Countless options exist for prospective parents to decorate their cribs and baby furniture to foster a magical environment for newborns. Although many of the most common spray paints contain harmful chemicals, with a little research, it’s easy to avoid harmful products when shopping for non-toxic alternatives.
It comes down to learning a bit about certifications and ingredients, as well as knowing which brands are attempting to make painting baby furniture safer for children. This post will show you some options and offer you some ways to recognize the telltale signs of quality spray paint that will let you refinish baby furniture without compromising health.
Reduce Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
The most well-known concern regarding spray paints is VOCs, minuscule particles that float into the air as the paint dries. Some choice concerns are with formaldehyde, benzene and flame retardants, which all pose health risks. These harm adults and children, causing anything from minimal health side effects like headaches to extreme ailments like liver damage.
Study after study has proven how harmful these compounds can be, forcing companies to make low- or no-VOC spray paint options that are better for baby furniture. Low-VOC options can still contain a significant amount, though, so choose paints carefully despite the packaging’s phrasing.
Low- to no-VOC spray paints exist in any format, regardless of the product having a glossy or matte finish, latex or enamel. Many have certifications proving rigorous testing for VOCs, such as:
- Earth Safe Finishes
- Sherwin Williams
- American Pride
These brands should all be safer for playroom walls or crib frames. However, it’s crucial to note that a lack of VOCs doesn’t signify a completely non-toxic spray paint. Read up on the paint’s other ingredients and any third-party certifications the company claims.
Note, too, that every painting session should occur outdoors or with adequate ventilation. Even if the spray paint doesn’t contain VOCs, it helps keep indoor air quality healthy if the gasses have more room to escape.
Avoid Antimicrobial Agents
Spray paint composition provides more resilience to furniture because the makeup includes antimicrobial agents. Though these sound like they could be healthier for a baby because they stop harmful microbes from flourishing on wood, they stop these processes at a cost. These kill once-thriving microbes because they’re toxic.
These agents release compounds similar to VOCs. However, they contain metals like silver, zinc and copper, which go into the air and contaminate the environment. Some non-toxic options that don’t feature antimicrobial agents include:
- Behr Premium Plus Low Odor Interior Paint
- ECOS paints (particularly ECOS Air Purifying Paint)
- Green Planet Paints
Recognize Confusing Keywords
Branding goes a long way when advertising spray paint. If a word is highlighted or bolded on a can, it notifies the customer what the company prioritizes and how they take care of their consumers. Some words are misleading or not comprehensive, however, so it’s important to know what they all mean.
One of the most popular buzz words for paint is “low-odor” or “odorless.” Some parents may think odors are associated with VOCs; that VOCs always emit a smell as the compounds release into the air. These are unrelated, however.
The terms low-odor and odorless do not mean that the paint is non-toxic or that it doesn’t contain VOCs. That said, some options, such as water-based spray paints, are lower both in VOCs and odors and are safer for indoor use. It comes down to the ingredients.
The paint type matters most because it hints at what it might contain. Oil paints could contain ingredients like linseed, walnut and safflower oil, which are usually safe. However, other qualities of oil-based paints could irritate because of the additives, like silica or surfactants. These are essential ingredients because they help keep the paint from separating. However, parents may want to stay away from them.
One example of an additive to avoid would be APEs or alkylphenol-ethoxylates. These are other ingredients found in surfactants, which have properties that may cause hormone imbalance by disrupting the endocrine system.
APEs are some of the more well-researched ingredients in spray paints, potentially harming immune and nervous systems alongside environmental damage from cross-contamination. Avoid these ingredients at all costs, searching for spray paints labeled BPA-free, instead.
Find an All-Natural Option
Water-based paints are excellent for parents looking to brighten their nursery safely. There are plenty of other natural options, most with the durability and pigment depth to compete against toxic alternatives.
