My Chemical-Free House

A Guide to Creating a Healthy Home

Healthy exteriors/gardens

Non-Toxic Wood Glues & White Glues (0-VOC & Natural)

by Leave a Comment

This article goes over the best non-toxic wood glues, carpenter glues, yellow glues, and white glues. The options range from synthetics that are zero-VOC to totally natural options.

There will probably be some unique non-toxic options you haven’t considered!

I compared the odor level of many of these glues when I was extremely chemically sensitive (many years ago). This data has been helpful over the years to others who are chemically sensitive as it has served as a kind of benchmark. I have also used the general consensus from sensitive folks from my work over the last 10 years on preferred types and brands.

Sensitive folks should usually test products when dry/cured since there can be a dramatic difference between how tolerable something is wet and when cured.

This post contains affiliate links. Upon purchase, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

First a review of the glue types and what they typically contain.

1. PVA (Polyvinyl Acetate) Wood Glue

PVAs are the most common type of traditional wood glue. They are one type of “aliphatic resin”. They provide a strong bond with wood but not to other materials like metal or plastics. The wood must be clamped and if there is a lot of pressure on it it can fail over time. It’s generally the weakest of the wood glues. Elmer’s White Glue a basic PVA glue is effective on paper but not strong enough for wood. Yellow wood glues are also PVA-based but are stronger and have better water resistance. PVA glues are not waterproof, though there are modified PVA glues which are more water resistant like Titebond II Premium, and Titebond III that I will go over. PVA glues also don’t take stain.

What’s in it

PVA glues contain a plasticizer, and orthophthalates are still used in some PVA adhesives (Pharos). A typical ingredient list for a PVA wood glue looks like this (according to Pharos): Polyvinyl acetate, 2,2,4-Trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate, talc, aluminum chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, Dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, Quaternium-15.

2. Polyurethane Wood Glue

One of the plus sides of polyurethane glue is that it’s waterproof. It is a one-part adhesive that will adhere to wood, metals, stone, ceramics and many plastics. It accepts wood stains. Often advertised as stronger than PVA-based wood glues, “Dale Zimmerman, a technical specialist with Franklin International, which manufactures Titebond Polyurethane Glue, says that his company’s tests don’t show that polyurethane glue is any stronger than yellow glue” (source). However, end grain joints will be stronger with polyurethane glue (source).

What’s in it

Polyurethane glue offgasses more than the other two types and is not considered non-toxic when wet. Solvents like denatured alcohol are used for cleanup. Gorilla Glue lists almost all ingredients for their Original formula except one small additive. The ingredients are: Polyisocyanate Prepolymer based on MDI, Polymeric Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate (pMDI), 4,4′-Diphenylmethane diisocyanate, Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate (MDI) Mixed Isomers (source).

3. Hide glue

Hide glue offers the same strength and rack resistance as synthetic carpenter yellow, white and polyurethane glues. Though it’s not waterproof, if it gets wet or too moist it will cause it to come apart. This glue has been used for thousands of years and it’s still used to make cabinets, instruments and furniture.

What’s in it

You can mix it yourself for a totally pure and non-toxic option or you can buy the ready mix kind which includes an additive like ammonium thiocyanate.

Top Non-Toxic Wood Glue Brands

1. Elmer’s Wood Glue

Elmer’s Wood Glue is a brand that many chemically sensitive like.

This is a PVA-based glue, with a mild acetic odor until it’s cured. PVA glues are some of the most benign. Though at my most sensitive I did not do well with this when it was wet.

It bonds stronger than wood they say and is paintable and sandable. It’s water-resistant and intended for furniture repair and general household projects.

Carried at hardware stores and on Amazon.

2. ECOS Wood Glue

ECOS makes extremely low-toxic products, and while I didn’t get a chance to test this one, I would expect their 0-VOC Wood Glue to be good.

The ingredients are acrylic polymer, ethylene oxide urethane, vinyl acetate, lye, and hydrogen peroxide.

Wood Glue is a strong-bonding glue ideal for interior woodwork, joinery, wooden floor tiles, laminates, floorboards, cork sheeting and tiles. It can also be used for paper, card, carpet, fabric, unsealed chipboard, hardboard, cement-screed and concrete substrates. Not suitable for teak or other oily woods or asphalt-sealed surfaces.

