You learn something new everyday, and today I learned that you can paint with milk! I found out from this handy green painting guide from National Geographic.

Milk paints are virtually odorless and are made using the milk protein casein and lime. They contain no solvents, preservatives or biocides, though some do have synthetic ingredients like acrylic and vinyl. They come in powdered form and once opened or mixed with water, they should be used quickly, as they can mold if left to stand for a few weeks.

So I did some research on milk paint and found a company that is dedicated to reproducing old fashioned milk paint. From their about us:

In 1974, after much experimentation, we recreated an old Milk Paint formula to provide an authentic finish for our primary business of building reproduction furniture. Since then we have sold our paint to professionals who are either restoring original Colonial or Shaker furniture, making reproductions, or striving for an interior design look that is both authentic and beautiful. Milk Paint is now gaining an even wider usage because it contains only ingredients that are all-natural and will not harm the environment. Our authentic real milk paint is truely a “green paint” that comes in 20 colors.

I also found elsewhere a gallery of milk paint.

And here’s a video explaining how to use milk paint:

How have we missed out on milk paint on Things Are Good for so long? Anybody out there now anything more about this painting style?