Hey fellow green living enthusiasts! 
I’ve recently embarked on a journey to repaint my entire house using only natural and eco-friendly paints. After some research, I stumbled upon milk paint and was intrigued by its historical use and natural composition. I decided to give it a try on a few pieces of furniture first, using the brand Real Milk Paint Co., and I must say, the results were stunning! The finish was beautifully matte and had a depth of color that I hadn’t achieved with other paints. Plus, knowing it’s made from simple ingredients like milk protein, lime, and natural pigments made me feel good about my choice.
However, I did notice that milk paint requires a bit more prep work and isn’t as forgiving as some synthetic paints I’ve used in the past. It made me wonder about its practicality for larger projects, like walls. I’m curious, has anyone else used milk paint for big renovations? How did you find the cost-benefit analysis when considering the prep time, coverage, and durability? Also, if you’ve tried other natural paint brands or types, how do they compare in terms of application and finish? Let’s share our experiences and tips to help each other make more informed, eco-conscious choices in our DIY projects!
I’ve been using milk paint for a couple of years now, mostly on furniture, and I absolutely love the finish it gives. It’s true that it requires more prep work, but I think the results are worth it. For walls, I’ve heard mixed reviews. Some say it’s not as durable, especially in high-traffic areas. I’m curious to hear others’ experiences with larger projects.
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@GreenThumb88 Thanks for sharing your experience! The finish is indeed beautiful. I’m leaning towards trying it on walls in a low-traffic area first to see how it holds up. Do you have any tips for ensuring durability?
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I tried Real Milk Paint Co. for a small wall project and was really impressed with the coverage and how it brought out the texture of the wall. However, I did find that it took more coats than expected, which added to the cost. For those considering it, I’d recommend buying extra to avoid running out mid-project.
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@NatureLover23 That’s a great tip about buying extra! I’ve been on the fence about trying milk paint for my kitchen cabinets. How did you find the durability over time?
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I’ve experimented with both milk paint and clay paint for walls. While milk paint gives a unique, historical look, I found clay paint to be more forgiving and easier to apply for large areas. Both are eco-friendly options, but it really depends on the look you’re going for and how much time you’re willing to invest in prep work.
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@SunnyDaysAhead That’s interesting! I haven’t tried clay paint yet. How does the finish compare to milk paint? I’m looking for something with a matte finish but also durable.
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Just a heads up for anyone considering milk paint for large projects: it can be quite time-consuming. I used it for my living room walls and, while the result was stunning, it took a lot longer than I anticipated. Make sure you have the time and patience before diving in!
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@RetroRenovator Thanks for the warning! I’m definitely prepared for it to take longer, but it’s good to hear that the end result was worth it. Did you use any particular techniques to speed up the process?
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I’ve been using milk paint for a couple of years now, mostly on furniture, and I absolutely love the finish it gives. It’s true that it requires more prep work, but I think the results are worth it. For walls, I’ve heard mixed reviews. Some say it’s not as durable, especially in high-traffic areas. I’m curious to hear others’ experiences with larger projects.
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I tried milk paint on a small section of my wall as a test, and while the color was beautiful, I noticed it didn’t hold up well to cleaning. I ended up going with a different eco-friendly paint for the rest of the house that was easier to apply and more durable. It’s a tough call because the aesthetic of milk paint is unmatched, but practicality has to come into play for big projects.
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I’ve been using milk paint for a while now, and I agree, the finish is unmatched. But yeah, the prep work can be a bit of a hassle. For walls, I found that using a good primer first really helps with the coverage and reduces the number of coats needed. It’s a bit of an upfront cost, but it pays off in the long run.
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Interesting take on milk paint. I’ve been curious about it but haven’t taken the plunge yet. How does it hold up over time, especially in high-traffic areas? I’m worried about durability and whether it’s worth the extra effort and cost compared to conventional paints.
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I tried milk paint on a couple of furniture pieces and loved the eco-friendly aspect, but I did notice it chips easier than synthetic paints. Maybe it’s just the brand I used, but it’s something to consider if you’re thinking about using it in areas that get a lot of wear and tear.
For those worried about the cost, I found that mixing my own milk paint from raw ingredients was significantly cheaper. It does require a bit of experimentation to get the consistency right, but there are plenty of tutorials online. Plus, it’s kind of fun to make your own paint!
I’ve used milk paint for both furniture and walls, and while I love the finish, I agree it’s not the most durable option out there. For walls, I ended up using a natural wax finish over the milk paint to add some extra protection. It worked really well and gave the walls a nice, soft sheen.
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Has anyone tried combining milk paint with other natural finishes? I’m curious about how it interacts with things like shellac or natural oils. I’m thinking about experimenting with different combinations to see if I can get the best of both worlds in terms of durability and finish.
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I totally get where you’re coming from with the milk paint. I used it on a couple of accent walls in my living room, and while the finish is undeniably beautiful, the prep work was a bit of a headache. I found that using a good primer beforehand made a world of difference, though. It helped with the coverage and made the paint go on smoother. Have you tried any primers that work well with milk paint?
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Interesting take on clay paint vs. milk paint. I’ve been on the fence about which to use for my kitchen cabinets. I love the idea of milk paint for its historical authenticity, but the ease of application with clay paint is tempting. How did you find the durability of clay paint compared to milk paint? I’m worried about wear and tear in a high-traffic area like the kitchen.
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