“I’d rather deal with an extra coat than risk off-gassing from the conventional stuff.”
That’s exactly where I landed after my last project. I spent weeks stripping layers of who-knows-what off our 1920s plaster, and the thought of sealing it all up with something toxic just felt wrong. The natural paints do have that “barnyard” vibe for a bit, but honestly, I’ll take that over the chemical haze any day. I actually kind of like the way it lingers—it reminds me the walls are breathing again.
Humidity is a pain, though. Last summer, I tried painting during a heatwave (bad idea), and the linseed smell hung around for ages. The box fan trick helped, but I also left bowls of vinegar out, which seemed to help a bit with the odor. Not sure if it’s science or just wishful thinking.
I get why people want a quick fix, but for me, living in an old house is about patience and respect for what’s already here. If that means a few extra coats and some weird smells, so be it. At least I know I’m not sealing in another century of toxins.
I hear you on the humidity—natural paints definitely have their quirks. I’ve had similar issues with linseed-based stuff; if the weather’s wrong, that smell just lingers and lingers. I’ve tried the vinegar trick too, but honestly, I’m not convinced it does much beyond making the room smell like salad dressing for a few days. What’s worked best for me is just waiting for a dry, breezy stretch and keeping windows open as much as possible.
I do think there’s a tradeoff between convenience and peace of mind. The extra coats can be tedious, but like you said, it feels better knowing what’s actually on your walls. I’ve also noticed that once the natural paints fully cure, the “barnyard” smell fades and you’re just left with a nice, breathable finish. It’s not for everyone, but for old houses, it makes sense to go slow and do it right.
You nailed it about the barnyard smell—that’s just part of the deal with linseed and casein paints. I’ve tried every “hack” out there (coffee grounds, bowls of baking soda, even onions once—don’t ask), but honestly, patience and airflow are the only things that actually work. The payoff is real though. Those plastic-y modern paints just don’t let old plaster breathe, and you end up with weird bubbling or peeling down the line. It’s more work, sure, but I’d rather put in the effort than have to redo everything in five years.
The payoff is real though. Those plastic-y modern paints just don’t let old plaster breathe, and you end up with weird bubbling or peeling down the line.
I get what you’re saying about the barnyard smell being “just part of the deal,” but I’ve actually had some luck cutting it down a bit. After painting with casein, I tried putting a couple of bowls of activated charcoal around the room (not just baking soda), and it seemed to help more than I expected. Maybe it’s just me, but the smell faded faster than usual.
That said, I do agree—nothing beats good airflow. And yeah, those modern paints might be easier, but I’ve seen way too many old walls bubble up under them. Sometimes the old-school way really is worth the hassle, even if your house smells like a farm for a week...
I tried putting a couple of bowls of activated charcoal around the room (not just baking soda), and it seemed to help more than I expected.
That’s a solid tip—I’ve only used baking soda before, but never thought to try charcoal. When you painted with casein, did you do anything special to prep the old plaster? I’ve had mixed results just cleaning and patching, but sometimes the paint still doesn’t stick right. Wondering if there’s a step I’m missing or if it’s just the luck of the draw with these old walls...