Is "eco" paint any good? Can you recommend me one?

[SvetlanaKirilenko]

Want something instead of eggshell for woodwork in house. Even water based eggshell gives me a foul headache and as I am getting older I am turning into more and more of a hippy and want to rid my life from as many chemicals as possible...

So, I have looked at Ecos Organic paints, and at Earthborn paints. Have no idea if either are any good! They are expensive so I don't want to make a really expensive mistake. I just want white (not pure brilliant white).

Has anyone used an eco paint for their woodwork (skirtings, door frames etc.) and would you recommend me one?

Many thanks!

I've used both makes for years (have really bad problems with other paints)
I prefer Ecos although i think they're slightly more expensive.
Delivery was excellent with them, and their paint goes really far..i've used their emulsion in my kitchen and its still great 7 years later, and i actually used it on dark brown stained beams in the house and it only took 2 coats!
[lovely can design too which you can use once you've finished]

Thank you Jellykat - what paint did you use on the woodwork?

I am thinking of the Satin Gloss, which at 20% sheen looks a similar finish to Farrow & Ball estate eggshell (also 20% sheen).

And how "white" is the white?

And is it durable enough for skirtings etc. in a hallway?

So many questions...(I think in my head I am worried it is made of yoghurt instead of "real" paint and I will have to redo it all next year...), thank you

You mention Farrow and Ball, which is quite environmentally friendly (and expensive) but is definitely a good quality paint that lasts.

Hi lottie yes I have been using F&B up to now. I will stick to their paints for walls as I love the colours and it doesn't affect me, but I quite wanted something more environmentally friendly for the woodwork. If I can't find anything suitable I will stick with them though.

How "friendly" is their estate eggshell? It doesn't give me a headache like others do but I can smell it...

They list the emissions (VOC, volatile organic compounds, I think) on their packaging and web-site, so you can compare the numbers with other brands.

freeing your life from chemicals will be difficult, as you are made of chemicals.

Cant' comment on woodwork, but I used Naturepaint on one of our rooms - we needed breathable paint as it is a very old wall with no damp proof course, and needs to let out the water. Lots of fun as you mix the stuff up with water using a whisk. Looks good, but finish is fragile in places and the place smelt of sour milk for a week or so, as that is a constituent of the paint.

quite nice that any remains can go on the compost heap (it doesn't keep).

Yep, am under no illusions I can free my life of chemicals, am just trying to detox my life a little after being very ill for a couple of years.

If anyone else has used Ecos or Earthborn eggshell substitute of some sort I would love to hear of your experiences thank you.

Hi

I was just wondering what you ended up using.

I'm looking at using the 'Earthborn' paints as there is a local stockist and they seem nice?!