THE OLD FASHIONED MILK PAINT COMPANY

Got Milk?

The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company produces one of the best natural milk paint lines around. The paint comes as a dry powder in 20 historical colors to mix with water. There is also a base to which you can add your own water-soluble pigments, or you can blend the existing colors to create a custom color. Unlike many “milk paints” sold in home improvement stores—which usually have a latex or oil base—this paint is truly biodegradable, nontoxic, and VOC free. The paint will take about 6 months or so to cure, after which it never fades and is weatherproof. It’s great for children’s furniture, craft projects, and historically accurate finishes. The bad news: Once you mix the paint, it lasts about a day, so mix only as much as you can use.

For sealers, you might want to try the company’s clear-coat sealer. Or apply Hope’s 100 percent tung oil or Daddy Van’s beeswax, both of which are green, nontoxic solutions.