Creating a nursery for your baby is quite an exhilarating experience. You want everything to be perfect when welcoming your bundle of joy into the world.
From choosing the bedding, accessories, and, most importantly, the furniture for your little one’s nursery, you will have to make big decisions and purchases when preparing for your baby’s arrival.
Painting your baby’s nursery is another thing that you might be concerned about.
Many conventional paints contain volatile organic compounds, which are not safe for babies. You should purchase baby-safe paints but with so many options on the market, how do you know which one is right for you?
This article covers all that you need to know about baby-safe paints. Continue reading our guide to discover the top 8 furniture paints that are completely non-toxic and VOC free.
Table of Contents
What Paints are Considered Safe for Babies?
Before we start, you should know the paints that are safe for babies.
Steer clear of paints that contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
VOCs are substances that are found in paint and can be released into the air. Inhaling them is not good for your health. Some symptoms include headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, allergic skin reaction, etc.
Zero VOC paint is considered safe for infants. You can find zero VOC in natural or water-based paints. These are considered non-toxic and can be used to paint furniture or cribs.
You should also avoid paints that contain alkylphenol-ethoxylates. They are known to cause reproductive, developmental, brain, and immune problems, as well as other health issues.
8 Baby Safe Paint for Cribs and Furniture
Many paints available in the market today contain harmful chemicals that can be dangerous for your child if they ingest them. Fortunately, there are several safe options that you can get as long as you know what you are looking for.
Listed below are zero VOC, good coverage, and non-toxic paints that do not risk your or your baby’s health.
Retique It Chalk Paint
Retique It by Rennaisance is our top choice when choosing baby-safe paint. This paint is made in the USA and is VOC-free with low emissions and odor.
It has a super smooth finish and is designed with the safety of children in mind.
It does not require any surface preparation such as sanding and is available in 40 different shades, so you have a lot of options to make sure the furniture matches the walls of the nursery.
You can choose the quantity of these paints, from pints to gallons or quartz. You can also get the deluxe kit which includes a paintbrush, gloves, buffing cloth, round wax brush, dark wax, clear furniture wax, a chip brush, and paint.
Retique It is a non-toxic paint and is hypoallergenic. This makes it perfect for baby cribs and other furniture that your child will use daily. This paint has great coverage, dries very fast, and you will only need 2 coats to get that perfect polish look.
Pros
- Has incredible adhesion, which enables it to stick to a variety of surfaces
- It is quite inexpensive.
- Outstanding wood-like finish
- Designed especially for furniture, cabinets, and home furnishings
Cons
- Mediocre color quality
Rust-Oleum Milk Paint Finish
The Rust-Oleum Milk Paint Finish is another great non-toxic paint for baby furniture!
You can also use this to paint wooden furniture in the house. This paint is great for adding some pop of color to the nursery.
Minimal or no prep is required before the application of the paint.
It is a water-based paint with low odor and low VOC for safety issues. This paint is different from other milk paints because it has components that increase its durability, which makes it difficult to chip off.
The paint has good coverage and provides adhesion to a number of surfaces such as metal, wood, ceramic, etc., leaving a matte and smooth finish. Its latex formula makes it easier to clean just by using soap and water.
Pros
- Minimal prep work
- Comes pre-mixed
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Thin consistency
- Takes some time to dry
FolkArt Chalk Furniture Paint
This is an acrylic paint that dries in minutes and is ideal for all types of surface applications. It is USA-made and is super easy to clean.
FolkArt Chalk Paint is water-based and provides an ultra-matte look.
Some prefer this paint because it can be sanded down afterward. Available in more than 50 colors, this chalk finish paint comes in multiple pastels and bright colors. It is perfect for creating a distressed and vintage look on your furniture.
This paint is best for small projects such as plant pots and can be used on surfaces such as metal, wood, terracotta, canvas, ceramic, etc. However, many reviewers complained about the packaging process, saying that they received damaged products.
Pros
- Dries fast and is easy to apply
- Affordable and very efficient
- Extensive choice of colors
- Wide and thick coverage that helps hide defects
Cons
- Due to a thicker consistency, the drying time may be longer.
- If necessary, a topcoat is advised due to the finish’s extreme matteness.
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Country Chic Chalk Paint
Country Chic Chalk Paint is another option you should try for your baby’s crib.
Country Chic supplies an outstanding chalk paint designed exclusively for furniture and home décor. They are non-toxic and environment-friendly.
European toy safety standards have certified Country Chic paints, making them ideal for painting wooden children’s toys and accessories to match the crib.
The paint has an ultra-low VOC content, is odorless, and is available in a variety of magnificent colors, from pebble beach grey, blue, mint green, and dark teal to mustard yellow, bright red, etc.
This paint is free of harmful chemicals such as phthalates, solvents, formaldehyde, and metal.
Pros
- Good coverage
- Environment-friendly
- A lot of color options are available
- Distresses easily to give that vintage look
Cons
- You will need 2-3 coats of paint if you are using a light color.
