be used as a radiator paint (more info on that here). It can also be used on toys since it’s certified Toy Safe EN-71 (Europe) and ASTM F963 – 17 (US).

To paint on porous surfaces, they recommend Pintyplus Evolution Water Based Primer. On previously painted surfaces, the surface should be sanded to provide adhesion.

Uses: Industrial equipment, pipes, or engineering pieces, to decorative objects such as toys, chairs, benches, garden tables, or even chandeliers.

Substrates: Wood, stone, some plastics, MDF, veneers, glass, clay, ceramics, paper, natural fibers, rubber, cork, textiles, and most metals.

Where to use: Indoors and outdoors.

Clean up: Soap and water.

Colors: 24 bright, muted, and neutral colors.

There is a Prop 65 warning for two compounds that are trade secrets.

Where to Buy (US): Amazon and Walmart

Pinty Plus HOME

Pinty Plus HOME is designed for indoor-only, larger-sized home decor projects. It has a matte finish.

Formulated with water-based resins, Pinty Plus HOME is very low in odor.

Uses: medium-sized sections of walls, doors, windows, and as well as common pieces of furniture like cabinets, sideboards, cupboards, headboards, tables, or chairs; decorative objects of all types like clay figures, frames, vases or even textiles such as small carpets or decorative pillows.

Not for distressing, see the chalk finish above for a distressed look.

Substrates: Wood in general, MDF, chipboard panels, wood veneers; glass, clay, ceramics, and tiles (with Pintyplus Universal Primer); paper, cardboard, or paper-faced foam board, rubber, cork, and foams in general, Styrofoam, etc.; fibers like bamboo, hemp, etc.; felt; methacrylate and polycarbonate; metals (except aluminum); hard plastics, rigid-transparent-flexible PVC (with Pintyplus Plastic Primer); soft plastic, nets, and bags made of polyethylene, cellular polypropylene and styrofoam (expanded polystyrene).

Textiles such as wool, linen, or cotton, felt, though it is not intended to be used on clothing that will be washed or flexed frequently.

The ideal paint for wood, rope, methacrylate, cork, styrofoam, carbon, and stainless steel.

Where to use: Indoors.

Clean up: Soap and water.

Colors: 21 muted colors plus a metallic brass color.

Prop 65 warning for four chemicals, titanium dioxide, ethylbenzene, and two undisclosed ingredients.

Where to buy (US): Home Depot and Lowes

2. Liquitex Water-Based Spray Paint (Fine Art Paint)

This is a high-quality water/alcohol-based formula for fine artists with a matte finish.

Liquitex comes in traditional artist colors and is compatible with the brand’s other acrylic paints and mediums. It’s low-odor and less toxic than most solvent-based spray paints. This is my top pick for artists.

This looks very similar to the Ironlak Sugar, in that it is water and ethanol-based (ethanol is drinking alcohol). For this reason, they describe it as “solvent light”, since ethanol is a solvent. This is certainly much safer than spray paints made with petroleum solvents.

The solvents listed on the SDS include ethyl alcohol aka ethanol 18-27%, dimethyl ether, the propellant (10-30%), and acetone (0.1-3.5), with a few other solvents at less than 1%.

Uses: Murals, stenciling, underpainting, painting sculpture, collage & mixed media.

Substrates: Stretched canvas, cardboard, glass, wood, masonry, brick, ceramics, and styrofoam.

Where to use: Can be used indoors for art studio use and outdoors. Once dry it is permanent and water-resistant.

Clean up: Soap and water.

Colors: 100 artist colors including gold, silver, and some fluorescents.

Reviews: Reviews state that the odor is very mild.

There is a Prop 65 warning on the Walmart listing, the company has not said what chemicals that warning is for.

Where to buy (US): Walmart, Blick’s, and Amazon

• Where to buy Canada: Amazon.ca
• Where to buy Australia: Eckersley’s
• Where to buy UK: UK Art Supply Stores

3. Montana Colors Water-Based Spray Paint

This is a professional quality polyurethane paint for murals and crafts. It’s water-soluble, odorless (they say, though it will have an alcohol smell), and leaves a matte finish.

Montana Colors is a polyurethane-based paint as opposed to the usual acrylic-based options. It’s also a water-alcohol-based hybrid. You will have a polyurethane paint smell and alcohol odor (which off-gasses quickly).

The propellant is dimethyl ether DME, it also contains 10-25% ethanol.

The VOCs are listed as 525-460 g/l depending on the color.

Uses: Fine arts, graffiti art, DIY projects, crafts, stencil art, industrial, home decor.

Substrates: Metals including iron and steel, many plastics, glass, wood, terracotta, directly on expanded polystyrene. On plastic, a primer may be necessary.

Where to use: Indoors and outdoors. It has good resistance to outdoor conditions once dry (water-resistant, not waterproof).

Clean up: With soap and water.

Colors: 96 colors including bright colors, muted colors, neutrals, fluorescent colors, gold, and silver.

