One of the first things my wife and I did when we took possession of our new (old!) home was to repaint everything. Cleaning, patching, and painting the walls (and some cabinetry!) made a huge difference to a dark, tired space. And, naturally, we chose zero-VOC paint for every room.
Almost all paint manufacturers now offer at least one low- or zero-VOC paint. These paints used to be considered inferior and expensive. These days, though, newer formulations mean zero-VOC paints are:
- More durable
- More cost-effective
- Easy to apply
- Great for coverage
- Better for the planet
- Better for indoor air quality
- Easier to dispose of and recycle.
Gone are the days when you had to air out your home to let toxic paints off-gas for days or weeks.
Here are the best zero-VOC paints around.
Our top picks
ECOS Paints
Highlights: Wide range of zero-VOC, eco-friendly paints, with great coverage and some genuinely air purifying paint options! Excellent options for chicken coops and doghouses!
- Zero-VOC with DECLARE label
- Self-priming
- Washable and durable
- Great coverage!
- Wide variety of colors available
- Air purifying paint options
- Lots of applications: wall, ceiling, trim, exterior, decks, chicken coops!
- Contains vinyl acetate
- More expensive than other brands
At a glance:
Cost (for Eggshell): $43.55 Quart • $88.75 Gallon • first 8 paint cards FREE, $0.25 ea. for additional cards
Certifications: No
Colors: 100+
Paint type: Exterior and interior paint
VOCs: 0
ECOS Paint is VOC-free and made in the U.S. The company is very transparent about what’s in every can of paint and offers safety data sheets and tech specs for everything it sells.
All ECOS products are free from:
- Algicides
- Mildewcides
- Rust-inhibitors
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
ECOS was also the first U.S. paint manufacturer to complete the third party verified Health Product Declaration (HPD) for LEED v4 and has a DECLARE label, as administered by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI).
These paints are water-based with acrylic and vinyl acetate and are odorless and non-toxic, though not entirely natural. The preservative is pyrithione, without zinc, which may be less hazardous overall than other common paint preservatives (MIT and BIT).
ECOS Paints has a reputation for giving greater coverage than other paint brands, which is good because the price tag is higher per gallon than many competitors.
ECOS Paint also offers Air Purifying (VOC-absorbing) paint that contains zeolite. The company published third-party test results to prove their efficacy. In one round of testing, the paint removed 76% of total VOCs, rising to 90% removal at higher temperatures!
Check out all ECOS Paints SDS, LEED certification, and test results here.
ECOS Paints also offers one of the biggest ranges in terms of paint applications and colors and offers a color matching service. There are more than 1,300 color options to choose from currently.
Clare Paint
Highlights: Zero-VOC, non-toxic, affordable paint in recycled resin cans. Great color range!
- Very affordable
- Zero-VOC and certified
- Self-priming
- Washable and durable
- Packaged in recycled materials
- Made by a sustainable company
- Gorgeous, modern and traditional color options
- Low-cost peelable swatches available
- More colors!
At a glance:
Cost: $74 Gallon • $28 Quart • $3 Swatch
Certifications: Greenguard Gold, LEED qualified
Colors: 60+
Paint type: Exterior and interior paint
VOCs: less than 2 g/L for wall, trim, and ceiling paint and less than 3 g/L for primer
Clare is a top choice for zero-VOC paint because all of the company’s paint is eco-friendly, non-toxic, and sustainably made. Clare offers Greenguard Gold certified and LEED compliant water-based interior paint and exterior paint.
We also love that Clare goes the extra step to package paint in cans made with recycled resin and to use recycled, FSC certified paper and card for other packaging.
Clare offers a wide range of gorgeous colors, with peel and stick swatches available. And Clare is a sustainably minded company founded by a woman of color.
Clare paint is acrylic latex and is made without any chemicals on the EPA’s chemicals of concern list. The company includes the full list of ingredients on its labels and offers safety data sheets and tech specs on its website.
Clare only uses zero-VOC colorants in paint, meaning it isn’t just greenwashing by citing a zero-VOC base paint and then adding VOCs through pigments.
Other things to love about Clare include its energy efficient factory where waste reduction is top of mind. Clare:
- Treats and recycles water for reuse
- Uses recycled and FSC certified packing materials
- Offers paint containers, trays, and liners made with recycled materials.
Choose from more than 60 colors or, if you’re not sure, order a $2 swatch pack of peel-and-stick color squares. You can reuse these and move them around as needed and could even turn these into wall decals once they’ve served their original purpose!
Green Planet Paints
Highlights: Totally natural, non-toxic, zero-VOC paint free from biocides and preservatives. Made with clay, mineral pigments, and sustainably sourced soy-based resins.
- Very affordable! Prices haven’t changed in years!
- Zero-VOC and mostly natural
- Made with 90% renewable or recycled materials
- Washable and durable
- Self-priming
- USDA Bio-Preferred
- Hand-painted color card fan-deck available!
