What Is Milk Paint? Dry Time, Applications, and More

One look at milk paint, and you might think the chalky, sometimes distressed finish won’t last. While it might take on a rustic look depending on the application, it is one of the most resilient paint forms and one of the oldest; it was used thousands of years ago in cave drawings that still exist today.

Though this time-tested formula has been around for millennia, there’s still plenty to learn about it, particularly when it comes to how milk paint stacks up to other paint types and its pros and cons.

What Is Milk Paint?

Milk paint is a nontoxic, environmentally friendly, water-based paint that uses natural ingredients like milk protein (casein), lime, and clay. Because it doesn’t use solvents, binders, and an array of additives like many other paint varieties, it is safe for use indoors and doesn’t give off fumes and odors.

Milk paint comes in powdered form and is mixed with water just before use. While the mixed solution can be stored for a couple of weeks, the powdered, unmixed form can be stored for a lengthy time without compromising the color or formula.

Milk paint dries quickly after application, taking just one to two hours. This paint variety is porous, so it needs a top coat to properly seal out dirt, water, dust, and other contaminants. 

Milk Paint vs. Other Paint Types

Milk Paint vs. Chalk Paint: Milk paint has a chippier, more distressed look than chalk paint. It requires mixing with water, whereas chalk paint comes ready to use, aside from requiring remixing. Both options are low- to no-odor and are quick drying.

Milk Paint vs. Oil Paint: Oil-based paint has the benefit of a durable, smooth finish that can be applied over existing layers of oil- or water-based paint types. However, oil paint takes considerably more time to dry than milk paint, requiring 24 hours between each coat. Compared to the environmentally friendly aspects of milk paint, oil paint doesn’t stack up. It emits fumes that require suitable ventilation wherever the paint is being applied.

Milk Paint vs. Latex Paint: Milk paint comes in varieties that emit low to no volatile organic compounds (VOC), meaning these varieties are a safe alternative for indoor painting. Latex paint could require sanding before application, depending on the surface, and comes in a variety of finishes ranging from the matte look of a flat finish to the shiny appearance of a gloss.

Milk Paint Pros

Pro: Nontoxic and Environmentally Friendly
Because milk paint is devoid of harmful fumes and chemicals, it is a safe choice for indoor painting and for painting toys and furniture used by children. It also won’t be as irritating if it gets on your skin.

Pro: Quick-Dry Time
While some paint types require a full 24 to 48 hours to completely dry, milk paint can dry in a record 30 minutes to an hour. Err on the side of caution and give it four hours before you take a seat in your newly milk-painted chair.

Pro: Easy Clean Up
Accidents happen, even when you’ve carefully set up your painting area and protected surfaces from splashes, smudges, and droplets. Fortunately, the water-based milk paint formula is relatively easy to clean up on skin and clothes. 

Milk Paint Cons

Con: Requires Sealing
Because milk paint is a porous paint variety, it requires sealing to keep out contaminants. Hemp oil, finishing cream or glaze formula, and beeswax are a few routes to consider when selecting a finish. Be sure to opt for an environmentally friendly method, or you’ll forgo milk paint’s natural benefit.

Con: Price
Milk paint is pricey if you’re looking to coat large surfaces or areas. Stick to smaller projects to keep your milk paint-related expenses in check.

Con: Needs Mixing
If your milk paint comes in powder form, which it probably will, you must mix it. It is a simple process of combining the milk paint powder with water. Different brands recommend different techniques, including shaking, stirring, and using a small hand mixer.

How to Use Milk Paint

The beauty of milk paint is that it can add character and patina to a variety of surfaces thanks to its chipped texture and appearance. There’s beauty in its imperfection, which takes off some of the pressure when applying. Milk paint can be used on almost any surface, but its finished look will change accordingly.

One of the most popular ways to use milk paint is on furniture, where you can provide more or less chipping based on sanding and finishing techniques. Floors, walls, furnishings, and decor items are fair game for this distressed-looking paint, although you need to keep size in mind; this project can become pricey if you go too big.