Here are some natural paint ingredients to look out for, as well as a few top brands that specialize in paints made with them:
- Chalk, used by companies such as Annie Sloan
- Plant-based dyes, used by companies such as Tried and True
- Milk, used by companies such as Miss Mustard Seed or Real Milk Paint Company
- Natural oils, used by companies such as Green Planet Paints
- Clay, used by companies such as BioShield
Application and finish may vary with these options, but they still create full-coverage, impressive products. The base of the paint is critical, but read the product information sheets to ensure that the company uses all natural ingredients such as bio-sustainable solvents that promote texture and consistency without emitting harmful chemicals.
Some of these paints apply more thinly, requiring multiple coats. Others can be more expensive because they’re less widely accessible. They’re worth the cost, however, when creating a baby-safe home.
Look for Third-Party Verifications
Governmental and third-party organizations have recognized the questionable nature of spray paints—especially for babies—and put systems in place to review what’s on the market. Companies can submit their formulas to these organizations for certification or approval.
These certifications help shoppers recognize when businesses have made an effort to comply with pre-established safety and health standards from unbiased, authoritative sources. They can also promote conversations with the youth in a family as they welcome the newborn. Reading and noticing these products begins the sustainability conversation early, letting family members know how much the family values health and the planet.
Here are some of the most well-regarded names in the non-toxic spray paint business.
Green Seal
They are a nonprofit that provides labels for eco-friendly products that follow ISEAL’s Standard Setting Code for environmental awareness and developmental process transparency.
The certifier has a low industry standard for VOCs compared to other organizations, analyzing paint composition with emissions for a comprehensive picture. They have a mission to normalize the value of eco-labeling to help consumers make more informed choices.
Green Seal also considers packaging alongside the paint mixture, ensuring the entire package abides by greener standards. They have other third parties such as LEED and the EPA verifying their processes, further validating the efficacy and value of the Green Seal.
Some examples of Green Seal paints include:
- Benjamin Moore Eco Spec
- Asian Paints Royal Aspira
Green Wise Gold
They provide their Green Wise certification mark on products for analyzing VOCs. They also test other performance qualities of the paint such as flexibility and water resistance. The performance standards are intricate and vary depending on what each paint is used for, as exterior top coats should have different properties than industrial maintenance paints.
For interior paint, you can look into McCormick Paints, which are the primary brand of interior paints with the Green Wise certification.
Parents who’ve never worked with alternative paint mixtures before can review the list of Green Wise Gold certified paints and view the specs about how they weather to gain accurate expectations. Here are some of the other qualities they look out for in quality paint:
- Little to no flaking
- Maintains color
- Doesn’t blister
- Doesn’t contain prohibited chemicals, such as mercury or phthalates
Environmental Protection Agency
The EPA has less strict guidelines regarding VOCs, but they consider countless other facets of an eco-friendly and safer version of paints. They evaluate if paints were recycled or contained salvaged content, demonstrating the EPA’s priority of reducing waste and reusing healthier materials. The EPA also favor alternative paints such as milk- or earth-based products when administering eco-labels.
They also provide more resources like specific purchasing standards for parents wanting to research more to get a more holistic perspective on alternative paints.
Health Organizations
Though environmental organizations are essential in recognizing when paints are safe for kids based on environmental impact, some health organizations have performed studies and administered their own seals of approval, too.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has standards that promise to decrease throat, skin and eye irritation because they check paints for allergens and chemicals. To them, the paint’s physical performance is as important as low VOCs and minimizing health risks.
The ASTM F963-17 from the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the United States is broader, but they still review paint safety. They outline what products are laboratory-tested for safety, ensuring toy manufacturers don’t use paints containing heavy metals.
Looking out for paints with this seal would assure parents of security because if it’s safe for toys, it’s safe for baby furniture.
Non-Toxic Alternatives to Keep Babies Safe
Navigating newborn safety means recognizing corporate misinformation and questioning product ingredients that may have been previously taken for granted. It means considering both the act of painting (and the chemicals that get into the air as a byproduct) and the long-term effects of tactile exposure to a crib or chair.
Fortunately, non-toxic spray paint options do exist to make parents’ lives easier. Following these recommendations should help minimize exposure to toxic substances and keep children safer.
Feature image: Pavel Danilyuk; Image 1: Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona; Image 2: Anna Shvets