Buy through ECOS Paints.

3. Roo Glue 

A bottle of Roo Glue wood glue on a plank of wood

Roo Glue makes white glue and wood glue. I tested their glues when I was at my most sensitive and they seemed totally benign when dry. It was one of my top picks at that time (about 10 years ago).

The severely sensitive might want to test out this brand even though it’s special order. Otherwise, stick to ECOS or Titebond wood glue.

Roo Wood is an aliphatic PVA glue that excels in tack and cure time. It is ideal for interior applications where a longer open time and quick de-clamp period are desired. Bond strength is superior to name brand competition, they say. It has excellent heat resistance and good sandability properties. Roo Wood is available in both yellow and clear drying formulas.

Roo Wood is intended for interior use only.

Available in the US and it ships to Canada from their website.

4. Titebond

Titebond is a brand that is often recommended for chemically sensitive folks as a safe adhesive. I had already picked Roo Glue for my chemical-free house before I got a chance to test it. My sofa was later made with this and it worked out well for me. I received it after it had cured.

Titebond III

Titebond III technically has the lowest VOC level of the three Titebond wood glues. It comes in at a minuscule 0.0105 g/L VOC. It does say it has a slight characteristic glue odor.

Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue is a one-part, water cleanup wood glue that is waterproof (ANSI/HPVA Type I water-resistance specification). It provides strong initial tack, sands easily without softening and is FDA approved for indirect food contact (like for cutting boards). This is ideal for both interior and exterior applications. The type of polymer is listed as proprietary, though Cottage Life lists it as a modified PVA.

Titebond II

Titebond II is water-resistant and is ideal for exterior woodworking projects, including outdoor furniture, birdhouses, mailboxes, planters and picnic tables. It is also FDA-approved for indirect food contact. It’s a PVA glue with VOCs at 3 g/l. Cottage Life lists this as a modified PVA.

Titebond Original

Titebond Original Wood Glue develops a bond stronger than the wood itself, says the company. It offers excellent sandability and is unaffected by finishes. It is ideal for wood, hardboard, particleboard, leather, cloth and most other porous materials. VOCs are 3 g/l and the resin type is listed as “aliphatic resin emulsion”, common aliphatic resins include polyvinyl acetates, acrylics, and vinyl acrylics. Other websites list this as a PVA glue.

It’s inexpensive and easy to order from Amazon and find in stores like Home Depot.

5. Hide Glue

Hide Glue is the most natural glue option for wood. It’s made from animal protein from the collagen that comes from skins, bones, tendons, and other tissues.

It is a strong, sandable glue with no VOCs, but it is not waterproof.

You can mix it yourself from beads or flakes for the most natural option, or you can buy it ready-made, though those do contain some additives.

The Titebond brand of genuine hide glue is a ready-made option that lists ammonium thiocyanate as an additive.

For the most natural non-toxic wood glue possible, this is the top choice. If you don’t need a waterproof adhesive and are not vegan, this is the best option.

You can buy it on Amazon.

6. Pine Pitch Glue

Another all-natural (but not commonly used) option is Pine Pitch Glue which is made of pine sap, plant fibers, and charcoal. While it’s mostly used for traditional crafts I did recently see it as a glue used in children’s toys which led me to add it to this list.

Its applications can include attaching and hafting stone projectiles and blades to shafts/handles, illumination and fire starting, waterproofing basketry, holding together wood crafts, and sealing seams on birch bark canoes.

7. Gorilla Glue

When I was extremely chemically sensitive I found Original Gorilla Glue to be difficult to tolerate when wet, but not terrible. I was fine with it once it cured.

This is a polyurethane glue that does offgas VOCs. The SDS sheet does say “Harmful if inhaled. May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled. May cause respiratory irritation.” For this reason, they don’t claim that this is non-toxic when wet, but the company does say it finishes offgassing at 24 hours (sensitive people will likely need longer). They also said “we cannot confirm that Gorilla Glue is non-toxic once cured as we do not FDA test it. For that reason we do not recommend using it in applications that have direct or indirect food contact.”

I’m leaving it on the list for your comparison.

This glue is 100% waterproof and forms a very strong bond with wood, stone, metal, ceramic, foam, glass, concrete and much more. They do not recommend it for use on polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) plastics or any type of rubber with high oil or plasticizer content.

