Best VOC Free Paint

Benefits of Using VOC-Free Paint in Your Home

Choosing VOC-free paint offers a range of health and environmental benefits. Brands like Earthborn, Lakeland, Airlite, and Little Knights produce paints that not only avoid harmful emissions but also help regulate indoor humidity by absorbing excess moisture. This can make a noticeable difference for people with allergies or asthma, creating a healthier living environment.

VOC-free paints are non-toxic, making them ideal for nurseries, children’s bedrooms, and even furniture. They’re safe for both kids and pets. Additionally, Earthborn and Lakeland paints are cruelty-free and vegan-friendly—although it’s worth noting that three specific ranges in the Earthborn collection are not vegan.

What Are VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)?

Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. They’re commonly released as gases from household items like paints, cleaning products, carpets, and furniture.

Some of the most common VOCs found in homes include formaldehyde, acetone, ammonia, methyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, toluene, xylene, and benzene.

The release of VOCs into the air can vary depending on factors like temperature, humidity, and ventilation. Warmer temperatures and poor ventilation can increase the concentration of these harmful toxins indoors, potentially posing serious health risks.

Health Effects of VOC Exposure

Exposure to VOCs can lead to a range of health issues, including a runny nose, sore throat, burning eyes, headaches, and dizziness. Long-term exposure may cause more serious problems, such as liver and kidney damage and central nervous system disorders, and may trigger allergies or asthma. Some VOCs are known to cause cancer in animals, and certain types are suspected or confirmed to be carcinogenic to humans.

Because VOC-related symptoms often mimic those of a cold or flu, it can be hard to identify the true cause. If your symptoms improve when you leave your home, it may be a sign that VOCs are affecting your health.

Best VOC fREE pAINT

Little Knights VOC Free Paint

The Little Knights VOC free paint contains antibacterial properties, preventing mould and mildew growth, and is allergy-free, making it an ideal choice for people who suffer from allergies. In addition, their VOC free paint is free of carcinogens and harmful chemicals.

VOC Rating: 100% VOC-free

Certification: Antibacterial additive approved by Health & Safety Executive, Biocidal Products Regulations, Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration.

Benefits

Non-allergic.
Antibacterial.
Anti-mould.
Absorbs formaldehyde from the air.

Airlite Low VOC Paint

Airlite is a unique paint that neutralises pollutants and chemical vapours in the air, and it has the same air-purifying effect as 100 square metres of trees by reducing indoor and outdoor air pollution by 88%. Furthermore, Airlite prevents the growth of bacteria and mould, which is especially beneficial for people with respiratory illnesses such as asthma. Alite manufacturers state that “Airlite’s ecological paint naturally generates negative ions on the surface where it is applied, creating a habitat where no polluting or toxic substances for human health develop”.

VOC Rating: 0.1 gram per litre of paint.

Certification: French VOC Regulation, Zero VOC, Cradle to Cradle (Gold), Friendly Materials and Green Seal.

Benefits

Eliminates exhaust gas, harmful chemicals, bad smells and formaldehyde.
Eliminate viruses and bacteria and prevent moulds.
Makes the wall breathe.
Regulates humidity and heat.
Self-cleaning.
Purifies the air.

Earthborn Virtually VOC Free Paint

Earthborn paints have almost no VOCs. Earthborn states, “The VOC content of Earthborn paints are very low, so we label them virtually VOC free”. In addition to being cruelty-free, Earthborn paints are mostly vegan-friendly, except for three ranges.

Allergy and asthma sufferers benefit from Earthborn paints because the ingredients are selected to avoid known allergens, and the paints’ moisture-absorbing properties stabilise the humidity in the room. Also, clay paint emits negative ions, which are known to promote wellbeing.

VOC Rating: Virtually VOC Free – Trace levels.

Certification: as being safe to use on children’s furniture and toys too, carrying the Safety of Toys Standard (EN71-3).

Benefits

No known allergens – allergy and asthma sufferers.
Moisture absorbing qualities evens out humidity.
Helps to destroy airborne odours and contaminants.
Emits negative ions, which benefit wellbeing.
Productsare not tested on animals.

Lakeland Zero VOC Paint

Lakeland paints are VOC free, solvent-free and non-toxic and are made in the UK. Also, Lakeland paints are odourless, breathable, and microporous, which help to maintain a healthy humidity level and eliminate mould and mildew.

VOC Rating: Zero VOC

Certification: GREENGUARD Gold Certification

Benefits

Non-toxic.
Vegan & Natural.
Microporous, odourless breathable eco paints that keep the air in your home clean.

Valspar Zero VOC Paint

The company has long been one of the top performers when it comes to low-VOC paint offerings. More recently, they have released four paints that are VOC free and have each achieved GREENGUARD Gold certification. One of the VOC-free paints available is Valspar Reserve, a high performance and hardwearing paint that uses a single coat of primer and paint that is both scrub and stain-resistant.

Valspar ranges included: Reserve, Signature, Ultra 2000 and Ultra 4000.

VOC Rating: Zero VOC

Certification: GREENGUARD Gold Certification

Benefits:

Valspar Reserve

High performing paint.
All in one paint & primer.
Stain and scrub resistance.

Valspar Signature

All in one paint & primer.
Fade-resistant.
Protects against scuffs & stains.

Dulux Trade Airsure Low VOC Paint

VOC Rating: 99.9% VOC Free

Certification: Complies with the BREEAM NC 2018, LEED v4.1 & WELL v2.0

Benefits

Dulux Airesure Diamond Matt – Contains scrub, scuff and stain-resistant technology.

You will find the volatile organic compounds emissions on the side of a tin of paint. Image credited to British Coatings Federation LTD.

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