Reviews: Similar reviews to the other water-based spray paints. Artists and crafters do like it. It has the usual drawbacks of any water-based spray paint. The tiny cans are great for small crafts but it’s also good quality for use on wall murals. Some complaints about the black and white colors for murals.

This would contain a Prop 65 warning in the US for titanium dioxide.

Where to buy (US): Amazon and Blick’s

• Where to buy New Zealand: All City NZ

4. Evolve Agua Water-Based Spray Paint

New on the market, this water-based spray paint is marketed as odorless & eco-friendly. It’s intended for both indoor & outdoor use and comes in vibrant colors with a flat finish.

Evolve Agua is certainly the most affordable option on this list at $8 a can including shipping. While marketed as odorless, some people may be able to pick up a faint odor.

Uses: Graffiti and street art, DIY and craft projects, indoor projects, studio work, murals, canvas work, sculptures, kid and school projects, and outdoor projects.

Where to use: Indoor and outdoor.

Clean up: Soap and water.

Colors: 30 bright colors plus white (no black).

Reviews: Some good reviews including people saying it’s low odor. Like with all water-based spray paints there are complaints about the spray capacity.

Where to buy (US): Amazon

5. Simply Spray Upholstery Fabric Paint

This is a permanent fabric spray paint/dye that is non-toxic and non-flammable and is safe for use by children and adults. It’s the only one on the list with a safer propellant.

Designer Accents Fabric Paint Spray Dye by Simply Spray is the new version of Simply Spray Upholstery Spray Paint.

The spray dye is applied like a spray paint. It soaks into the fabric and leaves it with the original texture.

They say the propellant is the same one used with food products like canned cheese – so nitrogen, or carbon dioxide, I would presume.

You may find the paint has a faint paint odor if you are using a large quantity indoors. If you have sensitivities, you should use the product in a ventilated area to be on the safe side, they say.

Uses: Furniture: couches, recliners, loveseats, indoor and outdoor cushions, chairs, office furniture; Textiles: carpets, pillows, clothes, linens; Outdoors on cushions, hammocks, upholstered furniture, umbrellas, patio furniture, and automotive cloth interiors.

Substrates: Works on natural absorbent textiles. It does not work on vinyl, plastic, or polyester. The fabric must be able to absorb water.

Where to use: Indoors and outdoors.

Clean up: Soap and Water.

Colors: 9 colors.

Where to buy (US): Amazon

Honorable Mentions from Europe:

Molotow Spray Paints are more readily available in Europe than in North America. Their CoversAll is a German-made water-based spray paint. It’s a nitro-alkyd-based paint (nitrocellulose and alkyd resin), except for the pure black which is acrylic. It’s very low odor. The SDS lists MDE as the propellant as well as ethanol (i.e. it’s a water and alcohol hybrid) with the VOCs at <840g/l. Uses: Murals, craft projects, automotive work, and furniture modification. Substrates: Nearly all substrates including wood, metal, concrete, glass, etc.

Molotow One4All line is a high-quality acrylic dispersion. Water makes up approximately 85% of the total paint volume, and the only solvents are those used for the propellant. They describe the paint as opaque, almost odor-free, and highly adhesive.

Next Best: Lower-Odor Solvent-Based Spray Paint

Solvent-based spray paints are more toxic than water-based options.

I would go for options with safer solvents – heavy in acetone and light in aromatic petroleum solvents, or look for faster drying solvents.

Or follow the guidelines below on setting aside the item for the full curing/off-gassing time.

Be sure to up your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) here to the full recommendations and only spray these outside.

Given the potential risks from solvents and propellants, it’s a good idea to keep children away from spray paint activities unless closely supervised. Once the paint is fully cured and off-gassed, it can be safe for use in kids’ rooms or for items in those environments, says Dr. Mudgal.

1. Loop Colors Graffiti Spray Paint (Less Toxic Solvents)

This 100% acrylic, fast-drying spray paint, is free of aromatic compounds (made with safer solvents). It’s marketed for graffiti, murals, and other spray painting projects for artists.

The solvents contained are free of aromatic compounds like xylene, benzene, and toluene. (Benzene and toluene are Prop 65 chemicals).

The primary solvents listed are: hydrocarbons C3-C4 (propane, butane, isobutane), and acetone. It also lists ethyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, and 2-methoxy-1-methylethyl acetate.

None of those solvents are Prop 65 chemicals. In this sense, it is possible to say that this is less toxic than some other options.

Though listing it as low or lower VOC, which I saw in some listings, is rather confusing.

The actual VOC levels of 615 g/l is standard (and by no means low). Acetone is actually an exempt VOC because it doesn’t contribute to smog, so it’s not reflected in the total VOC count. (Though acetone does flash off quickly, so that is good).

I even have seen it described as odor-free and non-toxic, I would not go that far personally. But I was not able to personally test this brand so it might be worth trying it to check for speed of off-gassing.

If you want a paint that is super durable for exterior murals, and you don’t mind wearing full PPE protection because of the solvents then you could consider this.

