Healthy exteriors/gardens

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

March 26, 2022 by Corinne Leave a Comment

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.

I also cover stains, some are a stain and sealer in one and with other options, you need to add the stain first.

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

1. Natural Penetrating Oil

Penetrating oils come in all-natural formulas. These oils naturally polymerize and form durable coatings. Tung oil is the most durable of the oils and is suitable for exterior applications. It is almost always mixed with a pine or citrus solvent when used on wood, which can be too strong for some people, at least at first.

If the log cabin walls are raw wood with no finish on them you can use a penetrating sealer. If you are unsure if the wood is already sealed, you can do a water test – put some water on the surface and see if it absorbs. If it does, then penetrating oils should work well. If it doesn’t absorb, there is some kind of sealer or finish on the logs that would need to be removed prior to using any penetrating finish.

Penetrating Oil Exterior Log finish

Outdoor Defense Oil (ODO), a natural tung oil mix, is a great sealant for the exterior. If the logs are super dry, you might even be able to use Pure Tung Oil for the first coat or two and then follow up with ODO to top off the wood. For the log ends, the Pure Tung Oil would be best since the “end grain” of the log is super absorbent and will take the tung oil without diluting.

Tung oil is a natural choice but it’s still very durable and holds up well. The Outdoor Defense Oil is made from pure tung oil, pine oil, and zinc. The pine and zinc give it natural anti-fungal properties and some UV protection.

One of the benefits of the tung oil on log homes is it is partially vapor permeable which is usually a good thing for moisture management. Also, tung oil is flexible, so as the wood expands and contracts with the weather the tung oil will also flex with the wood rather than being rigid and cracking.

I would expect annual maintenance for the best protection.

Stains for Natural Oil Finishes

Tung oil naturally darkens the wood somewhat. If you want an even darker color there are some more options.

Dark Tung Oil can be used for the first coat or two, then you can apply the ODO overtop. Or, mix the Dark Half into the ODO to create a tinted version.

You can also use a water-based stain on the wood before applying the oil like AFM Duratone, ECOS Stains, or Pure Color.

You can also paint the exterior of the cabin with Milk Paint! The Milk Paint is very colorfast since they use pigments rather than dyes. You do need to seal over the Milk Paint with the tung oil to give it weather/water resistance.

Their pigments can also be used to tint the tung oil, but if you add too much though you’re essentially creating an oil-based paint.

Interior Penetrating Oil Log Finish

For the interior, any of the penetrating drying oils will work well and you don’t need to fully saturate the logs, usually 1-2 coats will do.

The Hemp Oil is nice for the interior because it doesn’t require any solvent so it is low odor compared to tung oil and is lower in odor than linseed as well.

If you do prefer linseed I like a pure linseed oil with no additives like Tried and True.

If you want to paint your interior walls be sure to use a breathable paint, they are listed here.

2. Low-VOC Synthetic Coating

If you don’t want to go with the natural oils, there are low-VOC synthetic formulas. Some are water-based and some are an oil/water hybrid. I really like the company Vermont Natural Coatings as their products have been both low odor and competitive with more toxic sealers in terms of durability.

Low-VOC Exterior Log Finish

On exterior spruce/fir/pine logs that do not already have a stain/sealant on them, you can use SunCare900 Primer (1 coat), followed by Bohme Ligno Exterior Stain, a super low-VOC water/oil hybrid exterior grade stain and topcoat in one (2 coats).

Choose one of the colors to mask/prevent the natural graying of the wood underneath.

Low-VOC Interior Log Finish

For the interior, you have more choices. Really any acrylic or polyurethane low or zero-VOC coating will do. You can choose from a number of brands. I still really like Vermont Natural Coatings but some people do react to this (possibly to the whey). So you may want to test multiple options if you are sensitive to chemicals.

These are my top picks:

Vermont Natural Coatings PolyWhey was my top choice for a durable coating that holds up well on wood and is very low odor. It has the best combo of durable and low odor that I have found.

ECOS varnishes, which are acrylic-based, are super low toxin. In my experience, they are not as durable as the polyurethane alternatives but that’s not usually a problem on walls.

AFM Polyureseal is liked by many. It is a very tolerable formula by a high-quality brand. This brand is a durable low toxin polyurethane finish for wood floors.

Very low odor polyurethane and acrylic options also include BioShield Aqua Resin, Earthpaint Aqualine, Earthpaint Easy Safe 1K, and Vermeister. I compare them all in a dedicated post if you want to consider more options.

Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 7 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.

Non-Toxic Sealants & Paints for Terra-Cotta Pots

November 30, 2021 by Corinne 2 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 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.

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

November 30, 2021 by Corinne 2 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).

The last section covers no-VOC paints that are not aerosols but can be spray applied. If you want a paint without VOCs, without any solvents including propellants, but you still need to cover difficult to paint surfaces, these are the options to look at.

Many of these paints can be used on furniture, decor, and for crafts that are for sensitive folks, for kids, and for animal enclosures.

This post contains affiliate links. Upon purchase, I make a small 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 two bases: solvent-based and water-based.

There is also a hybrid of water and ethanol. Ethanol is overall a much safer solvent than those used in heavy petroleum solvent-based paints. You do have to be careful with inhaling it when wet, but it evaporates very fast. I’ve included the ethanol-water hybrid in the water-based section because it’s so safe.

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 would require 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 offgassing.

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 offgasses 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.

Aerosol spray paint cans are filled first with paint and then a compressed or liquified gas as the propellant. When the paint comes through the nozzle, the propellant expands into gas form.

Up until the 1980s, many aerosol cans used chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as a propellant. But once it was concluded that these were harmful to the ozone layer, these were discontinued. Almost all aerosol cans contain alternative 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. It is considered relatively non-toxic (though there are hazards to short-term exposure), it has a faint ether-like odor, and it does not harm the ozone layer.

Hydrocarbon propellants include propane, butane, propane-butane, and pentane.

Compressed gasses are used in about 10% of today’s aerosols says one source. 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. Prop 65 warns against compounds that can cause cancer or reproductive harm. In some cases, this is only a warning on the pigments like titanium dioxide and carbon black. Those two are only harmful when breathed in, not when in the final solid form. So be sure to wear the appropriate PPE but otherwise there is no need to be alarmed by this warning.

Two other compounds sometimes found in spray paint that are Prop 65 chemicals are benzene and toluene. Though most of the paints here use these solvents either in very small amounts or they use safer solvents. 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 offgassed.

What Should You Look for in a Non-Toxic Spray Paint:

Water-based formula.
Water and ethanol formula is also great, just be sure not to inhale it.
Very few spray paints have an 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.
Consider the use of a zero-VOC spray applied (non-aerosol) paint in the last section (no propellants and no VOCs).
If going 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 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.

a number of used spray paint cans with bright colored paint spattered on all of them

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.