- Hard to find in stores
- Inconsistent info on website
At a glance:
Cost: $64.99 Gallon • $21.99 Quart • $49.99 per hand-painted fan-deck or $6 for 48 color cards
Certifications: LEED qualified
Colors: 60+
Paint type: Exterior and interior paint
VOCs: 0.08g/L
Green Planet Paints is a smaller company offering truly zero-VOC paints mostly made with sustainably sourced natural materials (90%). The company deliberately avoids petroleum-based and toxic ingredients and instead uses plant-based material binders and additives. Many of these are taken from plant waste stream materials for a lower overall environmental footprint.
Green Planet Paints uses mineral pigments to tint its paints in a low-energy process. The resulting paints are safe, non-toxic, durable, and have a more natural color palette than most paint companies’ offerings. This is the Renaissance Palette which includes 48 standard colors, some new colors, and an option to color-match for a fee.
Unlike most paint companies that print their color cards, Green Planet Paints actually paints its fan-decks by hand! This does mean they cost $48 (GPP sells these at a loss, though). For a cheaper option, choose the $6 printed color cards instead. See both here.
Green Planet Paints are free of:
- Isothiazolinones
- Parabens
- Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
- Bronopols.
The paint is a soy-based poly acrylic and is vegan, pet-friendly, child-friendly, and planet-friendly.
Green Planet Paint also claim that their paints can improve indoor air quality by more than 50%. I asked them about this, and a company spokesperson said they are bound by an NDA with the company that did the testing, so they can’t currently release test results or further information.
Green Planet Paints can get you up to 5 LEED points for any LEED project, are truly zero-VOC even when tinted, may improve air quality, and are easy to apply.
Real Milk Paint Co.
Highlights: Organic, powder-based paint you mix at home! Kid-safe, pet-safe, non-toxic, biodegradable and food-contact safe. Zero-VOC, with a lower carbon footprint (less liquid to transport!)
- 100% organic and non-toxic
- Food contact safe
- Zero-VOC
- Can be used for outdoor projects
- Large color range
- Compostable!
- Not vegan (obviously)
- Requires mixing
- Three year shelf life as powder / two weeks only once mixed
- Naturally porous – needs sealing to resist grease stains etc.
- Slight odor (dissipates quickly and non-toxic)
At a glance:
Cost: $69.99 Gallon • $29.99 Quart • $4.50 for 1 Oz Seconds for $9.99 per Quart
Certifications: No
Colors: 56+
Paint type: Exterior and interior paint (powder to mix)
VOCs: 0
The Real Milk Paint Company offers (cow’s milk protein) casein-based paint powder you mix with water at home to create liquid paint that mostly works like conventional interior paints. You can also use milk paint for furniture and art projects as it is 100% organic and non-toxic, food contact safe, and zero-VOC. With some extra care, you can also use milk paint for outdoor projects, and RMP offers excellent advice on how to use its products effectively.
Every pot of Real Milk Paint has a marble in the bottom, beneath the bag of powder. This helps to mix the powder with water to avoid grittiness and clumps. If you use a smaller container to mix your paint, transfer the marble for better mixing!
RMP offers 56 colors of milk paint, but you can also mix powders to create your own unique colors at home. The finish is matte and rustic, rather than glossy, and it will crackle if painted over previously finished surfaces. As such, you’ll want to prepare your wall, furniture, or other surface appropriately before applying milk paint. Again, RMP offers advice on how to do this.
The paint powder has a three-year shelf life. Once you’ve mixed the powder with water, the paint remains stable in liquid form for at least two weeks. Mix smaller amounts for smaller projects, and dispose of any leftover paint in compost or at a recycling depot. Clean-up is easy; use soap and water!
RMP sells OOPS Milk Paint for a massive discount ($10 instead of $30 for a quart). This paint powder didn’t quite match its current color offerings, so you can snag it for a fraction of the price, save the extra from going to landfill, and still get gorgeous natural colors for your project.
Note that milk paint is naturally porous and can absorb grease, dirt, and stains. You can, however, seal milk paint with special wax, finishing creams, or even hemp oil or tung oil, all of which RMP sells.
This paint is zero-VOC but does have a slight odor at first. The smell dissipates very fast, within minutes or a few hours and isn’t harmful to health. This paint comprises:
- Casein
- Hydrated Lime
- Proprietary natural filler derived from plants
- Iron Oxides (various)
- Silica.
RMP paint isn’t vegan (obviously) and a gallon only covers about 280 sq. ft., which is less than most liquid paints.
Bioshield Paint
Highlights: Zero-VOC, mostly natural clay paint with good coverage and low odor. A little trickier to apply but a good paint option for folks with MCS.
- Zero-VOC (but not certified as such)
- Non-toxic, eco-friendly paint
- Good coverage
- Plastic-free, clay-based formula!