It’s easy to find at hardware stores and on Amazon.

Non-Toxic White Glues

1. Elmers White Glue

The classic Elmer’s School Glue is a basic PVA glue that is considered non-toxic.

It’s generally used for school projects, crafts, and slime. It bonds to wood, paper, ceramic, and fabric.

There isn’t much information on the specific ingredients, beyond PVA and glycerol. VOCs are not listed for School Glue, but their Glue-All (another white glue) has 11 g/l VOC.

You can buy it on Amazon.

2. Titebond White Glue

Titebond White Glue is another non-toxic PVA-based glue.

They say it sets faster than most other comparable glues. It can be used on wood and with many other porous and semi-porous materials. 

The VOCs are listed as 10.7 g/l.

You can buy the jugs on Amazon.

If you want a 0-VOC glue that acts like a white glue, consider the versatile ECOS Wood Glue and Hide Glue in the wood glue section.

Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 8 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.

Sources:

https://cottagelife.com/design-diy/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-wood-glue/

https://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infadh/infadhe.html

https://www.woodmagazine.com/wood-supplies/glues-adhesives/the-hot-dish-on-hide-glue

https://pharosproject.net/common-products/2202604

Non-Toxic Paint for a Rabbit Hutch (With a Vet’s Advice)

by Leave a Comment

When I was growing up I always had a pet rabbit, one was a giant named Pablo who had a very colorful hutch. Back in the day, we did not think at all about the toxicity of the paint.

While most paints and sealers will be non-toxic once fully cured, we have to look carefully at how long it needs to cure before your bunny can re-enter as well as the potential toxicity of chewing on the paint as we know how rabbits can be around wood.

These are the least toxic paints, clear sealers, and colorful stains that will work on outdoor hutches and indoor ones too. These are also non-toxic for the person applying them.

Expert Contributor: I consulted with Dr. Sabrina Kong a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine for advice on the safety of the paints and sealers.

This post contains affiliate links. Upon purchase, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

a painted green rabbit hutch with hares inside in an outdoor location
OK, these look like hares, but I wanted a photo of a colorful painted hutch

1. ECOS Pet Dwelling Paint

ECOS Paints Pet Dwelling Primer and Pet Dwelling Paint are a 0-VOC acrylic paint and primer that are safe for all animal enclosures including rabbit hutches. It’s a water-proof exterior grade paint (that can be used indoors as well) that comes in eggshell, semi-gloss, and gloss.

Because it’s very fast to dry your rabbit can get back to their home quite quickly. However, you do have to take precautions with acrylic paint and restrict your painting to only the outside sides that cannot be chewed on.

“Rabbits tend to chew on almost anything, including acrylic paint, which is very unsafe for rabbits to chew on, says Dr Sabrina Kong, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Acrylic paint is a type of plastic, and when ingested, it can cause blockages in the digestive system” says Dr. Sabrina Kong.

Application:

a pinterest sized graphic that says rabbit safe paint for a hutch with the same pic as above of a green rabbit hutch with hares inside
Save it to Pinterest

Step 1 Check the weather. You need to be between 50°F (10°C) and 70s to lower 80s F and lower than 70% relative humidity. Also, make sure you’re either undercover or that it’s not going to rain for 72 hours.

Step 2 Prime over bare wood, dark colors, a higher gloss paint, an oil-based paint, or heavily sanded or scraped surfaces. Use one coat of Pet Dwellings Primer and allow 24 hours before painting. (The Universal Primer can be used for over oil-based paint if you follow the instructions on their website).

Step 3 Paint two coats of Pet Dwelling Paint on primed or previously painted (with water-based paint) metal and wood. It can be recoated in 2 hours if the first coat is fully dry.

If you want to paint the floor of the hutch, use the semi-gloss or gloss sheens which are more durable. (And make sure the edges of the floor are not chewable).

Step 4 Bring bunny home. Your bunny can re-enter at 24 hours, says a rep for the company. Hardening of the paint continues for up to thirty days and you should avoid washing it during that time.

Other Acrylic Paint Lines…

You can certainly use other acrylic paints that are exterior grade. The challenge is that most exterior paints are not 0-VOC and neither are most primers. I don’t know of a paint that beats ECOS Paints, but if you do find a 0-VOC acrylic exterior paint and primer that will be just fine as well.

