Look for products with the Good Environmental Choice tick. It shows that they’ve been independently certified as meeting standards on issues such as air polluting volatile organic compound (VOC) levels, heavy metal content, potentially carcinogenic or ozone depleting substances and recyclable packaging. Be aware that certified paints may no longer meet standards after a tint is added. Consider limewash, milk or plant-based paints that tend to emit fewer fumes but take longer to dry.
BE COLOUR CONSCIOUS
The choice of colour has an effect on energy usage. A dark room may need more artificial light and increased energy to cool it in summer.
Explore options such as leaving some surfaces natural. Interior and exterior walls in frost-free climates can have clay-based finishes, and porous materials like timber and cork can be finished with natural oils or beeswax.
Plan long-term
Aside from high-traffic areas with a lot of wear and tear (like hallways,
staircase areas and kids bedrooms), a job well done should last 10 years or more.
It’s best for the environment, your hip pocket and DIY time if you choose quality brushes and paint, prepare the surface well, and avoid diluting paint as it weakens the finish.
A dark room may need more artificial light and increased energy to cool in summer.
STRIP IT GOOD
Use water based, low-allergy strippers, avoiding those that contain dichloromethane (DCM) as skin exposure or breathing it can irritate lungs and cause headaches, fatigue and irregular heartbeat. If sanding, use a sander with a vacuum attachment.
WATCH THE WEATHER
Ventilate well when painting indoors, not just during the job but in the weeks after it’s completed. Plan painting to fit in with fine weather forecasts and avoid rainy days if they mean doors and windows can’t be opened.
Wrap brushes or rollers tightly in plastic wrap to keep them moist between coats or when taking a break to avoid having to wash them out.
CLEAN UP GREEN
Some DIYers say it’s a sustainable choice to wrap brushes in newspaper and dispose of them but the more eco choice is to buy well and reuse.
Remove excess paint by wiping brushes and rollers onto sheets of newspaper.
Wash tools in three stages with small amounts of water or solvent. A first rough wash removes most of the paint, a second wash cleans and a rinse removes residue. Remove excess moisture with newspaper or old cloths between stages.
Leave to dry outside in a spot sheltered from direct sun and rain.
Dispose of waste plus leftover paint and waste solvent through council or state government collection programs and never pour waste water into the gutter as it ultimately pollutes creeks, rivers, waterways and beaches. Contact your council or state government waste authority for details.
TIP Some councils recycle empty paint tins along with steel food cans but they must be dry, so leave them with the lid off for a few days before putting them in the recycling bin.
A random-orbit sander with a vacuum cleaner attachment is a good choice for safe, scratch-free paint sanding.
Run the roller over the ribbed part of the paint tray and then over sheets of newspaper to remove excess paint. Fold the wet newspaper and dispose of immediately.
Green tradies
Outsource the eco-friendly way with www.greenpainters. org.au. Similar to the Green Plumbers and EcoSmart Electricians schemes, GreenPainters trains and accredits professionals while offering tips to DIYers.
A Green Painter is trained to reduce VOC emissions by using eco-certified, natural and renewable paint products. They also use environmental management techniques to avoid contaminating stormwater and groundwater.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Tools
There is a huge variety of tools available in DIY stores, and new ones are being introduced all the time. Choosing the right tools can make a job both faster and easier.
TOOLS FOR PREPARATION Sanding tools
There is a range of products on the market, both hand sanding materials and mechanical devices. For hand sanding there are abrasive papers, sanding pads and sponge sanding blocks, in grades ranging from fine to very coarse. Match the grade of paper to the job at hand. Mechanical devices include orbital, belt and disc sanders. Disc sanders are particularly abrasive, and should be used with care.