Some of them are durable enough for both indoor and outdoor projects, though some might need a protective coat. Many have good coverage on a wide variety of substrates, a few might require a primer.

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, I would prefer to go with a water-based formula.

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 it 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%), it also lists xylene at less than 2%. 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 on 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, Walmart

Where to buy in Canada: Amazon.ca
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

Another good option by the same company is Pinty Plus Chalk Finish. Other big brands of spray chalk paints like those by Rust-Oleum and Krylon are solvent-based, so this water-based version is unique. If you want an aerosol chalk paint this is the brand to go with.

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.

Where to buy (US): Amazon, Walmart, and Lowes

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

Pinty Plus Evolution

Pintyplus Evolution Water-Based acrylic spray paint is marketed as an environmentally friendly general-purpose spray paint. It’s more durable than their other paint lines.

It’s very low odor during spraying and once dry it has no odor. It is solvent-free.

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).

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 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.

Where to Buy (US): Amazon, Walmart, and Home Depot

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

Pinty Plus HOME

Formulated with water-based resins, Pinty Plus HOME is very low in odor. It’s designed for indoor-only, home decor projects. It has a matte finish.

Uses: medium size like 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.

Where to buy (US): Home Depot and Lowes

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

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

a can of liquidex water based spray paint

It is a high-quality paint formulated 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%), 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.

Reviews: Reviews state that the odor is very mild.

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

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

3. Montana Colors Water-Based Spray Paint

15 small cans of MTN water based spray paint

This is a professional quality polyurethane paint for murals and crafts. It’s water-soluble, odorless (they say), and leaves a matte finish.

Those who are chemically sensitive should try a polyurethane option and an acrylic option to see which one suits you better.

The propellant is dimethyl ether DME, it also contains 10-25% ethanol, so it looks like a water-alcohol-based hybrid.

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.

Where to buy (US): Amazon and Blick’s

Where to buy UK: The Montana Shop UK
Where to buy Australia: The Montana Shop AU
Where to buy New Zealand: All City NZ

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

4. Evolve Agua Water-Based Spray Paint

12 cans of Evolve Agua water based spray paint in vibrant colors

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. It’s certainly the most affordable option on this list at $8 a can including shipping.

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

Where to use: Indoor and outdoor.

Clean up: Soap and water.

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

Reviews: No reviews yet since it’s a new product. If you have any feedback please leave a comment.

Where to buy (US): Amazon

5. Simply Spray Upholstery Fabric Paint

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 is a permanent dye that soaks into the fabric and leaves it with the original texture. It is non-toxic and non-flammable and is safe for use by children and adults.

They say the propellant is the same one used with food products like canned cheese – 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 and Walmart

Honorable Mention:

Molotow Spray Paints are more readily available in Europe than 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.

Discontinued Options:

Krylon no longer makes water-based spray paint like their previous H20 Latex and Eco-Guard lines.

Ironlak Sugar Acrylic Spray Paint (Artist/Mural Paint) – This is a healthier acrylic spray paint that is a hybrid of water and alcohol that’s made from sugar cane. It’s low-VOC and low in odor (it has an alcohol odor but that will flash off very fast). It is a matte look paint. This Spray paint was last produced in 2019. There is still stock left in 2021-2022 at the Australian Store and stores around the world, but that will be the last of this spray paint. Uses: Art, graffiti/wall murals, crafts, stencils, home decor projects.

Low-Odor Solvent-Based Spray Paint

There are two ways to approach solvent-based spray paints if you want to avoid VOCs. You can look at the options that have either safer solvents or faster drying solvents, or follow the guidelines below on setting aside the item for the full curing/offgassing time.

Be sure to up your PPE here to the full recommendations and only spray these outside.

I personally would not feel comfortable with children spraying these themselves, but they can be safe for furniture and decor items intended for kids’ rooms once fully cured and offgassed.

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

12 cans of Loop Spray Paint in vibrant colors

Loop Colors Spray Paint is 100% acrylic fast-drying spray paint marketed for graffiti, murals, and other spray painting projects for artists.

The solvents contained are free of aromatic compounds (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 could be 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 offgassing.

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)

Four bottles of Rustoleum Spray Paint in front of 4 sample boards that I made with the paint — The four sample boards I made to check on offgassing times, Metalic in Gold, Ultra Cover in Red, Chalked in Pink, and Metal Protection in Silver

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

Rust-Oleum has said that that 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, and I feel confident that you would not be able to pick up any VOCs on a professional VOC test at that time. For those who are very sensitive to chemicals, I have some more detailed offgassing 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 offgassed 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 Rustoleum Metallic in Gold and UltraCover in Red were virtually odorless to me.
Chalked in pink was getting close to odoless at 4-5 weeks (to my nose).

I would not use any of these products indoors. 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.

Rust-Oleum Metallic

Rust-Oleum Specialty Metallic Sprays provide a rich, shiny finish for decor and crafts.

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.

Uses: picture frames, candleholders, holiday decor, and more.

Substrates: wood, metal, plaster, masonry, or unglazed ceramic. It’s made with real metal leafing flakes.

Where to use: The paint is for items that will only be used indoors.

Colors: Gold, Silver, Brass, Copper.

Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch 2X Ultra Cover

Painter’s Touch 2x Ultra Cover is a premium general-purpose spray paint. It’s 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.

Substrates: Wood, most plastic, metal, wicker, and more. Some plastics made of polyethylene are manufactured in a way that may hinder good paint adhesion.

Where to use: for furniture and items that will be used outside and inside. It has great resistance to water (what most people would mean by the term waterproof). Personally, I would only apply this outside even if the item is intended to be used inside when cured.

Colors/Sheens: From high gloss to ultra-matte, it comes in bright colors, neutrals, and black and white.

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

Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte Sprays

Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte is an ultra-matte chalk finish. Chalk Finish paints are also known for having good adhesion to many substrates.

This is an 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.

Uses: Furniture and home decor. It can be sanded and distressed.

Substrates: It works on most surfaces without priming. For better coverage, a Rust-Oleum primer can be used on bare and treated wood.

Where to use: This is for furniture and items used indoors. Though personally I would only spray apply this outdoors or in a garage.

Colors: Pastel colors, bright red, charcoal, white.

Stops Rust Protective Enamel (US name), aka Premium Metal Protection (in other parts of the world)

Stops Rust Protective Enamel, 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. The propellant appears to be propane.

Substrates: Ideal for ferrous and non-ferrous metal and wood surfaces.

Where to use: For furniture and items used indoors and outdoors.

Colors/Sheens: Over 50 colors in four finishes (gloss, semi-gloss, satin, and flat). In the Stops Rust line, they do have metallics including rose gold.

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.

This is an acrylic latex enamel. Dimethyl ether is the propellant, the next solvent listed is ethylene glycol butyl ether at 10%. There are certainly fewer hazardous chemicals listed here compared to other solvent-based spray paint. 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 Spray Applied Paint (Alternatives to Aerosol Spray Paint)

A less toxic option to all of the paints above is to spray apply regular non-toxic paint. This eliminates the propellant in the aerosol cans.