2. Milk Paint + Tung Oil

Milk Paint is an all-natural paint, perfect for over raw wood, that does not give off any VOCs. With a natural protective coat of Tung Oil, the wood can be very durable to outdoor conditions.

Milk Paint

a graphic that says toy safe milk paint colors old fashioned milk paint with the 10 colors that are reds, oranges, yellows, greens and black

Oil Fashioned Milk Paint is made of milk protein (casein), calcium hydroxide, natural chalk fillers, natural clay fillers, and natural pigments. It comes in a powder and you mix it yourself with water. 

It’s very easy to apply this to raw wood, and that is the best application for this paint. (I wouldn’t bother using this if you’re painting over an existing paint).

Old Fashioned Milk Paint has tested its product against Toy Safe Standard EN-71 in Europe which simulates ingestion of the paint in humans. Not all colors passed the metal leaching tests (whites and blues did not make the cut). These Toy Safe colors are also safer for rabbits.

The Safest Milk Paint Colors for Rabbits

The following Toy Safe colors are made of red iron oxide pigment, lamp black pigment, yellow iron oxide pigment, raw umber brown pigment, and green chrome III pigment*, and are free of any substantial amount of aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, boron, cadmium, Chromium (III), Chromium (VI), cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium, strontium, tin, organic tin, and zinc.

The Toy Safe Colors are Scarlett (bright red), Marigold Yellow, Mustard, Pumpkin, Salem Red, Barn Red, Bayberry Green, Tavern Green, Lexington (dark green), and Pitch Black.

(*The company says the reason why the green pigments are based on Chromium III but are still Toy Safe is because the amount was low enough to pass the test.)

Safety for Rabbits

The Toy Safe colors are also a safer choice for rabbits says Dr. Kong, DVM, but that doesn’t mean they are totally safe.  

“As for natural paint made with iron oxide pigments, while these paints are generally safer than synthetic ones, they can still pose risks if ingested by your rabbit. Iron oxide pigments are considered non-toxic in small amounts, but ingestion of larger quantities could potentially cause iron toxicity.” Dr. Sabrina Kong.

So be sure to keep a close eye on your rabbit to make sure they are not chewing this in any significant amount and provide them with lots of alternative wood chew toys.

a plank of oak first painted with one coat of blue milk paint, then in the second pic, covered with Tung Oil which darkens and dulls it, then in the third pic I added shellac which made it shiny
This is Milk Paint, then Milk Paint + Tung Oil, then Milk Paint + Tung Oil + Shellac

Topcoat of Oil

Milk Paint requires a topcoat of oil to be durable to water otherwise the finish is quickly ruined. Tung Oil over Milk Paint will make the paint durable enough for outdoor conditions and durable enough to be wiped down and cleaned. It is also durable enough for the floor of the hutch.

The main downside is the Tung Oil darkens and dulls the color a bit. You can see the bright blue with Tung Oil over it above (and then shellac, but shellac is not for use on outdoor hutches).

Tung Oil and Citrus Solvent are food-safe and pet-safe once cured.

Safety for Rabbits:

“As for natural VOCs from tung oil and citrus solvent, it’s important to note that while these substances are natural, they can still be harmful or irritating to rabbits. VOCs (volatile organic compounds) can cause respiratory irritation and other health issues. It’s best to keep your rabbit away from freshly oiled areas until the oil has fully cured, been aired out, and the VOCs have had a chance to dissipate before allowing your rabbit access” says Dr. Sabrina Kong, DVM.

Application:

Step 1 Check the weather. Above freezing temperatures on the day of application and for 15 days after. Make sure the hutch is protected from rain and the sun while working. Exposure to the sun while it’s drying can make Tung Oil turn “frosty”.

Step 2 Apply oil to the milk-painted wood. Let the oil absorb into the Milk Painted hutch. You likely need to mix Tung Oil with Citrus Solvent in most cases (and use the half and half), unless the wood is very old and dry.

Step 3 Repeat until saturation. You repeat the oil application as many times as necessary until the surface doesn’t absorb any more oil. Once you reach the point of over-saturation, wipe away the excess oil and let the oil begin the curing process. It takes 7 to 15 days to be dry to the touch and 30 days for complete curing before you can wash it down.

