How to Make Natural Paint
78Up until the discovery of petrolatum and the introduction of toxic chemicals, paints were created using natural ingredients such as: linseed oil, lime, casein from milk, turpentine, citrus oils, chalk and hemp oil.
Natural pigments were also used to color the paint. However, this is not the case anymore.
Although major paint manufacturers are now producing more environmentally friendly paints, a good majority of them can still contain more than 450 hazardous substances, mainly voc's.
Voc's (Volatile Organic Compounds) belong to a family of chemicals that evaporate quickly and leave an undesirable odor such as toluene, xylene and formaldehyde.
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Toluene
Toluene, also known as methyl-benzene or phenylmethane is a clear, water-insoluble liquid and is derived from the tropical Columbian tree Myroxylon Balsamum. Low levels also occur naturally in crude oil.
Toluene is typically found in paints, paint thinners, chemical reactants, rubber, printing ink, adhesives, lacquers, leather tanners and disinfectants. The toxic fumes enter the human body through vapor evaporation and soil contamination.
Long term effects of deliberately inhaling toluene can cause an array of damage, mostly to the brain. Low exposure can also have side effects, especially to women who are pregnant.
Xylene
Xylene is a highly flammable solvent that is used in the printing, rubber and leather industries. It is a colorless sweet smelling liquid that is often inhaled deliberately because of it's intoxicating properties. It can be found, among others, in paint, paint thinners and varnishes.
Xylene is very toxic to the brain causing a variety of symptoms depending on the levels of exposure. It can cause headaches, confusion, skin and eye irritation, difficulty in breathing and at very high levels can cause death.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a toxic gas used predominantly in the embalming industry to preserve human remains and fix the tissues. Textile industries use it on fabric to maintain crease resistance. It is also used by paint manufactured.
Formaldehyde can trigger allergies, asthma, irritate the eyes and cause headaches. It is a known toxin, allergen and carcinogen.
Oil paints are the worst offenders, containing up to 60% of voc's while water-based latex can carry up to 10%. Wood stains can also be just as toxic. Fumes can trigger allergies, asthma and disorders of the nervous system. They are also responsible, in part, to ground levels of smog.
Reducing any ill symptoms due to voc's can be as simple as choosing eco-friendly varieties or making your own.
Create you own!
So, if you'd rather not use chemically laden paints, then whip up your own batch using the recipes below. Have fun!
Milk Paint Recipe #1
1 Quart skim milk (room temperature)
1 Once of hydrated lime by weight ( Do not use quick lime)
1 to 2 1/2 pounds of chalk may also be added as a filler.
Stir together milk and lime to form a smooth paste. Add color pigment of your choice and apply with a natural bristle brush. Allow first coat to dry sufficiently before applying another. Finish off with an oil finish if desitred.
Milk Paint Recipe #2
One Gallon Skim Milk
Two Cups Builders Lime (Do NOT use Quick Lime)
One Quart Linseed Oil (the boiled type)
1/2 Cup of Salt
Dye (Color) add in as needed
Mix all ingredients together and strain through a cheesecloth. Use within a day or two.
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Milk Paint Recipe #3
Powdered Skim Milk
Water
Food Coloring
Mix just enough pwoder and water to create the consistency of paint. Add food coloring of your choice or make a tincture with various herbs and vegetables. Strain through a cheesecloth.
Check Out More Kids Paint Recipes!
- Homemade Paint for Kids
Most kids love to paint and although there are quite a few paint options out there at stores, there is nothing quite like homemade paint.
Flour Finger Paint
Materials
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons salt
- Saucepan
- 1 1/2 cups cold water
- Wire whisk or eggbeater
- 1 1/4 cups hot water
- Food coloring or powdered tempera paint
Mix the flour and salt in the saucepan. Beat in the cold water until the mixture is smooth. Mix in the hot water and boil the mixture until it's thick, then beat it again until it's smooth. Tint the paint however you like with food coloring or powdered tempera paint. Cover the paint and refrigerate it for storage.
Environmentally Friendly Paint Companies
- http://www.farrow-ball.com/
This company was founded by chemists John Farrow and Richard Ball in the 1930's in a little town called Dorset, England. They built their reputation by manufacturing paints using the finest raw materials and maintaining traditional formulations.
- Milk Paint Samples
Gallagher's Milk Paint distributes sample kits of Genuine Old Fashioned Home Made Milk Paint. Our 1 oz. sample sizes are perfect for new users who wish to try Milk Paint for the first time
- Old Fashioned Milk Paint
Milk Paint is now gaining an even wider usage because it contains only ingredients that are all-natural and will not harm the environment. Our authentic real milk paint is truely a "green paint".
- http://www.eco-house.com/
Eco House Inc takes great pride in offering consumers products that are manufactured with minimal environmental impact, renewable natural raw material when possible, while offering the highest health safety standards.
- AFM Safecoat
AFM has become the only company in the world to offer a complete line of chemically responsible, non-polluting paint and building products that not only meet the highest performance standards.
- Hempola
Hempola Valley Farms store offers a wide variety of hemp products from soaps to salad dressings, paper to clothing and yes, even wood finishes.
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Comments
Amazing hub I never thought about making paint it is one of those things you just go and buy and never consider that with a little thought you can make your own. Thanks
This is really interesting. Great hub.
Thank you very much - I love to do whatever I can naturally :o)
That seems to be easy.
Just wonderful, Chantel! This will set me off on a delightful, natural route to finger paints!
Fantastic hub. Thanks for this. I'm going to give it a go and make my own paint.








Blueassea says:
5 months ago
well i will have to try doing my own paint will try on one of my old dressers