Painting your home does not have to mean damaging the environment in any way; some people put off this kind of project for similar reasons, and this is not necessary. By doing the research and keeping in mind tips like what is listed below, you can take on any painting project in your home confident that it is Eco-friendly.

 

1. Do the Math Beforehand

Before you start stocking up on your supplies, make sure that you know exactly what it is that you need. How much paint do you need? How many rollers and other items do you need? Measure the walls that you will be painting, and then figure out how many paint cans you will need. If you should overestimate, you could find yourself with extra supplies that will end up wasted. If people will be helping you with the project, calculate how many brushes should be around; if you should fall short, you can always get more.

2. Choose Paint Wisely

Eco-friendly experts will usually recommend that you use paint that is free of or very low on volatile organic chemicals, also known as VOC. VOC can be very harmful to the air and the general environment; to take environment friendly steps and then ignore the brand of paint that you buy means ruining the whole point. Wherever you buy your painting supplies, make sure that you ask questions. You could learn something completely new and save a lot of money in the process. If you are not sure about a paint brand, do not get it or seek assistance.

3. Use As Little Water as Possible

You may be tempted to rinse your paint brushes every few minutes, but this is a bad idea; the more water that you use, the more that is wasted. Just as you would limit your water use when bathing or brushing your teeth, so should you use limits when painting. Warn every member of your painting party about this, and do not let them wander away from it. Only rinse when it is absolutely necessary or you are finished with the project for the moment.

4. Do Not Pour Paint or Thinner down Drains

You should never pour either of these down a drain; it is dangerous and potentially hazardous to your health. If you know that you no longer need it, seal it away in a tight container and hand it over to a waste disposal site.

5. Reuse Paint When Possible

If you are finished with the job and there is a good amount of paint left over, consider storing it away for later use. Should something happen to the walls and they need to be retouched, you will not need to spend more money.

Author Bio:

 

Ricky is an interior design expert and Earth lover with one mission on his mind; improving waste efficiency in everyday life by encouraging eco friendly living. He blogs about everything from interior paint and design to eco friendly eating.