- Self-priming and spatter resistant
- Needs a sealing coat for use in areas that might get wet
- Not well suited to bathrooms or kitchens
- Not suited for high-clean areas like playrooms/mud-rooms
- Harder to apply than conventional paint
- Unspecified preservative used
- Price has nearly doubled in recent years
At a glance:
Cost (for Eggshell): $50 Quart • $105 Gallon • $11 for 4 Oz sample
Certifications: None
Colors: 48
Paint type: Exterior and interior paint, primer
VOCs: 0
BioShield offers eco-friendly paints that are genuinely zero-VOC and made, as much as possible, with natural and easily renewable materials. These paints are available in 48 natural colors, ranging from soft to vibrant. The clay paints are low-odor and non-toxic and offer coverage at around 300-400 square feet per gallon.
Bioshield clay paint comprises:
- Water
- Clay and Porcelain Clay
- Chalk
- Alcohol Ester (as a binder)
- Cellulose
- Pigments
- Preservative (unspecified).
The solvent-free paint has very similar ingredients: Water, Chalk, Asbestos-Free Talcum, Titanium Dioxide, Polyphosphate (a water softener), Cellulose, Alcohol Ester (PVA or EVA), Sodium Hydroxide, and Preservative (again, unspecified).
I’ve asked the company for details of the preservative but haven’t had a response. I suspect that it is either MIT or BIT; Benzisothiazolinone or methylisothiazolinone. These are often included in cleaning products and paints, and are generally considered safe when used according to instructions. However, they can cause respiratory irritation and serious eye irritation with accidental exposure.
Bioshield Clay Paint does not contain:
- Acrylic copolymers
- Formaldehyde
- Ammonia
- Ethylene glycol
- Toxic solvents
- Toxic heavy metals.
You can use these paints on most interior surfaces, including drywall, plaster, previously painted walls, and masonry. They’re not intended for use in areas that are often exposed to water, such as in bathrooms or the kitchen. If you do use them in these spaces, use an appropriate sealing product once the clay paint is fully dry.
It’s best to apply most Bioshield Clay Paint with a brush, though there are some solvent-free paints that can be used with a roller.
Clay paint can also accumulate grease and other dirt, so these paints aren’t the best choice for walls you might need to clean regularly, such as in a nursery, playroom, or room where muddy dogs tend to shake.
The clay paints are self-priming, spatter resistant, and have a high hiding capacity.
We’ve knocked off a leaf for Bioshield because these clay paints are more finicky to use and have unspecified preservatives. The price is also significantly higher now than just a couple of years ago, making these rather expensive paints overall.
Backdrop Paint
Highlights: Green Wise certified low-VOC (not zero-VOC!) paint in a smartly designed ergonomic and recyclable stainless steel can. Curated colors and a charitable company that is climate neutral certified.
- Low-VOC and Green Wise certified
- Self-priming
- Climate Neutral company
- Washable and durable
- Carefully curated colors
- Recyclable and eco-friendly packaging
- Not zero-VOC
- Contains titanium dioxide which is hazardous as dust when sanded
At a glance:
Cost (for Eggshell): $85 Gallon • $35 fan-deck, $6 color card
Certifications: Green Wise certified low-VOC, Climate Neutral
Colors: 82
Paint type: Exterior and interior paint, primer
VOCs: max of 50g/L for paint, 100g/L for primer
Backdrop is the first climate-neutral certified paint company (as of 2020) and offers Green Wise certified low-VOC paints. These paints meet the stringent air quality standards set by California’s South Coast Air Management Office but they aren’t strictly zero-VOC and can contain up to 50g/L VOCs for the paints and up to 100g/L for the primers. As such, you’ll still want to ensure good ventilation and time to air out when using Backdrop paint.
Unlike most paint, Backdrop paint comes in recyclable stainless steel cans. The redesigned can:
- Won’t rust
- Has a wide mouth
- Has an ergonomic handle for easier pouring
- Doesn’t require a tool for opening.
The eco-friendly packaging is also made of compostable Green Cell Foam.
Backdrop has already won awards for its packaging and its millennial-friendly color options. It gets great reviews for performance and ease of application and offers a handy paint calculator on its website.
You can also purchase all your essential painting supplies at Backdrop.
Backdrop aims to be different by carefully curating around 80 colors instead of bamboozling you with thousands of options. It also offers wallpaper!
The paints themselves are all water-based (latex) made with acrylic resins and pigments. They are also free of animal-derived ingredients and haven’t been tested on animals, making them vegan-friendly paints.
There’s a charitable side to Backdrop too, with the company donating a portion of profits to the humanitarian charity The International Rescue Committee.
FAQs
If you have a big paint spill, the best way to clean it up is to absorb the paint with cat litter or sand. For non-toxic paint, you can let it dry out, then dispose of this in household trash. For hazardous paint, wear gloves during clean-up and seal the paint and absorbent material in a large container, then take to your local recycling or garbage depot for safe disposal.
Common paint preservatives include isothiazolinones (methyl- or benz; MIT or BIT) and pyrithione zinc. MIT and BIT are hazardous, though mainly as skin irritants, not when bound in paint used with proper protective gear. Pyrithione zinc also has some health hazards but is the active ingredient in some dandruff shampoos! In Europe, pyrithione zinc is now banned.