You can still get really good performance from these paints, one is made for bare metal as a primer, the others are for over already painted metal and other difficult surfaces like glass, oil-based paint, and enamel finishes.

You can rent a spray gun or hire a professional to spray apply the paint for you. Check the instructions on each paint brand for spray application, but generally, all you have to do is dilute it with some water and choose the recommended spray gun.

These are really my top choices for painting furniture for babies or kids, animal enclosures for sensitive pets, or for chemically sensitive people.

1. Chalk or Chalked Paint

a quart of rustolum chalked paint in linen white

Chalk Paint, brushed on or spray applied, is an obvious replacement for many aerosol spray paints.

It has excellent adhesion to just about every material including most metals, glass, ceramic, oil-based paint, shellac, plastics, wood, drywall, fabric, concrete, brick, and stone.

My review of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint goes over more details.

Chalk Paint is only for interior use.

For added durability, you can add a natural wax or synthetic zero-VOC protective topcoat.

It’s extremely low in odor, even lower in odor than your typical zero-VOC acrylic paint.

Here is a video on how to spray apply it.

Where to buy (US): Chalked Paint from Amazon or Home Depot. Annie Sloan through their website.

2. AFM MetalCoat Primer

a gallon can of Safecoat metalcoat primer

AFM MetalCoat can be applied with an airless sprayer, brush, or roller. This pain is low-VOC (though not as low as Chalk Paint or ECOS below) and can be used on interior and exterior bare metal.

It can be used on galvanized steel, aluminum, and any non-ferrous metal. It sticks to nickel, tin, titanium, iron, zinc, brass, gold, silver, platinum, cobalt, tungsten, bismuth, cadmium, and zirconium.

It’s not recommended for copper or cast iron or any metal that has rust. This primer is not made for functional radiators as it can not take that level of heat.

Chalk Paint above is the best non-toxic paint for radiators (this post goes into more detail on instructions for painting radiators).

This primer is for bare metal only and can be followed by any of the AFM paints. If you want to paint over metal that already has a paint on it, use AFM Transitional Primer, followed by their paint.

It is safe to use on pet cages, like bird cages, parrot aviaries, dog crates, etc.

They aren’t FDA-approved food-safe, but once it’s fully cured and if it doesn’t go into a dishwasher, it is considered to be safe.

Where to buy (US & Canada): GDC/Building for Health

3. ECOS Universal Primer

A gallon can of ECOS paint Universal Primer

ECOS paint and primers can be brushed or rolled on but not spray applied.

ECOS Universal Primer that can be used on metals like bare iron and steel (not cast iron). It is for both interior and exterior use.

This is a good option for difficult surfaces like over oil-based paint (with the proper prep), and many metals, both raw and factory-primed (like factory-primed doors and cribs). It can work on some plastics as well, you might need to do a test first.

This primer is water-based and zero-VOC so it’s super safe for people including children, babies, and pets. It can work for metal pet cages, like dog crates, birdcages, and wood cages that are either inside or outside. It’s perfect for furniture for a baby’s room (including cribs), play gyms, and other items for kids.

This is a primer, so be sure to follow with the appropriate interior or exterior paint by ECOS as well.

I like ECOS because all of their paints are zero-VOC and their products are high quality as well.

Where to buy (US & Canada): ECOS website

Food-Safe Spray Paint

None of Rust-Oleum‘s spray paints are food-safe. Rust-Oleum has a food-grade enamel paint (not spray paint) though it is high in VOCs.

Krylon said: “We don’t manufacture a product that is FDA approved. An FDA approval is important in terms of whether a product film is safe for incidental ingestion. We do not perform animal testing and cannot test for ingestion. Therefore, we offer nothing that is guaranteed to be food safe if it is ingested or encounters someone’s mouth. Having said that, many of our customers apply our products on countertops. Just make sure to set or prepare food on a cutting board/trivet/food-safe surface.”

AFM Safecoat Metal Primer + Exterior paint or ECOS Paints might be considered defacto food-safe, though they are not FDA approved.

Sealants: You might consider sealing the painted surface:

With a food-safe thin two-part epoxy resin, the same ones used to seal wooden bowls and tables which will come in contact with food.
With a food-safe acrylic sealer.
Zinsser Shellac products are not FDA approved for food contact. Though putting a shellac (pure shellac flakes mixed with food-grade ethanol) does help to act as a protectant, limiting leaching from the paint and providing a food-safe top coat.

Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 7 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.

Non-Toxic Waterproof Sealants & Stains for Exterior Wood

November 21, 2021 by Corinne Leave a Comment

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.

Top picks:

Top water-based option: Vermont Natural Coatings PolyWhey Exterior Wood Stain
Top invisible look option: Vermont Natural Coatings Penetrating Water Proofer with Juniper
Top oil-based natural options: Outdoor Defense Oil or Rubio Monocoat Hybrid Exterior

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

1. Vermont Natural Coatings & Böhme – Terra Plus Exterior Deck Stain

What is it: This is an oil / waterborne hybrid penetrating stain and sealer.

Water resistance.
UV protection. It has better UV protection than the other options by this company.
Abrasion resistance.
Semi-transparent stain in 16 colors including grey and whitewash.

Where to use it: On exterior wood like decks and stairs.

Types of wood: Use on new or properly prepared exterior wood. You can use it on oily woods like Ipe, Mahogany, and Teak as well as non-tropical exterior woods.

Specs: Low VOC. One person who was super sensitive thought this was better than PolyWhey. The company describes the smell as a sunflower or pumpkin odor, not a linseed odor, though it’s not clear what the full ingredients are.

Where to buy: Through the Vermont Natural Coatings website; sometimes on Amazon.

2. Penetrating Water Proofer Infused With Juniper

What is it: This is a water-based penetrating sealer. It does not form a film – it leaves the wood looking totally bare and raw.

Water-resistance (only) for a natural look.
It does not provide any UV resistance, the wood will gray out naturally.
It does not provide abrasion resistance.
No stain or change in color or sheen.

Where to use it: Despite being only a waterproofer this can be used on decks, railings, shake roofs, siding, fencing, indoor/outdoor play gyms, the exterior of planters/raised garden beds, outdoor furniture, and animal hutches/pens. Like the other synthetic sealers on the list, is not suitable for subterranean or submerged wood. It can be used on interior and exterior applications.

Types of wood: It can be used on new, or weathered wood as well as pressure-treated wood. For pressure-treated wood allow 6-12 months before application. It can work on Teak and other oily woods and it is a good choice for cedar, pine, spruce, and fir. It cannot go over or under another product.

Specs: It is zero-VOC and contains no solvents, dyes, biocides, or fungicides.

Where to buy: From Walmart and you can sometimes find it via Amazon.

