When choosing eco-friendly paints, green isn't just a color but a way of life. Using environmental paint can help people create a less toxic environment indoors and out. Traditional paints have high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are responsible for that strong smell in a newly painted room. These chemicals can also be released into the air in a warm room, allowing for easy toxin inhalation.

Working from an eco-friendly paints list when you build or remodel your business will be welcomed by your customers and employees. In addition, information on eco-friendly paints is increasingly available and there are more options and colors to choose from now than ever before. You can even use environmentally safe options when stripping old paint or stain from walls and furniture.

When trying to find eco-friendly paints, investigate the following options:

1. Get natural results from old fashioned milk paint.

2. Look for indoor environmental paint in a wide range of colors.

3. Shop for eco-friendly paints for exterior surfaces.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use eco-friendly milk paint for a traditional formula with no VOCs

One option for interior eco-friendly jobs is to use milk paint, a traditional formula for basic paint. You can find milk paint online through specialty retailers and can purchase it in relatively small quantities by the gallon. Despite its name, milk paint comes in a wide selection of vivid colors.

I recommend: Old-Fashioned Milk Paint and The Real Milk Paint Co. are two well-known environmental paint providers that sell organic milk paint in a number of colors. Old-Fashioned Milk Paint also sells milk-based SafePaint, which is ideal for interior painting. Traditional milk paint and SafePaint are fully non-toxic and contain no VOCs.

Browse an eco-friendly paints list for the indoor color you want

No matter what color you're looking for, an eco-friendly paints provider is likely to have a pallet to suit your needs. Interior paints that are non-toxic and have no VOCs are becoming much more widespread, so you don't have to make color or quality compromises to get your desired results.

I recommend: YOLO Colorhouse and The Freshaire Choice both offer a wide selection of eco-friendly paint colors. Both companies take formula precautions to make their paints safe for people, pets and the environment.

Breathe easier with eco-friendly paints for exterior use

Eco-friendly paints can also be used on exterior surfaces. Exterior environmentally friendly paints have similar features to interior paints-- low to no toxicity and no VOCs--but have additional components to make them more durable in outdoor conditions.

I recommend: Eco-Wise sells EnviroSafe exterior satin paint, and Mythic non-toxic paint for exterior surfaces is available in satin or semi-gloss finish. Be aware that exterior eco-friendly paints are relatively expensive, running between about $200 and $300 for a five-gallon can.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Publicize your use of eco-friendly paints. Provide your customers and employees with eco-friendly paints information to let them know you care about their health. Especially if your work environment is frequented by children, animals or pregnant mothers, don't be shy about advertising your environmentally safe decisions.