Old Fashioned Milk Paint
When shopping for zero VOC paints, milk paints are one of the finest choices, and Milk Paint’s Old Fashioned Milk Paint might be your best bet!
The fact that it is in powder form allows you to decide how thick or thin you want the paint to be mixed. When applied, it has a somewhat milky smell, but as soon as the paint dries, the smell goes away.
There are various colors to choose from. With powdered paints, you can combine several colors to get the hue you want. Over time, original milk paint may crumble and crack. Some folks prefer to do this to create a vintage look.
You might be worried that your kids will consume the paint chips. Even though this milk paint is safe for consumption, you can add some wax or sealant to prevent chipping for the peace of your mind.
Pros
- Dries fast and is easy to use
- Rich, long-lasting hues that do not fade
Cons
- Some users complained it chips off after a certain period of time.
Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint
The 5 components that make up Miss Mustard Seed’s milk paint are milk protein (casein), limestone, clay, chalk, and natural colors.
Milk paint works well on walls, floors, and furniture. It can be used for a range of custom finishes and for applications for a baby crib and furniture.
It acts as a stain but looks like paint because of how well it penetrates into unfinished wood.
It has excellent coverage and can cover 70 square feet. It is safe and dependable because it only uses natural components.
It is preferable to apply a second coat of wax because it does not contain a sealant. With 26 various colors to pick from, Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint offers a sufficient range.
This same brand also sells other goods, including tough coats, furniture wax, white wax, antiquing wax, and hemp oil.
Pros
- Has a variety of colors and good coverage
Cons
- Runny consistency
- Some prep is required.
Graphenstone Ecospere Paint
With no hazardous additives or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the Ecosphere mineral paint line from Graphenstone produces a superior level of coverage and a matte finish.
Graphenstone paints currently exist in over 1,000 hues in indoor and outdoor varieties.
This bright white paint offers a 10-year guarantee, is easily washable, and adds beauty and safety to contemporary nurseries.
Pros
- Enhances the indoor environment’s air quality
- Prevents the formation of germs, fungi, and mold and improves comfort and quality of life
- Contributes to maintaining clean air in cities
Cons
- Expensive
Tried & True Stain
Tried & True is completely solvent-free, contains no VOCs, and is suitable for food and skin contact. It means that exposure to meals is safe for them.
Once the paint has totally dried, you can enter the room without any hesitation because it is 100% safe.
The paint doesn’t harm your children, even if they try to eat off the cot. Consequently, it serves as the best safe spray paint for baby cribs.
Given that it can cover up to 100 square feet per gallon, it is the best option for demanding tasks. You won’t spend much money in this manner.
Pros
- Is safe because it doesn’t include any solvents, dyes, petrochemicals, or VOCs
- Ideal for any interior wood project, including cutting boards, pitchers, worktops, baby toys, etc.
- Linseed oil and beeswax polymerization create a silky, matte finish that is moisture resistant.
Cons
- Takes time to dry up
Buying Guide
You should choose the correct type of paint if you want to avoid your baby’s exposure to toxic chemicals released by paints. Below are some factors you should consider when choosing baby-safe paints:
1. No VOC
Make sure the paint you are buying is low VOC or VOC free. Long after the paint has set, VOCs can still be present, resulting in chronic inhalation that can lead to breathing problems, headaches, and nausea.
Therefore, make sure to pick a paint that has no VOC so that you or your child is not inhaling toxic fumes.
2. Coverage
Another factor to note when buying paint for furniture is its coverage. The amount of surface area a chalk paint can cover is referred to as coverage. Get the paint that has good coverage.
3. Color Options
If you are into the more colorful side, we suggest using chalk paints. Most types of chalk paint provide a variety of color possibilities because the purpose of the paint is to give surfaces a colorful and rustic appearance.
4. Try Water-Based Or Natural Paints
The best baby-safe paints are the ones that are water-based because, when compared to oil-based paints, they release fewer chemicals when they dry.
Natural paints are made of natural components such as linseed, casein, soy oils, citrus, plant pigment, and chalk.
Even though they are considered safe, some do contain VOCs, so do your homework before deciding to buy a particular product.
FAQs
Is milk paint safe for babies?
Yes, milk paint is toxin-free since they are made of natural ingredients and is safe enough to use on furniture. They are eco-friendly and have low VOC, which makes them safer for babies.
What makes chalk paint different from normal paint?
Even though chalk paint, like many other types of paint, is water-based, it has a matte texture that makes it simple to hide imperfections and cracks. The consistency of chalk paint is often thicker and less likely to flow down surfaces.
Is waxing necessary after using chalk paint?
Applying wax to chalk paint is definitely worthwhile, particularly if you want to preserve your furnishings and make them look nice for a longer period of time.
Bottom Line
You can rest assured that the products listed in this article are totally safe for your baby. We hope you found our suggestions and buying guide helpful.
Happy Painting!
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