3. PolyWhey Exterior Penetrating Wood Stain

Vermont Natural Coatings Exterior Penetrating Wood Stain

What is it: This is one of the most durable water-based non-toxic deck stain/sealers that I know of.

Water resistance.
Some UV resistance, you get more UV resistance the darker the stain color.
Comes in 14 semi-transparent stain colors, including greys.
Abrasion resistance.

Where to use it: Wood siding, decks, fences, outdoor furniture, log cabins, exterior wood doors, play gyms, swing sets, beehives (it’s well-known for this application), pet hutches, barns, chicken coops, and other outdoor wood surfaces.

This coating is great for the exterior of raised garden beds with AFM Dynoseal as the synthetic waterproofer for the interior. More in the post on raised garden beds.

Types of wood: It can be used on new, pressure-treated, and weathered wood. Like with all wood stains and sealers, pressure-treated wood needs to dry out for 6 months to a year before application. This one is not for use on exotic super dense oily woods such as Teak, Ipe, or Garapa/Brazilian Ash.

It can be applied over older oil-based stains or finish, as well as other water-based finishes if it’s been fully sanded first so that it can penetrate into the wood. No product can go over top of this in exterior applications.

Specs: It is non-toxic, low odor, low-VOC, and contains no biocides, fungicides, or anti-microbial agents. The pigments act as natural UV inhibitors.

The folks at Green Building Supply have tested the non-toxic options on fences and found this to be as durable as oil-based stains and more conventional toxic stains/sealers.

Where to buy: You can buy it online at Walmart and sometimes via Amazon.

4. AFM Safecoat EXT Exterior Polyureseal

What is it: A clear acrylic-urethane coating for exterior use on wood (and concrete too).

Water-resistant topical coating .
Good abrasion resistance.
UV resistance.
Clear coating, but can be paired with their stains.

Where to use it: On walkways, decks, fences, floors, patios, doors, and pet cages. It can be applied to raw wood or wood stained with AFM Safecoat wood stains, as well as concrete or previously painted (with water-based paint) surfaces.

For abrasion resistance on outdoor furniture, tables, or decks, a paint and sealer combo would work well: AFM Safecoat All Purpose Exterior Satin and then AFM Safecoat EXT Exterior Polyureseal.

Types of wood: Use on dry and absorbent wood. It can be applied to raw wood or wood stained with Safecoat DuroTone, concrete, and previously painted surfaces that are properly prepared. This product can not be used over oil-based coatings.

Specs: It’s a low-VOC formula. It also can function to seal in offgassing of chemicals and odorants.

Where to buy: Through Green Design Center/Building for Health.

5. Milk Paint Outdoor Defense Oil

What is it: The is the only totally natural waterproofer on this list, but it still functions really well. This is a natural oil sealer made from pure tung oil, pine oil, and zinc. Out of the natural penetrating oils, tung oil is the most durable.

Water resistant penetrating sealer, not a topcoat.
Durable, abrasion resistance.
UV resistance.
Naturally darkens the wood but does not come in different stain colors.
Food contact safe

Where to use it: On outdoor wood like picnic tables, wooden Adirondack chairs, wood furniture, decks, siding, wood fencing, front porches, concrete patios, park benches, wooden storage sheds, wood doors, and windows. You can use it on beehives with a full 30-day cure. This is the all-natural option for sealing raised garden beds (both inside and out), more info here.

You can also use this over Milk Paint to protect it from the elements or you can mix (some) pigments into the tung oil.

Types of wood: You can use this on all wood types. Extremely dense woods such as Teak, Ipe, etc may require thinning with more (natural) solvent. Not for use over new oil-based sealers/stains or other finishes like film-forming topcoats. You can use it over aged penetrating oil finishes (like aged linseed oil).

Specs: No metallic driers. Full ingredient disclosure: pure tung oil, pine oil (which acts as a solvent), and zinc. Some highly chemically sensitive folks have preferred these natural oil coatings to synthetic coatings like PolyWhey (others would find the opposite preferable). Always test for your own tolerance and I would recommend not using or being exposed to these natural solvents when they are wet if you are sensitive.

Where to buy: Through the Real Milk Company’s website. You can use code mychemicalfreehouse for 10% off.

PS to clean your tung oiled wood, you can use gentle soaps, but some non-toxic cleaners can damage it – this post goes over the best options.

6. Monocoat Hybrid Exterior Wood Protector

What is it: A modified linseed oil and wax penetrating oil finish that is applied with just one coat.

Water-resistant, penetrating sealer (not a topcoat).
Natural and modified ingredients.
UV protection except for the color “Pure” which has no UV protection.
Comes in 22 different stain colors, including bright colors.

Where to use it: Wooden decks, façades, patios, shutters, portals, garden furniture, pontoons, windows, doors, etc.

Types of wood: Works well over almost all wood types including oily exotic woods (Ipe, Teak, Mahogany etc).

Specs: Solvent-free, technically it’s no-VOC because it’s a natural product. Though see my in-depth review of Rubio Monocoat and other linseed oils for information on naturally occurring VOCs. Rubio Monocoat is preferred to plain linseed oil in many ways because it’s lower in odor. You need a part B accelerator, be sure to test that out as well.

Where to buy: Directly through their website.

PS To clean your linseed oiled wood, make sure to use specialty products that won’t damage the surface.

Top Picks for Exterior Wood Stains:

Most Durable Water-Based Option: Vermont Natural Coatings PolyWhey Exterior Penetrating Wood Stain

Best Bare Wood Look Water Proofer: Vermont Natural Coatings Penetrating Waterproofer with Juniper

Best Clear Topcoat for Over Paint: AFM EXT

Only All-Natural Option (+ Most Durable Natural Oil): Outdoor Defense Oil

Best (Mostly) Natural Option if You Want Lots of Stain Colors: Rubio Monocoat Hybrid Exterior

Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 7 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.

Is Plywood Toxic? (Non-Toxic Alternatives)

November 9, 2021 by Corinne 9 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.

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

What is Plywood?

Plywood is an engineered wood product made up of thin layers of wood called “plies” glued together. Each layer is laid with the grain running in the opposite direction to the previous layer.

Where is Plywood Used in a House?

Often used as sheathing on the exterior of the wood framing of a house
Often used as roof decking
Often used as subflooring
Often used as the boxes of cabinets, and as structure inside sofas and other furniture
Sometimes used as an underlayment or the structure of countertops
Sometimes (rarely) used as interior walls

A stack of plywood of different thicknesses

Myths About Plywood

That it offgasses forever

Plywood made with phenol-formaldehyde rapidly reaches no-detectible levels. Plywood made with urea-formaldehyde offgasses for longer, but it is up to 60% of the way there in 30 days. Plywood made from urea-formaldehyde is generally avoidable.

That it is high in formaldehyde

Plywood made with phenol-formaldehyde is not high in formaldehyde since it rapidly reaches non-detectable levels. Interior furniture grade plywood (which can be made with urea-formaldehyde) needs to come in at 0.05 parts per million formaldehyde.