Step 4 Bringing bunny home. Wait the full 30 days for a full cure.

3. A Clear Wood Sealant or Wood Stain for Your Rabbit Hutch

a outdoor rabbit hutch that is raw wood with a clear stain that looks orange-ish with two cute rabbits inside with their hay
How cute are these bunnies?

If you want to finish your rabbit hutch with a clear sealant I would go with a natural drying oil/penetrating oil here on its own. Synthetic sealers can be very low VOC but they are made with plastic resins so they are not be safe to be chewed on.

Tung Oil is very safe once cured. You can follow the same instructions as above but this time it’s going straight onto the raw wood. Tung Oil does naturally darken the wood, though it does not have pigments.

a graphic that says toy safe wood stains Rubio monocot with the 22 stain colors on two types of wood, the colors range from natural to bright colors

If you don’t want to go with Tung Oil you can use Linseed Oil. The best brand of exterior-grade Linseed Oil is Rubio Monocoat. This is not as pure as Tung Oil but it’s still non-toxic.

Rubio Monocoat Hybrid Exterior Wood Protector is a one-part system and requires no catalyst or accelerator. (I would recommend using it without the optional accelerator). Curing times without the Oil Accelerator B is 7 days. So, faster than Tung Oil, plus you only need one coat.

This product is Toy Safe EN-71 and comes in clear or 22 stain colors. The company says it’s safe for use on a rabbit hutch.

Rubio Monocoat still contains some unknown ingredients and likely metallic driers which could be like calcium, iron, zirconium, and/or vanadium.

“While these substances might not be harmful in small amounts, we can’t be sure how a rabbit might react to them, especially if ingested. So I would recommend using this product only on the outside of the rabbit hutch where your rabbit can’t reach to chew” says Dr Sabrina Kong, DVM.

If your hutch is indoors…

If your hutch is indoors I would still use the same exterior grade paints and sealants mentioned in this post. This will give it the durability needed for a robust cleaning.

Dr. Sabrina Kong, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in England in 2016 and has been working at a small animal clinic in Northern California since then.

Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 8 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

Buy me a kofi to support the research behind this blog.

The Best Paints & Sealers for Chicken Coops (Non-Toxic & Bird-Safe)

by Leave a Comment

We want to start with non-toxic paints and sealers and then look for full disclosure on how long the paint or sealer takes to cure and finish offgassing so we know when our chickens can re-enter the hutch.

Anne Lichtenwalner, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, PhD, recommends using a non-toxic paint and to watch out for repurposed lumber that can contain old lead-based paints. We don’t want to use those. Dr. Samuel G. Mwaura, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine also reviewed and contributed to the recommendations to make sure the products on this list are safe for chickens.

The following are the least toxic paints, clear sealers, and colorful stains that will work on outdoor chicken coops or hen houses. (These are also non-toxic for the person applying them.)

This post contains affiliate links. Upon purchase, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Expert Review: Dr. Samuel G. Mwaura, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, reviewed and contributed to this article.

1. ECOS Pet Dwelling Paint

a chicken coop with a hutch and small run painted in a barn red color in a grassy yard.

ECOS Paints Pet Dwelling Primer and Pet Dwelling Paint are a 0-VOC acrylic paint and primer that are formulated to be safe for all animal enclosures including chicken coops. It’s a water-proof exterior-grade paint that comes in eggshell, semi-gloss, and gloss.

You want an exterior grade paint for both the inside and outside of the hutch because this is the most durable and cleanable paint. Semi-gloss and gloss are also easier to clean than eggshell.

Because this paint is fast to cure, your chickens can get back to their home quite quickly.

The benefits of painting your coop include:

  • To protect the wood and makes it last longer
  • To make it easier to clean the inside and outside
  • There are fewer places for mites and other parasites to hide (plus it’s easier to see them on white paint). Because of this, white is the best color for inside your coop.

Application:

Step 1 Check the weather. You need to be between 50°F (10°C) and 70s to lower 80s F and lower than 70% relative humidity. Also, make sure you’re either undercover or that it’s not going to rain for 72 hours.

