Got Milk? Make Your Own Non-Toxic Paint in 2 Easy Steps

Autumn is here, and your mellow yellow walls are already looking wrong. After researching your options, you’ve concluded that low-VOC paint isn’t quite green enough for your taste (after all, it still emits pollutants into the air you breathe every day), and non-toxic alternatives cost more than your budget can afford. So, what is a thrifty, eco-conscious girl to do? Make your own all-natural milk paint!

Thoroughly mix ten cups of nonfat dry milk with ten cups of water. Add vegetable dye gradually in small amounts until you create the color that you desire, and you’re ready to give your walls a makeover. Having trouble finding plant-based dyes? You can concoct your own by following the few simple steps provided by the National Garden Association.

Image: Photocapy

6 thoughts on “Got Milk? Make Your Own Non-Toxic Paint in 2 Easy Steps”

Could you use food coloring, instead of vegetable dye?

— Christalle Bodiford on July 7, 2011
Thanks for the colorful ideas! I’ll have to try this!!! =D

— Ima Peccable on October 3, 2008
Wow! Eco, colorful, and easy. What could be better?

— Alline Anderson on October 2, 2008
I think this idea of mixing your own paints is fonaminal. Absolutly amazing!!!!

— donna nieves on September 30, 2008
What a great idea! I will be sure to try this. I need to do some touch up paint, and don’t want to buy the latex paint! Thanks.

— threadbeaur on September 29, 2008
This sounds great! I’d be curious to know how color-fast the paint is. I have a friend who dyed some cloth with turmeric and the parts exposed to sunlight very quickly faded to a lighter yellow. I’d wonder what would happen with different veggie dyes and milk.

— Sarah I on September 29, 2008