That it is toxic

Plywood made from phenol-formaldehyde is not toxic. Plywood made from urea-formaldehyde is also technically not considered toxic at 0.05 parts per million formaldehyde. But those with compromised detox systems can find this level to be toxic to them. Whether it’s toxic or not very much depends on how much plywood is in the room, the size of the room, airflow in the room, and the person that is being exposed to it.

Which Chemicals Offgas from Plywood

Overview of the Adhesives Used in Plywood

Phenol-Formaldehyde (PH) (aka phenolic glue) – Most of the plywood I see now is made with phenol-formaldehyde. The offgassing is much lower and in many products comes to a complete cure in a short amount of time.

Urea-Formaldehyde (UF) – This is the type of formaldehyde that offgasses at higher levels and for longer. When you think of furniture or flooring that is offgassing for many years it was likely made of urea-formaldehyde. The offgassing rate of UF plywood varies by the exact formula (also some companies use heat to accelerate the offgassing) – it can vary from 15-60% offgassed in 30 days (source). Remember offgassing is on an exponential curve.

Melamine-Urea Formaldehyde (MUF) – This is a urea-formaldehyde glue modified with melamine and PVA. It gives the plywood more water resistance and is usually only used for exterior door skin, marine plywood, and concrete formwork plywood. Adding melamine reduces the formaldehyde offgassing levels (source).

No added Urea Formaldehyde (NAUF), this almost always means PF is used.

No Added Formaldehyde (NAF), this means that no formaldehyde is added to the product – the glue used does not contain formaldehyde. They cannot be labeled “formaldehyde-free” because wood naturally contains formaldehyde. No added formaldehyde plywood is made with “soy-based” glue.

Soy-Based Glue – Soy-based glue is not just one formulation. They use soy protein mixed with polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin (PAE), isocyanates, and aldehydes. (From the co-inventor of the adhesive for Purebond Plywood). This one is called soy-PAE. A similar type of soy-based glue that may be used to replace formaldehyde in MDF and particleboard is an amine-epichlorohydrin adduct/soy protein/isocyanate (source).

a close up of the veneer on a plywood sheet

Types of Plywood and Their Glues

Structural Plywood

Structural plywood is softwood plywood (SWPW) and it is used for roof sheathing, subfloor, and roof decking.

This type of plywood is made with phenol-formaldehyde as the binder/glue (3.5% formaldehyde to be exact). Phenol formaldehyde is the least toxic type as it offgases less than urea-formaldehyde and it off-gases faster.

Formaldehyde Levels

Formaldehyde levels in freshly produced plywood start out below 0.1 parts per million (ppm). But “emissions rapidly approached zero as the panels aged. In fact, the levels were so low and so close to the ‘background’ levels in the test chamber that it was not possible to measure them accurately” according to the American Plywood Association.

While the APA would not say exactly when the PF levels approached zero (or close to it), I do think that a few weeks is more than adequate for most people.

For most people, exterior plywood in a build will be sufficiently offgassed by the time the building is complete.

Testing Your Reactions

If you are extremely sensitive you should test out plywood when new, after a few weeks, and after 2-3 months of airing. You should also compare that to OSB, to see which is better for your health (I certainly prefer plywood to OSB). The extremely sensitive can often pick up the residual odor of the plywood glue even after the point where it’s undetectable by any instrument. It also becomes difficult to tell where the formaldehyde from the glues ends and the natural level of formaldehyde in the wood starts if you are sensitized to it.

Marine-Grade Plywood Glues

In the US, the marine-grade plywood I’ve seen is made with phenol-formaldehyde, but it can also be made with melamine-urea formaldehyde.

This is not a specific type of plywood in Canada.

Pressure-Treated Plywood Additives

Pressure-treated plywood is commonly treated with alkaline copper quaternary (i.e. copper and quaternary ammonia) (ACQ).

Copper Azole (CBA) is another type, which contains copper, tebuconazole, and possibly boric acid.

Though some wood is still treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA), this is rare nowadays and it’s definitely not often used in residential buildings.

Product Certification Levels for Formaldehyde

A chalkboard looking graphic that says formaldehyde CH20

CARB II – Formaldehyde Levels CARB II is a standard set by California for products sold there, but when it comes to common building materials like plywood, all major manufactures tend to comply with California’s standards.

Products that fall under this standard include hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, and particleboard – these are pressed wood products sold for interior use.

It does not regulate exterior sheathing products like structural plywood (softwood plywood) and OSB.

(The allowable limits for TSCA Title VI are the same as CARB).

CARB II Formaldehyde Limits Are: Hardwood Plywood 0.05 ppm (parts per million)

The CARB II limit is the same as the GreenGuard limit.

Furniture Grade Plywood

Interior grades of plywood can be made with urea-formaldehyde as the adhesive. Urea-formaldehyde (UF) offgasses more and for longer. Now phenol-formaldehyde (PF) is more standard, but I still see some SDS sheets showing urea-formaldehyde.

Interior plywood is often called furniture grade or hardwood plywood. You will want to make sure your furniture is made with PF or NAF glues, not UF.

Formaldehyde-Free Plywood

1. Purebond Plywood by Columbia Forest Products is a no added formaldehyde plywood (NAF). It is made with a soy-based glue.

When folks talk about formaldehyde-free plywood, this is the one they are usually referring to.

Their adhesive is partially proprietary, but they claim it is “soy-based”. The full Declare label is here but this doesn’t tell us much about what it will offgas in the end, only what went into it.

I have seen extremely chemically sensitive folks react to this brand of plywood so I would make sure to test it out yourself before using it. I do think the odor is extremely mild and unoffensive.

Purebond plywood is intended for interior uses like furniture and cabinets (here are some cabinet makers who use Purebond). It is not structural and it is not made to hold up to high humidity or moisture. Some folks are using this as sheathing and roof decking which is a very bad idea.

You can buy it at Home Depot.

2. SoyStrong Hardwood Plywood is another brand of formaldehyde-free plywood made with a soy-based glue.

You can buy it at Lowes.

How to Offgas Plywood & Seal in the Formaldehyde

1. Give it Time to Air Out

Stack your plywood in a garage or covered area in a way that allows each piece to have some airflow.

Time, heat, and air are the main ways to allow any material to offgas.

2. Seal it

Whether you should seal your plywood partially depends on where it will be going.

If it’s on the interior of your home, then no problem, seal away.

Exterior applications, like wall sheathing and roof decking, are trickier. Wood naturally has the ability to absorb and release moisture. Stopping that natural process could cause problems.

To seal plywood there are a few ways you could go, but the two main options are AFM Safeseal which is a clear acrylic-based coating that helps to block and seal in formaldehyde, or shellac which is an alcohol-based natural wax coating. Shellac does a slightly better job at sealing.

someone brushing on a milky-clear sealant on plywood to seal in the formaldehyde

Alternatives to Plywood, Which Are Less Toxic?