Step 2 Prime over bare wood, dark colors, a higher gloss paint, an oil-based paint, or heavily sanded or scraped surfaces. Use one coat of Pet Dwellings Primer and allow 24 hours before painting. (The Universal Primer can be used for over oil-based paint if you follow the instructions on their website).

Step 3 Paint two coats of Pet Dwelling Paint on primed or previously painted (with water-based paint) metal and wood. It can be recoated in 2 hours if the first coat is fully dry.

If you want to paint the floor of the hutch, use the semi-gloss or gloss sheens which are more durable.

Step 4 Bring chickens home. Your chickens can re-enter at 24 hours, says a rep for the company. Hardening of the paint continues for up to thirty days and you should avoid washing it during that time. Dr. Samuel G. Mwaura recommends following the company’s recommendations on re-entry time to make sure the paint will be non-toxic at that time.

Colors:

ECOS Paints comes in a large selection of colors, plus they can color match to any other brand. This color is the best barn red color by ECOS Paints (but remember you can color match to anything). Though barn red is a popular color for a henhouse, keep in mind chickens tend to peck at red, so it’s not a good idea to use it on anything but waterers and feeders says the University of Maine. And while chickens do swallow a little paint when they peck at it, ECOS Paints ingredients are harmless to chickens says Dr. Samuel G. Mwaura.

PS. In the UK? This paint is called Lakeland Paints in the UK. Just be sure to select their exterior paint and primer which is the same formula as Pet Dwelling Paint/Primer.

PPS. In Australia? Australians should go with Ecolour Eco Weather Proof Exterior Zero VOC.

Other Acrylic Paint Lines…

You can certainly use other acrylic paints that are exterior grade. The challenge is that most exterior paints are not 0-VOC (and neither are most primers). I don’t know of a paint that beats ECOS Paints, but if you do find a 0-VOC acrylic exterior paint and primer that will be just fine as well. Be sure to follow the company’s instructions on when chickens can re-enter.

2. Milk Paint + Tung Oil

a plank of oak first painted with one coat of blue milk paint, then in the second pic, covered with Tung Oil which darkens and dulls it, then in the third pic I added shellac which made it shiny
This is Milk Paint, then Milk Paint + Tung Oil, then Milk Paint + Tung Oil + Shellac

Milk Paint is an all-natural paint, perfect for over raw wood, that does not give off any VOCs. You can leave it unsealed if you add Outdoor Additive (a borate product) though the paint will flake off with time and not be as easy to clean compared to if you added a topcoat. With a natural protective coat of Tung Oil, the wood can be very durable to outdoor conditions.

Milk Paint

The Real Milk Paint is made from casein (a protein found in milk), lime, a plant-based filler, and earth pigments. Old Fashioned Milk Paint brand also contains clay.

It’s very easy to apply this to raw wood, and that is the best application for this paint. (I wouldn’t bother using this if you’re painting over an existing paint). According to The Real Milk Paint Co, the lime in Milk Paint helps repel parasites that are frequently found amongst chickens.

The iron, chromium and titanium dioxide levels in Milk Paint and the Tung Oil are safe for chickens but the Toy Safe En-17 colors increase the safety margin, hence can be a better choice, says Dr. Samuel G. Mwaura.

The En-17 Toy Safe Colors are Scarlett (bright red), Marigold Yellow, Mustard, Pumpkin, Salem Red, Barn Red, Bayberry Green, Tavern Green, Lexington (dark green), and Pitch Black.

Topcoat of Oil

Milk Paint does much better with a topcoat of oil to be very durable to water. Tung Oil over Milk Paint will make the paint durable enough for outdoor conditions and durable enough to be wiped down and cleaned. It is also durable enough for the floor of the coop.

The main downside is the Tung Oil darkens and dulls the color a bit. You can see the bright blue with Tung Oil over it above (and then shellac, but shellac is not for use on outdoor wood). If you want to get a barn red color, I would start with Flag Red before coating it with Tung Oil.

Note: the Tung Oil will also reveal any unevenness so be sure to use 2-3 coats of Milk Paint even if the first coat looks like enough.

Tung Oil and Citrus Solvent are food-safe and pet-safe once cured.

Application:

Step 1 Check the weather. Above freezing temperatures on the day of application and for 15 days after. Make sure the coop is protected from rain and the sun while working. Exposure to the sun while it’s drying can make Tung Oil turn frosty .

