Paint Your Wagon Green

Growing Up Green
May 2010

Ready to freshen up your home's munchkin zone with a new coat of paint? The good news is that finding a paint that won't compromise indoor air quality has never been easier. Thanks to stricter regulation and consumer demand, companies have reformulated paint products to reduce VOCs, which are a class of chemicals that can cause indoor pollution. Low or no-VOC paints also claim to be low odor -another great benefit.  So what do you need to know in addition to counting VOCs to choose a safer paint for your family and the environment?  

Every VOC counts.

Look for paints that have 50 g/liter of VOC content or less. Manufacturers measure VOC content before colorants are added, and they often contain VOCs of their own. So to minimize VOCs, make sure to ask the paint dealer about the VOC content of their pigments. Many brands have certain color ranges that have reduced or no VOCs.  

What do the different "green" certifications mean?

Some paint brands promote their green cred on their cans, highlighting certifications that are self-awarded or from independent groups. Look for third-party certifications including Green Seal and Green Wise. A great selection of these paints is available at Ecohaus. They have stores in Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco and the brands are available nationwide.  

Use high quality, durable paint.

A paint job that lasts years is better for the environment. Repainting after only a short time is a waste of resources, energy, and money! Research to make sure you have the right paint for the job, and consider ConsumerReports or other rankings to help evaluate products. 

Test for your tolerance.

If you are chemically sensitive, purchase a quart of the paint you are considering and paint a test area. If the odor doesn't bother you, you can feel more confident about painting a whole room.  

Take care of mildew at its source before you paint.

Increase ventilation and lower humidity in problem areas. It's important to thoroughly clean existing mildew before painting over it. For info on mold and mildew cleanup and prevention, look here. Many paints include fungicides and mildewcides to inhibit fungus and mold growth. Check the MSDS sheet or ask the manufacturer to verify the ingredients. Ecohaus offers brands that do not include these chemical additives.

Prep precaution.

Be very careful with old lead paint when remodeling. Hire a contractor certified in lead abatement to remove it for you. A list of contractors in Washington is available here. When sanding or removing even lead-free paint, wear a dust mask or respirator and keep the area well ventilated since this process can generate carcinogenic crystalline silica dust.

Store paint properly so it doesn't go to waste.

Keep all paint products in their original containers. Cover the top with plastic wrap, ensure the lid is securely closed and store it upside down, which keeps the paint fresh by creating an airtight seal. Store your paint like you'd store a fine wine, not too hot and not too cold.  Freezing paint will dramatically reduce its usefulness. 

Disposal.