1. Formaldehyde-free plywood is a good non-toxic alternative to regular plywood in most interior applications and in furniture.

2. OSB is often used in place of plywood in structural applications. I don’t consider OSB to be less toxic, as it has higher offgassing and takes longer to come to completion but it’s possible that it works better for some people since the glues are different.

3. XPS foam can replace plywood as wall sheathing (but it’s probably not a good idea in most situations).

4. MgO board can sometimes be used as the subfloor and other sheathings (and I even used it for cabinet boxes and countertop underlayment).

5. Solid wood can replace plywood in some applications, like purlins or skip sheathing on a roof, in subflooring and sheathing, and for cabinet boxes and most furniture.

6. Georgia-Pacific DensGlass can replace plywood sheathing in some areas.

7. Cement board is sometimes used as sheathing, especially in tropical areas. Another concrete-based board, USG Structural Panel, is a thick and very strong board, it is sometimes used on foundation walls when the framing is metal.

8. Drywall, drywall is generally zero-VOC so it is technically less toxic than plywood but there are not many instances where they are interchangeable. If plywood is an option for your walls then you may prefer to use drywall.

Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 7 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.

Did you find this post helpful? If so you can buy me a coffee to support the research behind this blog. Thank you!

Sources

https://pharosproject.net/common-products/2078999#contents-panel

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6723320/

Non-Toxic Sealant for Concrete Birdbaths

November 4, 2021 by Corinne Leave a Comment

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 the only truly non-toxic, no VOC, natural, non-leaching option that I know of that is safe for birds and humans.

While other options like epoxy paint can certainly be safe once fully cured, they are harsh at first for the people applying it and they can take some time to fully cure to get to the point of truly not leaching any chemicals.

This sealant works on most stone and terra-cotta birdbaths as well.

[Read more…]

Choosing a Non-Toxic Plaster

October 13, 2021 by Corinne Leave a Comment

Plaster usually means a material used to coat interior walls while “render” more often refers to external coatings even if it’s the same material. Stucco is another word for an exterior wall coating.

The most common types of plasters have a base of gypsum, lime, cement, or clay.

Clay plasters are not very common anymore since they lack tensile and compressive strength. They are still used in some buildings, most commonly in natural buildings, like in adobe or cob homes. Clay plaster in conventional wood-framed homes was replaced by lime and then by gypsum plaster.

This article will look at the chemical composition of plasters and where you can use each type. Plaster is generally a healthy material no matter the base mineral, but those who are chemically sensitive will want to know which additives each type contains to choose the non-toxic options.

Early versions of many plasters used to contain asbestos fibers, so we want to avoid another mishap like that.

I will also look at non-toxic backers for plaster. Wood or metal lathe used to be common in old homes, but now moisture-absorbing board known as “blue board” has mostly replaced lathe.

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

Gypsum Plaster

What is Gypsum Plaster Made of

Gypsum plaster is made from 95% gypsum, plus fillers and functional additives.

Fillers can include: quartz sand, limestone, dolomite flour, chalk, ash, and perlite.

Additives can include: cellulose or starch ethers, cellulose fibers, citric acid and its salts (sodium citrates), tartaric acid and its salts (sodium tartrates) and more, surfactants (listed here).

Where You Can and Can’t Use Gypsum Plaster

Gypsum plaster can be applied directly on brick, solid or hollow concrete blocks, AAC blocks, and drywall.

Gypsum plaster cannot be used on outdoor walls or in bathrooms due to high moisture levels in those areas.

What You Need to Know About Gypsum Plaster

It is more finicky and less expensive than slaked lime plaster. It also requires fewer coats. It can be tinted.

Gypsum plaster is more expensive than cement mortar plaster (cement and sand mixes) for the same thickness. Though a final layer of gypsum plaster is often used with cement base layers.

Plaster of Paris is a gypsum plaster that is usually tolerable for the chemically sensitive as it’s a very simple non-toxic product. The USG brand comes recommended by sensitive folks and can be found at hardware stores like Home Depot.

Drywall compound like USG Easy Sand 20, are also gypsum-based and are similar to gypsum plaster. Structalite is a base coat of gypsum-based plaster that is commonly used.

Nowadays it’s usually applied over gypsum board, aka drywall. Usually, the type of backer board that is used is colloquially called “blue board”, which is a more textured version of regular drywall. I haven’t seen any difference between blue board and drywall in terms of toxicity.

Sometimes a bonding agent is used like Plasterweld. You don’t need to use that.

Veneer Plaster – This is blue board, with a very thin 1/8-inch layer of plaster applied on top. I have seen samples of this from USG and it seemed fairly benign to me. USG Veneer plaster is highly tolerable for the chemically sensitive, many other people report.

Clay Plaster

What is Clay Plaster Made of

Clay plaster is a mixture of clay, sand, natural pigments, with plant fibers for tensile strength. You mix it with water.

American Clay Plaster brand is made of clay, aggregates, non-toxic mineral pigments, and boric acid.

Where You Can and Can’t Use Clay Plaster

You usually use clay plaster over wood lath. It can be applied to drywall if it has a sand coating as the first coat (see instructions on American Clay Plaster website). It’s not used in wet areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens.

What you Need to Know about Clay Plaster

The earliest European settlers’ homes used clay plaster or a clay-lime plaster mixes. But now it’s gaining in popularity again. While it’s very popular in earthen homes it’s also gaining popularity in regular homes. I used clay plaster in my tiny home on wheels, over my MgO board walls, but you can use it over regular walls if prepped correctly.

I personally love the totally natural feel of clay plaster. Here is a detailed post on my experiences using clay plaster and lime wash in my tiny house.

It comes in powdered form in a range of earthy tones and has a very matte, rough-looking finish.

It’s quite labor-intensive to apply and you need to have some practice with it. If you are very handy taking a short course first might be enough for you to apply it yourself.

To learn more, get yourself a copy of The Natural Plaster Book.

Where to Buy:

In the US through Green Design Center

In Canada via Amazon.ca

Lime Plaster

What is Lime Plaster Made of

Lime plaster is a mixture of calcium hydroxide and usually sand, though other inert fillers can be used.

The plaster “sets” when carbon dioxide in the atmosphere transforms the calcium hydroxide into calcium carbonate (limestone).

To stabilize the lime plaster, some Plaster of Paris (gypsum plaster) often is incorporated into the mix

Where You Can and Can’t Use Lime Plaster

Left unpainted, lime plaster can take on moisture and release it, just like clay plaster. But unlike clay plaster, lime plaster can be used in kitchens and baths (but shouldn’t be exposed directly to water unless it’s the Tadelakt variety). A protective layer of beeswax or Marseilles soap can be added to the plaster for water resistance.

What you need to know about lime plaster

Lime plaster was a common building material for wall surfaces in the lathe and plaster system. The lath is the wooden slats that are the backing for plaster pictured above.

