Low-VOC & Eco-Friendly Paint: A Sydney Homeowner's Guide

Paint has changed a lot in the last decade. Today's low-VOC and zero-VOC paints perform just as well as traditional products while releasing far fewer chemicals into your home. If you're painting a bedroom, nursery or apartment, they're worth considering.

What are VOCs?

VOCs — volatile organic compounds — are chemicals that evaporate as paint dries, producing that familiar "new paint smell". They can cause headaches and irritation, and they linger longest in poorly ventilated rooms. Low-VOC paints limit these emissions.

Where low-VOC paint matters most

• Bedrooms and nurseries — where you spend hours breathing the air
• Apartments and units — where ventilation is limited and neighbours are close
• Kitchens and bathrooms — high-humidity rooms where air quality matters
• Anyone with asthma or sensitivities

Does it cost more?

Low-VOC paints once carried a premium, but most major brands now formulate their standard range as low-VOC at little or no extra cost. The difference in price between a standard interior paint and a premium low-VOC product is usually small — and worth it in bedrooms.

What to ask your painter

• Which paint brand and range they use, and its VOC level
• Whether low-VOC options are available for trims and ceilings too
• How long before the room is comfortable to sleep in

Other ways to improve indoor air while painting

Ventilate well, keep windows open during and after painting, and allow a few days for the room to fully air out — even with low-VOC paint. Avoid painting just before moving a baby or sensitive person into a room.

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