Uses: DIY projects, murals, canvas, street art, graffiti, stencils, or any other crafting. Compatible with all surface types and most paint brands.

Colors: 197 colors to choose from – bright colors, muted colors, black, white, transparent colors, and fluorescent colors.

Where to buy (US): Amazon and Blick’s

• Where to buy Canada: The Paint Spot
• Where to Buy UK: Calder Art Supply

2. Rust-Oleum Spray Paints (Low-Odor Options)

Rust-Oleum does not have any water-based spray paints so I tested out their most popular spray paints to see how quickly they off-gassed the VOCs and became odorless.

Rust-Oleum has said that the Universal line which includes Spray matte, Metallic, and Stops Rust Protective Enamel (which is the same as the Premium Metal Protection I tested in Silver) all take 7-10 days to cure.

At 10 days I would have no problem bringing in any of these 4 options that I tested. For those who are very sensitive to chemicals, I have some more detailed off-gassing times below.

Out of the four I tested, at 12 hours, Metallic in Gold was the strongest, followed by UltraCover in Red, then Premium Metal Protection in Silver, (which is called Stops Rust Protective Enamel in the US), and lastly Chalked in pink had the least amount of solvent odor at that time.

I would not say they are odorless or toxin-free when dry.

What day each of these became odorless to me:

• At 8 days Premium Metal Protection in Silver (which is called Stops Rust Protective Enamel in the US) was very close to odorless. It was the only one that seemed 100% odorless and off-gassed at around one month‘s time.
• Metallic in Gold was only slightly behind the Silver at 8 days but it didn’t reach 100% odorless as fast.
• At 14 days Rust-oleum Metallic in Gold and UltraCover in Red were virtually odorless to me.
• Chalked in pink was getting close to odorless at 4-5 weeks (to my nose).

I would not use any of these products indoors myself.

If the item is for indoor use I would spray it outside with full PPE leave it outside or in a garage to air out and then bring it inside.

The Paints:

• Rust-Oleum Specialty Metallic Sprays – It’s a solvent-based acrylic resin paint. The main solvents are acetone, toluene, and n-butane in equal parts (10-25%). The propellant appears to be propane. The Prop 65 warning is for toluene and possibly more. It’s a fast-drying formula.
• Painter’s Touch 2x Ultra Cover is a modified alkyd paint, the main solvents are acetone (up to 50%), naptha, mineral spirits, xylene, n-butyl acetate. The propellant appears to be propane. The VOCs are listed as 553 g/l. There is a Prop 65 for at least ethylbenzene and titanium dioxide.
• Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte is an ultra-matte chalk finish acrylic-modified alkyd paint. Acetone is the primary solvent at up to 50%, followed by mineral spirits and naptha. Propane looks to be the propellant.
• Stops Rust Protective Enamel (US name, aka Premium Metal Protection in other parts of the worls), which is part of their Universal line, is an oil-modified alkyd. The main solvents are acetone (up to 25%), N-butyl acetate, and aromatic hydrocarbons. There is a Prop 65 for at least ethylbenzene and titanium dioxide. The propellant appears to be propane.

There is a Prop 65 for at least ethylbenzene and titanium dioxide.

Where to Buy Rustoleum Spray Paints (US): Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes

• Where to buy Canada: Amazon.ca, Home Depot, Lowes
• Where to buy Australia: Bunnings

3. Krylon

Krylon no longer makes any water-based spray paint, all of their spray paints are solvent-based.

The company has made it a priority to reduce the amount of solvent used in its paint formulations, they say.

They recommended that I take a look at Krylon Iron Guard as a less toxic option.

Krylon now uses sustainable raw materials such as soy oil in many of its spray paints.

Krylon Iron Guard is an acrylic latex enamel. It contains dimethyl ether as a propellant and ethylene glycol butyl ether as a solvent, which are less toxic than many other solvents in spray paints, but it still contains chemicals that can pose risks, says Dr. Mudgal.

It definitely could be worth testing.

Uses/Substrates: For metal, most plastics, plastic foams, wood, masonry, plaster.

Colors: 7 bright colors, 9 neutrals including black and white.

Clean up: Soap and water while wet, mineral spirits if not cleaned up right away.

Where to buy (US): Amazon (with a business account)

Non-Toxic (0-VOC) Alternatives to Spray Paint

These paints can be used as the best non-aerosol alternatives to canned spray paint.

Biodegradable Spray Paint

The only types of spray paint that can come in a biodegradable formula are “marking paint” spray paints. They are used to mark lines on the ground.

Marking paint can be used in construction areas, landscape design, excavation sites, traffic safety, DOT sites, athletic sites, survey crews, utility lines, buried cables, and much more. They may be used on asphalt, concrete, gravel, dirt, and grass.

It washes away in 2-8 weeks and some brands like this Rainbow Marking Paint are biodegradable.

Food-Safe Spray Paint

See my article on food grade spray paints or food grade paints.

Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.