The plaster used in most lath and plaster construction in North America was lime-based.

A modern form of lath is expanded metal mesh over wood or metal structures.

Slaked Lime Plaster

This is what the plaster walls in your great grandparents’ house were probably made of.

Starting with wood lath, a coarse coat of plaster was added first. This first coat is called a “scratch coat”. It’s plaster mixed with shrinkage-preventing aggregates, back in the day that was horsehair. Next is the “brown coat”, which is plaster mixed with sand, and finally a fine skim coat that does not have coarse aggregates.

Hydrated, or slake, lime plaster is made of limestone that has been baked at extreme temperatures. It comes in a putty form, not a dry mix.

It’s pure white in its basic form (brighter whites than clay plaster can achieve), it now comes in a huge range of colors.

Venetian plaster is pigmented slaked lime plaster. What makes Venetian plaster unique compared to other lime plaster is that there are no aggregates mixed in.

Marmorino plaster is when marble dust is added.

Tadelakt

Tadelakt is a type of lime plaster from Morocco. Tadelakt is composed of lime plaster, with calcium aggregate (crushed marble), optional pigments, and black soap made from olives.

When the ingredients are combined, a chemical reaction between the lime and the soap creates a waterproof surface. Tadelakt can be used right in the showers and baths as the walls and on vertical surfaces like countertops and for sinks.

Concrete Plaster

What is Concrete Plaster Made of

The most basic cement plaster (usually called stucco when on the exterior ) is made from Portland Cement, sand, and water.

There are also mixes that are cement, lime aggregates, and water.

Admixtures may be added to it for various purposes including workability.

Where You Can and Can’t use Concrete Plaster

Portland cement plaster is applied either by hand or machine to the exterior and interior walls in two or three coats.

It is applied directly to a masonry or concrete wall (concrete bricks, solid concrete, red bricks) or it could be applied to a metal lath attached to frame construction.

When applied to metal lath, a vapor-permeable, water-resistant building paper is used over the framing.

Concrete plaster is used in much of the world in masonry buildings. It’s applied to all walls of the house, including the bathroom and kitchen walls, and then painted.

What to know about Concrete Plaster

Interior surfaces sometimes are finished with a final layer of gypsum plaster.

Concrete plaster can also be called adamant plaster.

Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 7 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.

Did you find this post helpful? If so you can buy me a coffee to support the research behind this blog. Thank you!

Sources

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1CACkgUJcU
https://www.bayareaplastering.com
https://italianlimeplaster.com
http://www.usg.com/content/dam/USG_Marketing_Communications/united_states/product_promotional_materials/finished_assets/plaster-systems-en-SA920.pdf

Non-Toxic Wood Stains that are Safe for Raised Garden Beds (and are Durable)

September 8, 2021 by Corinne 2 Comments

There are two main ways to go with chemical-free sealants (and stains) for raised garden beds or planters.

The first option is to use a non-toxic water-based stain on the exterior with a safe water-based painted on membrane on the interior of the box. (The water-based stains used on the exterior won’t hold up inside the bed).

The second option is the most food-safe option, which is to use a totally natural penetrating oil on the inside and outside of the garden bed or container garden.

Some of these are only wood stains/sealants and some can be used on concrete and plastic planter boxes as well.

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

three raised garden beds with veggies and a dog sitting in between

1. Non-Toxic Stain & Sealant

Vermont Natural Coatings PolyWhey is a stain and sealant for the exterior of raised garden beds.

a can of vermont natural coatings exterior penetrating wood stain (Polywhey)

This is one of the most durable water-based (non-toxic) wood stain/sealers out there. This is a semi-transparent stain and sealer in one. It is a waterproofer that has some UV resistance (you get more UV resistance the darker you go with the stain color).

It can be used on new wood, pressure-treated wood, and weathered wood. Pressure-treated wood needs 6 months to a year to fully dry before this (or any) sealant is applied. It’s not for use on exotic super dense woods.

It could be applied over older oil-based stains or finishes, as well as water-based finishes if it’s been fully sanded first so that it can penetrate into the wood. No product can go over top of this in exterior applications.

This sealant is non-toxic, low odor, and low-VOC, and does not contain biocides, fungicides, or anti-microbial agents. The pigments act as natural UV inhibitors.

This coating is great for the exterior of raised garden beds with AFM Dynoseal for waterproofing on the interior.

You can buy PolyWhey online at Walmart and sometimes via Amazon.

2. Non-Toxic Invisible Waterproofer

Vermont Natural Coatings Penetrating Waterproofer with Juniper is an invisible-looking option for the exterior of raised planters.

A can of vermont natural coatings penetrating water proofer infused with juniper

This is another water-based sealant. This is a penetrating sealer that does not form a film on the surface; therefore it leaves the wood looks totally bare after applying it.

This sealant provides waterproofing but it does not provide any UV or abrasion resistance. The wood will gray out naturally from UV exposure.

It is used on the exterior of planters, and like all water-based sealants and paints, it is not suitable for subterranean or submerged wood.

For the inside of the planter, you will need a product that can resist moisture and prevent rotting – use AFM Dynoseal for this purpose.

It can be used on new wood, weathered wood, as well as pressure-treated wood. For pressure-treated wood allow 6-12 months for drying out before applying this sealant. It can work on teak and other oily woods and it is a good choice for cedar, pine, spruce, and fir.

It cannot go over or under another product.

It is zero-VOC and contains no solvents, dyes, biocides, or fungicides.

You can buy Penetrating Sealer From Walmart and you can sometimes find it via Amazon.

3. A Non-Toxic Waterproofer for Inside the Beds

AFM DynoSeal is a non-toxic water-proofing membrane for the interior of garden beds.

For the interior of the bed, the most durable non-toxic coating is AFM SafeCoat DynoSeal.

You paint it on and when it’s dry it acts as a waterproofing membrane that prevents moisture intrusion from the soil into the wood (preventing rot) and it stops tannins or chemical treatments in the wood from leaching into the soil and getting to the plant’s roots.

You can use this on the inside of planters made of wood, plastic, or concrete. It’s not for use on the outside of the planters, it doesn’t hold up to UV light and doesn’t look great either.

The partial ingredient list is: Acrylic Copolymer Emulsion and Pigment Dispersion. It’s listed at 19 g/l VOCs.

On the exterior, you can use PolyWhey, Penetrating Sealer with Juniper (listed above), or tung oil, linseed oil, or paint (listed below).

Buy DynoSeal from Green Design Center.

4. All-Natural Tung Oil Sealant

Outdoor Defense Oil is an all-natural tung, pine, and zinc mix that can be used for the interior and exterior of planters.

A jug of Outdoor Defence Oil by the Real Milk Paint company

Pure tung oil is an all-natural product. The brand I use contains no synthetic, metallic, or other harmful additives.

It is non-toxic, and safe to use on organic garden structures that have contact with food supplies, including raised garden beds, chicken coops, and greenhouses.

