I hear you on the limewash—it’s not as easy as those online tutorials make it look. I tried it in my dining room last year, and the first coat had me convinced I’d ruined the plaster. It did settle into something decent after a few days, but it’s definitely an “acquired taste” finish.
ECOS is solid for the price, though I’ve noticed coverage isn’t quite as good as standard paint. You end up using more than you think. Still beats the fumes from the cheap stuff, especially in old houses where you never know what’s under the last layer.
Would love to see eco paints in bigger buckets too. I always feel silly hauling home a stack of tiny cans for one room. Tried making clay paint once—let’s just say my pantry door still wears that experiment as a warning. Not sure I’ll go down that road again...
- Limewash is definitely a “trust the process” kind of thing. My first go looked like a toddler’s art project, but after a few days it mellowed out. Still, not sure I’d do a whole room again—maybe just an accent wall next time.
- ECOS does go on thinner than I expected. I had to do three coats in my hallway, which felt excessive, but I’ll take that over the chemical smell any day. The color depth is nice, though.
- The bucket size thing bugs me too. Why are eco paints always in those tiny cans? I’ve started mixing two gallons in a five-gallon bucket just to save time, but it’s a hassle.
- Tried making my own milk paint once. It was... weirdly satisfying, but the finish was way more rustic than I wanted. Not sure if that’s user error or just how it’s supposed to look.
- Anyone else notice eco paints seem to dry faster? Maybe it’s just me, but I have to work quick with the brush or I get lap marks.
Curious if anyone’s found a brand with decent coverage and bigger sizes? I keep hoping someone will crack the code.
“The bucket size thing bugs me too. Why are eco paints always in those tiny cans? I’ve started mixing two gallons in a five-gallon bucket just to save time, but it’s a hassle.”
- I totally get the frustration with the small cans. I tried painting my bedroom with AFM Safecoat and had to keep running back to the store for more. It was like a weird cardio workout I didn’t sign up for.
- The fast drying thing is real. I thought it was just me being slow, but by the time I finished cutting in around the window, my roller marks were already showing on the other side of the wall. Not my best look.
- Limewash is on my “maybe one day” list, but honestly, after seeing how unpredictable it can be, I’m leaning toward just an accent wall too. The toddler art phase sounds... stressful.
- I went with Clare paint for my bathroom—coverage was actually pretty solid, but yeah, still small cans and not cheap. At least it didn’t stink up the house.
- Tried mixing leftover colors together to make enough for a second coat. Ended up with a weird shade of green that I now call “compromise moss.” Not sure if that’s a win or just proof I shouldn’t be left unsupervised.
- Never braved milk paint yet—kind of scared of ending up with that “rustic” finish you mentioned. My vibe is more “I tried” than “vintage farmhouse.”
If anyone ever finds eco paint in a big bucket with good coverage, that’ll be the day... For now, guess we’re all just getting creative (and maybe a little bit sweaty) trying to save the planet one tiny can at a time.
I hear you on the tiny cans. I tried to do my living room with ECOS and ended up with a pile of empties and a sore wrist from opening them all. Honestly, I’d pay extra just to get a regular 5-gallon bucket. The price per square foot isn’t great either, but at least it doesn’t smell like a chemical factory. Mixing leftovers is risky—I once got a color that looked like split pea soup. Not my best DIY moment.
Mixing leftovers is risky—I once got a color that looked like split pea soup. Not my best DIY moment.
That made me laugh—been there, done that. I tried to “stretch” two half-empty cans of low-VOC paint once and ended up with a shade I can only describe as “sad oatmeal.” The worst part was realizing it after the first wall was done... had to live with it for a month before I could face repainting.
I totally get the frustration with those tiny cans, too. It’s wild how much more packaging waste you end up with, which feels kind of backwards for an eco-friendly product. I’ve wondered if there’s some regulation or shipping reason they don’t offer bigger buckets? Or maybe it’s just not enough demand yet.
The no-chemical smell is a huge plus, though. Last time I used regular paint, my whole house smelled like a nail salon for days. Still, I wish the price point matched the convenience—or at least didn’t make me feel like I’m paying for the privilege of being green.