Of course you want to safeguard the health of your family, and choosing an “eco” or a “natural” paint seems like a sound idea. But behind the hype lurks hidden danger and we feel you should be able to make a fully informed decision.
100% natural paint is not necessarily 100% healthy
The perceived wisdom is that the best way to limit contact with harmful substances or chemicals is to use natural products. But when it comes to paint, this assumption is not necessarily true and many paints that espouse ‘100% natural’ credentials can pose a risk to those who use them to decorate their home.
Let’s think about this logically. When it comes to food, we wholeheartedly agree that natural is best. But then we also know that natural food has a limited shelf life, beyond which it starts to deteriorate and, eventually, goes mouldy. Paint, on the other hand, is expected to remain stable for as long as it is on the wall.
A breeding ground for bacteria?
By limiting themselves to natural ingredients, manufacturers of natural paints are inadvertently creating problems, whereby their paints can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. A common example of this is the use of casein – a milk protein often used to form the base of a natural paint because it is fast-drying and water-soluble. As a dairy-based product, it can encourage the growth and proliferation of unsafe moulds like mildew or similar, particularly in areas with poor ventilation.
According to the NHS, these moulds produce allergens, irritants and, sometimes, toxic substances. Inhaling or touching mould spores can cause allergic reactions such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes and skin rash. Airborne mould spores can also cause asthma attacks. The NHS says they pose a particular risk to vulnerable groups, such as young children and babies, elderly people, and those with skin conditions and respiratory complaints.
Little Knights blends natural ingredients with modern technology
Little Knights’ paints was born from the frustration felt about the potential health problems posed by established natural/eco paints on the market. Of course, we believe in using natural products in our paints where possible, but we also believe in making the safest possible product for our customers and their families.
For this reason, we included a small number of carefully-researched, high quality modern, man-made ingredients to ensure Little Knights is the healthiest paint available. These ingredients are based on tried-and-tested, inert materials found in cosmetics, face creams and even toothpastes.
A paint you can trust
The end result is a paint that you can trust. It is antibacterial, odour-free and non-toxic, as well as being durable and beautiful. We are an open and approachable team, so if you have any questions or would like to know more about Little Knights paint, please call us on 01604 781009 or email info@little-knights.co.uk.