Step 2 Apply oil to the Milk-Painted wood. Let the oil absorb into the Milk Painted coop. You likely need to mix Tung Oil with Citrus Solvent in most cases (and use the half and half mix), unless the wood is very old and dry.

Step 3 Repeat until saturation. You repeat the oil application as many times as necessary until the surface doesn’t absorb any more oil. Once you reach the point of over-saturation, wipe away the excess oil and let the oil begin the curing process. It takes 7 to 15 days to be dry to the touch and 30 days for complete curing before you can wash it down.

Step 4 Bringing chickens home. Wait the full 30 days for a full cure so that it’s not offgassing any natural VOCs. (Both Tung Oil and Citrus Solvent give off natural VOCs).

3. A Clear Wood Sealant & Wood Stain for Your Coop

a plywood chicken coop with a clear sealer on it in with trees and tall grasses behind, a rooster stands out in front

Clear Finish:

If you want to finish your chicken coop with a clear sealant or colourful stain I would go with a natural drying oil/penetrating oil here. The following brands are safe for chickens according to Dr. Samuel G. Mwaura, though he notes you should observe the manufacturer-recommended curing periods.

Tung Oil is very safe and very durable once cured. You can follow the same instructions as above but this time it’s going straight onto the raw wood. Tung Oil does naturally darken the wood, though it does not have pigments.

If you don’t want to go with Tung Oil you can use Linseed Oil. The best brand of exterior-grade Linseed Oil is Rubio Monocoat. This is not as pure as Tung Oil since it’s got modified oils and waxes but it’s still non-toxic.

Rubio Monocoat Hybrid Exterior Wood Protector comes in clear. This is a one-part system and requires no catalyst or accelerator. (I would recommend using it without the optional accelerator). Curing times without the Oil Accelerator (Part B) is 7 days. So, a much faster cure time than Tung Oil, plus you only need one coat (where Tung Oil requires many coats).

The company says it’s safe for chickens at 7 days.

Stained Look:

a pinterest sized graphic that says toy safe wood stains Rubio monocoat with the 22 wood stain colors shown

Rubio Monocoat Hybrid Exterior Wood Protector also comes in stain colors like darker browns, lightening colors, and bright colors.

The graphic to the left shows the stain colors on two different types of wood.

You only need to apply one coat and the cure time without the Part B is 7 days. The company says it’s safe for chickens at 7 days.

Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 8 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

Buy me a kofi to support the research behind this blog.

8 Natural, Organic Wood Stains (100s of Colors)

by 7 Comments

The perfect stain is 100% natural and is non-toxic (for people and pets) but is also durable to wear and to fading. When I looked at the other search results they were all homemade DIY stains based on foods that are not durable! There are a number of stains I love in this post that do tick all the boxes, and I have tried most of them.

The most natural options on this list use natural earth pigments to achieve the stain colors and use a 100% natural (non-toxic) carrier as well.

In terms of natural stains & finishes in one, natural oil-based stains are usually the easiest to apply and get an even tone with. Water-based stains are the most difficult to apply evenly to large areas.

I also mention pigments that can be added to an alcohol-based shellac finish.

Natural does not always equal non-toxic, however. Natural pigments are generally metallic elements and therefore not all are safe for all people or all applications. The Toy Safe certification is a huge help in discerning which pigments are truly safe for toys that could go in a child’s mouth or for food safe applications.

[Read more…] about 8 Natural, Organic Wood Stains (100s of Colors)

Low-VOC Sealers for Log Cabin Homes (Non-Toxic & Natural Options)

by 2 Comments

Low-VOC and non-toxic sealers (and stains) for log cabins fall into two categories: natural oil penetrating sealers and low-VOC synthetic sealants.

For the exterior, we want something as durable as possible. There are two main options here. The first is the all-natural tung oil mix made for exteriors and the second is a low-VOC synthetic from Vermont Natural Coatings.

While there are other options in both categories – other brands that make penetrating oil sealers and other brands that make water-based or oil-water hybrid sealers, these are my top brands and the best in each class.

For the interior, you can use something that is not quite as durable. This allows for more options that are lower in odor than the exterior products. We still have the same two categories, natural penetrating oils and synthetic sealers.