Tung oil is very durable for a natural oil. It’s by far the most durable of the natural penetrating oils which is why it can be used on the inside as well as the outside of the garden bed. It seals moisture out of wood and its elastic properties help it hold up to movement and temperature changes. It’s very durable to mold.

Outdoor Defense Oil is an all-natural oil sealer made from pure tung oil, pine oil, and zinc.

You can also use this over Milk Paint to protect it from the elements or you can mix (some types of) pigments into the tung oil. Milk Paint should be used only on the exterior of the planter.

You can use this on all wood types. Extremely dense woods such as teak and ipe, etc may require thinning with more (natural) solvent. Because it needs to penetrate the wood it does not go over new oil-based sealers/stains or other finishes. You can use it over aged penetrating oil finishes (like aged linseed oil).

Some highly chemically sensitive folks have preferred these natural oil coatings to synthetic coatings like PolyWhey (others would find the opposite preferable).

Always test for your own tolerance and I would recommend not using or being exposed to the natural solvents used with tung oil (pine oil or citrus oil) when they are wet if you are sensitive.

Buy it through the Real Milk Company. You can use code mychemicalfreehouse for 10% off.

PS. To clean tung oiled wood, you can use gentle soaps, but some non-toxic cleaners can damage it – this post goes over the best options.

PPS. My in-depth look at tung and linseed oils goes into more detail on what these oils offgas.

5. Linseed Oil Stain & Sealant

Rubio Monocoat linseed-based stain & sealer can be used on the exterior of planters.

A can of Rubio Monocoat Hybrid Wood Protector

Rubio Monocoat Hybrid Wood Protector is a modified linseed oil and wax penetrating oil finish that is applied with just one coat.

This product is for exterior use, it provides protection from water and UV (except for the color “Pure” which has no UV protection).

It works well over almost all wood types including oily exotic woods (ipe, teak, etc).

It is solvent-free, technically zero-VOC because it’s a natural product. (Though see my in-depth review of Rubio Monocoat and other linseed oils for information on naturally occurring VOCs).

Rubio Monocoat is preferred to plain linseed oil in many ways because it’s lower in odor than the other brands. You need a part B accelerator, be sure to test that out as well.

You can buy it directly through their website.

6. Non-Toxic Paints

AFM or ECOS non-toxic paints can be used on the exterior of raised garden beds.

a can of AFM safecoat exterior satin paint

If you have older planters start by sanding off any rough areas or peeling paint and then prime the surface with AFM SafeCoat Transitional Primer. Next, paint the surface with AFM Safecoat Exterior Satin Paint.

Painting ultimately gives you the best protection against UV damage and other natural elements.

If you go with the painted option, you can’t use any penetrating sealant or oil-based stain and sealer over or under the painted surface.

If you prefer ECOS Paint brand you can use their exterior paints and primers.

Buy AFM paints via Green Design Center, ECOS Paints via their website.

What I wouldn’t use:

“Teak oil” – any mix that contains tung and/or linseed with unknown ingredients or metallic driers would not be safe on the interior side next to the growing food.
Linseed oil on the interior of the planter beds/container garden. It’s just not durable enough to hold up in here. Also linseed oil with driers would not be safe on the inside of the planter.
Hemp oil or walnut oil – while you can use these two other penetrating drying oils on the exterior side they are not nearly as durable as linseed or tung oil. I would not be keen to use these outdoors.
Jojoba oil – this is not a drying oil, it’s not a good finish for exterior wood.
Milk Paint without a super durable topcoat is not going to hold up outside.

Conclusion, Top Picks:

Water-Based Options:

On the inside of the planter: Waterproof it with AFM DynoSeal

Outside (clear or stain look): Vermont PolyWhey

Outside (invisible natural wood look): Vermont Juniper

Outside (painted look): AFM or ECOS Paints

All-Natural Oil Options

On the inside of the planter: Tung oil with zinc

Outside (no stain): Tung oil with zinc

Outside (with stain colors): Rubio Monocoat

Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 7 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.

Did you find this post helpful? If so you can buy me a coffee to support the research behind this blog. Thank you!

Healthy exteriors/gardens

1. Natural Penetrating Oil

Penetrating Oil Exterior Log finish

Stains for Natural Oil Finishes

Interior Penetrating Oil Log Finish

2. Low-VOC Synthetic Coating

Low-VOC Exterior Log Finish

Low-VOC Interior Log Finish

Spray Paint Types

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

Why Does Spray Paint Contain a Prop 65 Warning?

What Should You Look for in a Non-Toxic Spray Paint:

Non-Toxic Water-Based Spray Paints

1. Pintyplus Water-Based Spray Paints

Aqua Spray Paint (For Crafting)

Pinty Plus Chalk Finish

Pinty Plus Evolution

Pinty Plus HOME

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

3. Montana Colors Water-Based Spray Paint

4. Evolve Agua Water-Based Spray Paint

5. Simply Spray Upholstery Fabric Paint

Low-Odor Solvent-Based Spray Paint

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

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

Rust-Oleum Metallic

Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch 2X Ultra Cover

Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte Sprays

Stops Rust Protective Enamel (US name), aka Premium Metal Protection (in other parts of the world)

3. Krylon

Non-Toxic Spray Applied Paint (Alternatives to Aerosol Spray Paint)

1. Chalk or Chalked Paint

2. AFM MetalCoat Primer

3. ECOS Universal Primer

Food-Safe Spray Paint

1. Vermont Natural Coatings & Böhme – Terra Plus Exterior Deck Stain

2. Penetrating Water Proofer Infused With Juniper

3. PolyWhey Exterior Penetrating Wood Stain

4. AFM Safecoat EXT Exterior Polyureseal

5. Milk Paint Outdoor Defense Oil

6. Monocoat Hybrid Exterior Wood Protector

Top Picks for Exterior Wood Stains:

What is Plywood?

Where is Plywood Used in a House?

Myths About Plywood

Which Chemicals Offgas from Plywood

Types of Plywood and Their Glues

Structural Plywood

Product Certification Levels for Formaldehyde

Furniture Grade Plywood

Formaldehyde-Free Plywood

How to Offgas Plywood & Seal in the Formaldehyde

Alternatives to Plywood, Which Are Less Toxic?

Gypsum Plaster

What You Need to Know About Gypsum Plaster

Clay Plaster

What you Need to Know about Clay Plaster

Lime Plaster

What you need to know about lime plaster

Slaked Lime Plaster

Tadelakt

Concrete Plaster

What to know about Concrete Plaster

1. Non-Toxic Stain & Sealant

2. Non-Toxic Invisible Waterproofer

3. A Non-Toxic Waterproofer for Inside the Beds

4. All-Natural Tung Oil Sealant

5. Linseed Oil Stain & Sealant

6. Non-Toxic Paints

What I wouldn’t use:

Conclusion, Top Picks:

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