Can you use non-bathroom paint in a bathroom?!

[SalFresco]

I'm posting this as it sounds like such a silly question, I don't want to ask in RL!!

I have been given two pots of paint from a friend who decorated a very small room and had loads leftover. They are nice Dulux ones, and would look lovely in my bathroom. However they are not specialist "bathroom" paints - which we have at the moment. I mentioned it briefly to DH, and he thinks we can't use it as standard paint will peel and crack in a bathroom. Can anyone advise?!

It starts to peel evenually if it isn't proper 'bathroom' paint.

my standard paint has never peeled or cracked....and i've lived in several houses!

You can but they aren't waterproof. I used normal paint on the ceiling and when I used to clean the shower head with the shower hose head the paint washed off the ceiling! It doesn't matter that much TBH, just if it gets steamy in there and you put your hand on the wall you will get a painty hand

Perhaps it happened to me as we have a tiny bathroom, 5 people using it- it gets really steamy quickly when ppeople shower.
Perhaps good extractor fan would help then.

Ah I see...I was hoping that it was just a marketing ploy, and that bathroom paint was no different, but it sounds like there are some differences! Maybe I'll paint a bit on a secret patch in the bathroom and see

It depends on what kind of 'normal' paint you're talking about i think. Matt emulsion might rub off, but i think 'silk' is slightly harder wearing.

We've never had bathroom or kitchen paint in any of our houses, and dad was a decorator and did them all. We've never had any problems.

Suppose it depends on how much scrubbing you're likely to do and how often you would re-decorate too.

Here from the DUlux website

""Dulux colour mixing Silk paint gives interior walls and ceilings a delicate sheen, ideal for high-traffic areas where durability and wipeability are key""

The other thing to note is that some (not all) bathroom paints are mould/mildew resistant.

If you have a small steamy bathroom this can be important.

But it depends on the areas - I have non bathroom paints on the walls of my bathroom and they are fine - but I have to use bathroom paint on the ceiling because that's where most of the steam condenses.

THanks everyone! I've had a close read of both tins, one will def be fine as it is a super durable matt which can be used anywhere, but the other is just a standard matt. Our bathroom is very small, but doesn't tend to get steamy, DH and I have super-quick showers, and DS's have shallow baths with the door open. I think I'll give it a go, as I really love the colours, but maybe test on a bit of wall first!