Whether you are painting the interior or exterior of your home or business, you want use materials that don’t add to the pollution of the atmosphere and soil. This doesn’t include visual pollution because of the colors your neighbor chose to paint his house. That’s a completely different issue.

Interior Painting
It is a simple task to be "green" when you decide to have a painting contractor do a little interior face-lift to your home. All you need to do is tell him to use eco-friendly materials. The paints will be latex-based with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOC). Latex paints are commonly referred to as water-based paints, meaning that no inorganic or organic thinners or chemicals that could pollute the air and soil are needed for cleanup. A little dishwashing soap and tap water is all that is needed.

Drop cloths should be made of cotton canvas and not plastic. The cotton drop cloths can be recycled and made into the underwear you’ll get for Christmas. The cheap plastic drop cloths usually end up in the land fill and last forever.

Ladders should be made of wood or aluminum, both of which are recyclable.

Exterior Painting
Exterior painting should have the same eco-friendly materials used as talked about in the interior painting section. Today’s high quality latex exterior paints are formulated to give you a beautiful finish that is low maintenance. An annual washing with the garden hose or pressure washer to remove excess dirt and dust will bring back the original color.

Because the paints are latex, the cleanup is the same as the interior paints. A mild soap such as dishwashing soap and tap water is all that is required. You want to ask your painting contractor to use an exterior grade latex that contains a fungicide and/or mildew inhibitor. This especially important for the places on your house that get very little sunshine, which can promote the growth of mildew and fungus. If you have noticed black spots or a bright green film any place on the exterior of your home, you will definitely want the fungicide enriched paint. It will keep the mold and mildew from returning, which in turn stops you from using strong chemicals like bleach to clean the areas.

Although painting appears like a job anyone can do, it does require skill and experience. The coats of paint must be evenly spread if you are to avoid color differences and the correct amount of paint applied to critical areas to stop chipping and peeling with a short time. A professional painter will provide the experience and skill. You need to supply the choice of colors.