Are Earthborn paints natural and organic?
‘Natural’ and ‘organic’ are words that have been borrowed from the food industry. In the paint industry however, these terms have no legal meaning and can be misleading.
‘Natural’ is often used as shorthand hand for ‘healthy, wholesome and eco’. However many traditional, natural ingredients in paint can also be hazardous. Think about lead and turpentine (derived from trees) which are either banned or controlled because of the harmful effect on health and the environment. When people ask for ‘natural’ they usually mean healthy and eco friendly, and those are the criteria we use at Earthborn when formulating our paints.
We would advise to be suspicious of any paint claiming to be a natural paint as there is no such thing as a liquid natural paint in a tin. All paints by necessity contain some synthetic chemicals (for instance water based paints require a preservative to keep them ‘fresh’).
In the chemical industry, ‘organic’ refers to the chemistry of carbon based matter or in other words, living or once-living matter. As such the petrochemical industry is the world’s largest organic chemical industry. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are carcinogenic and harmful to the environment, which is why their use in paint is strictly controlled by legislation. Away from the food industry ‘organic’ can have the opposite meaning to what people may think.
Safer to simply use the term ‘eco’!
Take a look at our top five eco credentials here.
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Earthborn and the Environment
Are Earthborn paints natural and organic?
Are Earthborn paints breathable?
Are Earthborn paints VOC free?
Do Earthborn paints contain Titanium Dioxide (TiO ₂)?
What is the EU Ecolabel?
Are Earthborn paints fire safe or flame retardant?
Are Earthborn paints child and baby safe?
Are Earthborn paints suitable for allergy and asthma sufferers?
Are Earthborn paints vegan friendly?
Are Earthborn paints Oddy tested?
What can I do with leftover paint?
How should I clean my brushes and rollers after using Earthborn paint?
What should I do with empty paint tins?
How environmentally friendly is Earthborn’s packaging?
Are Earthborn colour cards recyclable?
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Paint for Exterior Masonry Surfaces
Why should I use Earthborn Ecopro Silicate Masonry Paint rather than a modern masonry paint?
What is the difference between acrylic and mineral based masonry paint?
How do I apply Ecopro Silicate Masonry Paint?
How durable is Earthborn Ecopro Silicate Masonry Paint?
Can I use an airless spray gun to apply the Ecopro Silicate System?
Can I overpaint surfaces that have been previously painted with Earthborn’s Ecopro Silicate Masonry System?
My property is limewashed. Can I overpaint it in Earthborn Ecopro Silicate Paint?
My house is painted with a modern masonry paint. Can I overpaint it in Earthborn Ecopro Silicate Masonry Paint?
Is the Ecopro Silicate Masonry System suitable for lime rendered exterior surfaces?
Is Earthborn’s Ecopro Silicate Masonry Paint suitable for cob or clay walls?
Is Earthborn Ecopro Silicate Masonry Paint suitable for outdoor ovens or fireplaces?
Is Ecopro Silicate Masonry Paint available in black?
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Paint for Furniture and Woodwork
Which Earthborn paint finish should I use on interior skirting, doors or window frames?
Which Earthborn paint finish should I use on furniture?
Do I need to use a primer before painting furniture with Earthborn paint?
How should I prepare my furniture for painting?
How do I apply Eggshell No.17?
How do I apply Eco Chic?
Should I seal knots prior to painting?
Can I use an airless spray gun to apply Eggshell No.17 or Eco Chic?
Can I use Earthborn paint on children’s furniture, cots or toys?
Can I use Earthborn Eggshell No.17 on exterior woodwork such as windows or front doors?
Can I use Eco Chic or Eggshell No.17 on kitchen cupboards?
Is Earthborn Eggshell suitable for use on floorboards?
Is Earthborn paint suitable for animal enclosures?
Is Earthborn paint suitable for radiators?
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Paint for Interior Walls and Ceilings
What is Claypaint and why is it so special?
I need helping choosing between Earthborn Claypaint and Lifestyle Emulsion. What’s the difference?
Do Earthborn offer an environmentally friendly alternative to trade paints?
How do I apply Earthborn interior wall paints?
Can Earthborn paints be applied to new or bare plaster?
Which type of paint is suitable for use over interior lime plaster, lime wash or lime rendered walls?
Which paint is most suitable for kitchens and bathrooms?
Can I overpaint vinyl paint with Earthborn paints?
I have prepared the wall to be painted but the surface is powdery. Should I treat it with PVA?
We have treated a damp problem in our older property and have been told not to use a vinyl paint. Can you recommend a suitable paint?
How does Casein Paint differ from Earthborn Claypaint and Lifestyle Emulsion?
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