How to Choose Non-Toxic, Healthier Paints for Your Home
Nov 24, 2025
Paint is one of the most effective ways to transform interior spaces, and it plays a crucial role in indoor air quality. Unfortunately, many traditional paints release toxins and pollutants in the air in our homes, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), petrochemicals, and microplastics which can linger long after painting.
In our projects, we always prioritize eco-friendly, non-toxic paints that help create beautiful spaces designed for both aesthetic pleasure and wellbeing. Here’s how to choose healthier paint options for a more sustainable home.
The Real Deal With Your Paint: Understanding Conventional vs. Non-Toxic Paints
Many so-called “eco” or “low-odor” paints are still plastic- and petrochemical-based. Here’s a breakdown of common paint types and what to expect:
Conventional Paints: Acrylic, Latex & Petroleum-Based Formulas
Popular brands like Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Behr, and Valspar focus on price and coverage, often at the expense of indoor air quality. These paints typically contain:
Acrylic or vinyl resins derived from fossil fuels
Petroleum solvents such as toluene, xylene, glycol ethers
Synthetic pigments and metal oxides
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives and chemical additives
These materials continue to off-gas VOCs and shed microplastics long after drying, impacting your home’s air quality. These microplastics also settle into furniture, on the floor, in carpets and rugs, where we touch, inhale and carry them throughout the home.
Low-VOC and Zero-VOC Paints
Low-VOC paints reduce odors and some emissions but still rely on acrylic and petrochemical bases. Zero-VOC paints improve with fewer solvents but may still contain synthetic ingredients and colorants that emit VOCs. Both types off-gas chemical irritants, which can affect individuals, especially those that are more sensitive.
Truly Non-Toxic: Mineral & Bio-Based Paints for Healthy Homes
For a truly sustainable and non-toxic solution, mineral-based or bio-based paints are the best choice. Made from natural ingredients like clay, lime, silicate, milk protein, and plant oils, these paints:
Are free from plastics, acrylics, and petrochemicals
Contain zero VOCs, even after tinting
Promote natural breathability and moisture balance that reduce mold risks
Are biodegradable and safe for children, pets, and chemically sensitive people
These paints deliver rich, matte finishes that enhance both aesthetics and indoor air quality.
How to Choose the Best Non-Toxic Paint for Your Interior Design Project
When searching for safe, eco-friendly interior paint, prioritize these features:
Zero VOC content in both base and colorants to prevent toxic off-gassing
Naturally derived, plastic-free ingredients like clay, lime, or casein
Breathable, moisture-regulating properties to protect walls and improve indoor air
Third-party certifications such as GreenGuard Gold, Declare Label, or Green Seal for verified health and sustainability
Personal Anecdote: Our Sustainable Paint Choices for the Loire Design Lab
In our Loire Design Lab, we committed to using only mineral-based and bio-based, truly non-toxic paints that align with our core values of health and sustainability.
Choosing paints free from acrylics, petrochemicals, and VOCs ensures the lab’s indoor air quality remains pristine. We selected natural formulas made from clay, lime, and silicate, which provide velvety finishes while promoting wall breathability and moisture balance.
This approach reduces mold risk without relying on harsh chemical preservatives, creating a space that supports wellness for all occupants. Applying these healthy paints required collaboration with our painters to achieve the rich, luminous finish distinctive to natural mineral pigments.
By prioritizing these eco-friendly paints, our Loire Design Lab sets a new benchmark for sustainable, healthy interior design reflecting our dedication to beautiful spaces that protect people and the planet.
Conclusion
Every material choice defines the character of a space, and paint plays a pivotal role in that design story. Selecting non-toxic, breathable paints not only enhances the aesthetic but also fosters interiors that support wellbeing and environmental responsibility.
When designing healthy, sustainable environments, choosing thoughtfully crafted paint is a powerful way to elevate both form and function from the very start.
If you're curious to understand more or want to incorporate this in a future project, reach out to learn more about how we can help you.
—
A version of this article appeared in SISTAIN's Non-Toxic Paint Guide, which you can find here.
