Flour Paint: Non-toxic, long-lasting… and Dirt Cheap Exterior Homemade Paint!
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🎨 Flour Paint: Non-toxic, Long-lasting… and Dirt Cheap Exterior Homemade Paint!
Looking for a budget-friendly, eco-conscious, and totally non-toxic way to paint your home, shed, or fence? Say hello to flour paint—a DIY paint that’s been used for centuries and is making a comeback among homesteaders, off-gridders, and natural living enthusiasts. 💚
Forget the overpriced, chemical-laden buckets at the store. You can make your own long-lasting exterior paint using just a few basic ingredients—some of which might already be in your kitchen! 🥣
Let’s dive into this amazing recipe that’s stood the test of time. It’s simple, safe, and stunning. 💪
🌾 What is Flour Paint?
Flour paint, sometimes called Swedish paint or farmhouse paint, is a traditional homemade paint made from:
- Flour (yes, regular flour!)
- Water
- Clay or earth pigments
- Linseed oil
- Salt
It dries to a beautiful matte finish, holds up for YEARS outdoors, and is totally non-toxic and biodegradable. Unlike modern paints, it doesn’t off-gas or leach harmful chemicals.
This paint has been used on barns, houses, and fences for hundreds of years in Scandinavia, and it’s just as useful today—especially if you want a sustainable, affordable paint option. 🙌
🧑🔧 How To Make Homemade Flour Paint (Step-by-Step)
🧾 Ingredients:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 quarts water
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup linseed oil (boiled, for durability)
- 1 to 2 cups natural pigment (iron oxide, clay, or powdered minerals)
🥄 Instructions:
- Make the flour paste
In a large pot, whisk 2½ cups flour into 1 quart of cold water until smooth. No lumps! - Cook it up
Slowly bring the mixture to a boil while stirring constantly. Reduce to a simmer for about 30 minutes. You’re making a kind of “paint glue.” - Add salt & pigment
Dissolve your pigment in the remaining 1 quart of warm water, then add it along with the salt into the flour paste. Stir until even. - Stir in the oil
Once it’s smooth and cool enough, mix in the boiled linseed oil. This step gives your paint weather resistance. - Let it rest
Let the paint sit for 24 hours before using—it helps the texture even out. - Apply like normal paint
Use a regular paintbrush and apply 2-3 coats on dry, rough, or sanded wood. Dries in 2–4 hours per coat!
🎉 That’s it. No VOCs. No scary ingredients. Just nature’s recipe for beautiful, strong, breathable paint.
💡 Why Use Flour Paint? (Benefits You’ll Love)
🧡 Non-toxic & safe — No harsh chemicals, perfect for kids, animals, and those sensitive to fumes
💸 Dirt cheap — Costs pennies per square foot
🌍 Eco-friendly — Completely biodegradable and made from natural ingredients
🌦️ Weather-resistant — Linseed oil and salt help it withstand the elements
🖌️ Rustic beauty — Gorgeous matte finish and earthy tones that blend with nature
♻️ Zero waste — Make only what you need and compost any leftovers
🧠 Pro Tips for the Best Results
✅ Use rough, untreated wood – Flour paint sticks best to uncoated or sanded surfaces
✅ Don’t use synthetic pigments – Natural earth pigments give a rich, authentic color
✅ Store leftovers in a cool place – It’ll last about 1 week, or freeze for longer
✅ Stir between uses – Ingredients can separate if it sits too long
✅ Apply in dry weather – Let each coat dry fully before applying the next
Want to go bold? Use red ochre for a classic barn red, or burnt sienna for a warm earthy orange. 🎨
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is flour paint waterproof?
Not exactly. It’s water-resistant, thanks to the linseed oil and salt, but not fully waterproof like acrylics. It’s perfect for exterior wood that breathes, like sheds and barns.
❓ Will it mold or rot?
Nope! Salt is a natural preservative, and linseed oil helps resist moisture. Just make sure the painted surface stays reasonably dry.
❓ Can I use it indoors?
Absolutely! It’s safe enough for children’s rooms, furniture, and even toys—just leave out the linseed oil if you don’t want the slight smell.
❓ How long does it last?
On exterior wood, 5–10 years is common before it starts to fade. Indoors, it can last decades!
❓ Can I paint over metal or plastic?
Unfortunately, no. Flour paint only sticks well to porous surfaces like wood, clay, or brick.
🔥 Make Your Homestead Pop Without Breaking the Bank
Whether you’re fixing up your off-grid cabin, reviving an old wooden fence, or just want a non-toxic option for the kids’ playhouse—flour paint is a powerful, practical, and pretty solution.
And let’s be real… 🌿 Anything that costs less than a latte and keeps toxins out of your home is a big win.
So ditch the plastic buckets and chemical fumes. Go old-school. Go flour paint. 💪
🚀 Ready to Try It?
If you’re looking for a DIY project that checks every box—affordable, natural, easy, and effective—this is it. Give flour paint a go, and you might never go back to store-bought again!
✨ Got questions? Leave them in the comments!
🔗 Want to bookmark this? Save the recipe for your next big project!
📌 Pin it. Share it. Paint with it.
👉 You’ve got a beautiful homestead to build—do it the healthy way.
