Chalk Paint

Both milk paint and chalk paint are water-based, quickly drying paints that are simple to find, simple to use, and simple on the environment.

Unlike latex and oil-based paint, neither milk nor chalk paint emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are chemicals that contain carbon and are linked to elevated ozone levels and respiratory conditions.

Milk Paint

It is said that milk paint is the paint for those who value the environment. Simple and all-natural ingredients are used to make it. Casein, calcium carbonate, pigment, and sodium borate are some examples of this.

Typically, this ingredient combination is sold in powder form to be combined at home. Some are offered already prepared and packaged airtight. A bonding agent must be included in the milk paint formula to aid in adhesion when painting on a non-porous surface.

The casein and lime in the milk paint powder react chemically when water is added, giving the paint its adhesion.

Milk paint works well on a variety of surfaces and doesn't need a sealer or primer. Milk paint dries a lot faster than its latex and oil counterparts. Instead of taking all day to dry, it does so in less than 30 minutes.

The best part is that this biodegradable, non-toxic paint has a faint grassy scent rather than the chemical smell of paint made from petroleum, making it safer and more enjoyable for painters to work with.

Additionally resilient, milk paint is particularly helpful for projects requiring deep color saturation and low sheen. Milk paint is praised by designers who adhere to the shabby chic aesthetic for its mottled, distressed appearance.

Milk paint is not intended to be kept for a long time. It's best to use it within 24 hours of mixing it with water, but it can last for a few days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. As a result, milk paint works better on smaller projects rather than bigger ones like walls.

Although milk paint doesn't require a sealer, if you're painting a high-traffic, high-use area or object, an additional layer of protection can prevent dings and discoloration. Beeswax, oil, polyurethane, or more sustainably sourced hemp or walnut oil are examples of products that can be used as sealants. But applying these sealants will take more time.

Milk paint is inappropriate for vegans because it contains dairy. Environmental vegans cite dairy as one of the factors in their decision to live a plant-based diet, as it contributes 2% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions.

Calcium carbonate, pigment, and water are also combined to create chalk paint, a thick, water-based paint. Similar to milk paint, chalk paint adheres to almost any surface. However, chalk paint has a more matte finish than milk paint and needs a topcoat if you want something other than a texture that is slightly gritty.

Since milk paint lumps can be tricky to completely dissolve, chalk paint is typically sold pre-mixed, saving you time and effort.This nonorganic paint is largely non-toxic and vegan-friendly because it doesn't contain any animal byproducts.

Chalk paint has no smell at all and dries in under an hour. Long-term storage is also possible without sacrificing the paint's quality.

Since chalk paint is more prone to damage than milk paint, adding a top coat can help avoid issues before they arise. Unlike milk paint, where painters can easily mix powders to create completely new hues, most chalk paint is pre-made, so the colors are constrained to what is commercially available.

Before making a purchase, read the label carefully as some varieties of chalk paint may also contain toxic ingredients and VOCs. Last but not least, chalk paint costs more than milk paint.

The Greener Choice

Compared to paints made from fossil fuels, both of these paints have many benefits.

Gia Mora, a sustainability writer for Treehugger, chooses chalk paint because it doesn't need dairy products and because zero-VOC chalk paint is readily available in the marketplace.

Since the two paints' ingredients are so similar, the main drawbacks of choosing chalk paint over milk paint may be a smaller color selection and a slightly higher price than anticipated.

According to Mora, both of these low-VOC paints are preferable for the environment and people.