What is Milk Paint

What is Milk Paint?

This incredibly unique paint can create all kinds of looks and finishes easily, and best of all it's all natural! As the name implies, milk is one of the ingredients of milk paint. When mixed with lime and some pigments a paint is produced that can be used on a variety of surfaces. The protein (casein) within the milk acts as a binder and the water portion of the milk becomes the thinner. Remember, it is the lime that plays a big role in the Milk Paint recipe.  When lime dries it becomes very hard (as it converts back to limestone!) and the result is almost like having a thin layer of reconstituted stone on your project. Another additional benefit attributed to lime is that mould and mildew do not grow on this slightly alkaline material.

Milk Paint Ingredients

1. Limestone
2. Earth Pigments
3. Clay
4. Chalk
5. Milk protein Casein

History of Milk Paint

You probably recognize this paint of yesteryear and think of it as old fashioned paints which no longer have a place in modern décor.  On the contrary!  Milk Paint produces a much-sought-after dead-flat to matte finish (produced with 100% environmentally sound ingredients) that appeals to many people.  This type of eco-friendly paint also has unique properties, one of which is its high porosity which is valued by restoration enthusiasts who understand that some surfaces, like lime plaster walls, need to breathe.  We now understand how debilitating damp related issues, such as mould and rot, can affect houses and the people who live in them. So it is great for indoor air quality!

Milk Paint outdoors

Sometimes oil would be mixed into the paint or be applied after the paint had dried.  This was done to seal the porous milk paint surface on furniture or exterior applications where water resistance was required. These paints were inexpensive and easy to make on the homestead.  Milk paint was used in the home, on furniture, and outside. Interior walls, however, would not be sealed. Milk paint is used today on a variety of items and its use continues to grow. When used on a porch or fence or grayed wood, for instance, it soaks into the wood fibers to never peel away as modern paints ultimately do.

That is why this paint is popular for big outdoor barns! You don't want to be repainting those too often. It can also be applied  to  any  porous  surface  such  as  plaster,  wood,  masonry,  etc. Reproduction furniture makers use milk paint to achieve an authentic appearance.  It is truly unique. Today milk paint is produced in powdered form to be simply mixed with water.

Homestead House Milk Paints

Homestead House Paint has Milk Paint available in over 50 colours however, the choice is limitless as the colours can be intermixed to achieve your desired shade. To protect certain projects and augment the patina on furniture, Homestead House Paint has various products available for purchase such as the Hemp Oil Wood Finish, Tung Oil, Beeswax and a Stain and Finishing Oils.

Milk Paint has had a huge revival in the painting industry over the last decade or so and shows no signs of stopping. As the most eco-conscious paint on the market today it is a sought after alternative for people choosing to live an eco-life. Homestead House Paint Company that has producing Milk Paint for over 30 years and is still going strong today. Our product is now being used in an interesting way by furniture flippers who are looking for a natural paint. So if you’re interested in improving your home's decor, check out our selection of milk paint products!

You can explore more about this unique type of paint here or join our Facebook group to get inspired to use Milk Paint.