[Read more…] about Low-VOC Sealers for Log Cabin Homes (Non-Toxic & Natural Options)

Non-Toxic Sealants & Paints for Terra-Cotta Pots

by 5 Comments

There are lots of choices for non-toxic sealants and non-toxic paints for terra-cotta planters and pots in this article that are not widely known.

Almost all of the conventional recommendations out there are for products I would definitely not use. I wouldn’t want that exposure to VOCs and I want my plants to be happy and healthy too.

This article goes over all-natural and non-toxic synthetic sealers for inside and outside the terra-cotta clay pot.

I also take a look at natural and synthetic paints for the exterior of the pot, and sealants for over those paints to prevent the paint from peeling off.

We want to make sure we are providing the environment that the plant needs to thrive in, so some of these sealants will be close to water-proof and others will be breathable.

We don’t need to use toxic sealants to provide any of our sealing needs.

This post contains affiliate links. Upon purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

[Read more…] about Non-Toxic Sealants & Paints for Terra-Cotta Pots

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

by 7 Comments

The search for non-toxic spray paint was not a straightforward one, it took a lot of searching through brands, looking at ingredient lists, and even testing some myself.

I started by looking at water-based aerosol paints since they are lower odor and have fewer fumes than solvent-based paints.

However, even water-based spray paints are not technically low-VOC, since the propellant is a solvent. Still, they can be fast to offgas and are certainly less toxic than solvent-based paint.

Next up, I found a lot of hybrids – water and ethanol-based paints. While those paints do aerosolize alcohol, this alcohol is very fast to evaporate and so this is still a great paint for those looking for safer options.

Then, finally, I tested the solvent paint options from major brands to see which ones become odorless when dry (and how many days exactly does it take to finish offgassing and become non-toxic).

[Read more…] about Non-Toxic Spray Paint Buying Guide (Low-Odor & Water-Based Brands)

Non-Toxic Waterproof Sealants & Stains for Exterior Wood

by 8 Comments

This article covers non-toxic and natural waterproofing sealants and stains that are specially formulated for exterior applications like wooden decks, fences, furniture, windows, doors, play gyms, and planters.

This post covers both water-based sealants and natural oil-based options that are either zero or very low VOC. They are safe for sensitive individuals, as well as children and pets.

  • Natural oil sealants can be remarkedly durable at providing protection from water and the elements, and work perfectly over oily dense woods like Ipe, Teak and Mahogany.
  • Synthetic penetrating sealers can provide water resistance while leaving a natural look to raw wood.
  • Film-forming sealants provide a durable topcoat, that can go over lightly sanded wood.

If you are working with pressure-treated wood, all stains require that the wood has time to dry out first which can take anywhere from 3 months to a year.

Technically wood sealers are not water-proof but water-resistant, certainly enough to weather the storms outside.

[Read more…] about Non-Toxic Waterproof Sealants & Stains for Exterior Wood

Is Plywood Toxic? (Non-Toxic Alternatives)

by 33 Comments

This post provides an overview of the formaldehyde and formaldehyde-free glues used in plywood.

I look at the offgassing levels and rates of formaldehyde in various types of plywood so that you can choose the lowest VOC option and minimize offgassing in the home.

There are non-toxic plywoods as well as non-toxic alternatives to plywood listed here.

[Read more…] about Is Plywood Toxic? (Non-Toxic Alternatives)

Non-Toxic Sealants for Birdbaths (Concrete, Terra-Cotta, Stone & Metal)

by 15 Comments

Freezing temperatures and the hot sun affect concrete birdbaths – if you leave yours in the elements without a sealant you will likely get pitting and cracking.

Sealing the surface with a non-toxic sealant helps your birdbath to be less porous so it holds water well and limits the freeze-thaw effects.

Of course, we want a sealant that is totally non-toxic to the birds and doesn’t leach any chemicals into the water. It’s also important to have a sealer that is safe for the humans who are applying it.

This article outlines one truly non-toxic, no VOC, natural, non-leaching option that is safe for birds and humans, as well as one synthetic option.

These sealants work on stone/rock, terra-cotta birdbaths as well. The first option works on metal birdbaths.

[Read more…] about Non-Toxic Sealants for Birdbaths (Concrete, Terra-Cotta, Stone & Metal)