Before starting a home decorating project, you must first choose the perfect type of paint for the job. Besides considering the colour and finish, it’s important to check the ingredients – especially if you care about your environmental impact.
Auro paint is one of the most ethical and environmentally friendly brands available in the UK. All Auro paints are sustainably manufactured, virtually VOC-free and made from 100% natural ingredients.
In this guide, we’ll explain why you should choose Auro natural paint and share our top tips on how to use it. We’ll also discuss where to buy Auro paint (UK).
Why Choose Auro Paint?
Auro are one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of natural, non-toxic paints and finishes. A certified carbon-neutral company, they have also been awarded the Ethical Consumer Best Buy Label for environmentally friendly paint.
Originally manufactured in Germany, Auro paint is now available in many countries worldwide, including the UK. All of Auro’s products are:
- Made from 100% natural mineral- and plant-based ingredients, with no petrochemicals or plastics
- Low in VOCs (making them safe to use around pets, children and people with paint allergies)
- Sustainably produced using solar energy and shipped using a CO2-neutral parcel service
Whether you’re decorating a kitchen, wooden banister or garden wall, Auro paints are the perfect choice. They come in a wide variety of formulas and finishes, including matt, gloss, satin and more.
How to Use Auro UK Natural Paints
As well as being one of the most eco-friendly paint options in the UK, all Auro paint products are designed for high performance. Incredibly easy to apply, they offer excellent coverage, quick drying times and beautiful results.
If you’re wondering how to use Auro paint correctly, here are our top 5 tips for achieving a professional finish.
1. Choose the Right Auro Paints for Your Project
To guarantee good results, it’s crucial to do your research and select the right type of paint for your project. For example, formulas designed for indoor use may not be hard-wearing enough for exterior walls.
You can browse Greenshop Paints’ full range of Auro paints here. Some of our best-sellers include:
- Auro Premium Emulsion no. 555: a durable, wipeable paint designed for interior walls and ceilings
- Auro Satin Paint no. 517: the perfect Auro wood paint for indoor and outdoor use (also suitable for metal surfaces)
- Auro Clay Paint no. 331: a highly breathable matt paint especially suited to older properties and lime walls
- Auro Chalk Paint no. 326: a fantastic Auro anti-mould paint with a lime-based formula, ideal for high-moisture environments
If you follow a vegan lifestyle, you should also ensure that you choose a vegan-friendly paint. While most Auro products are suitable, some may contain animal-based ingredients such as beeswax.
2. Order Tester Pots of Different Auro Paint Colours
Next, it’s time to start thinking about paint colours. Auro’s Colours for Life range comprises 96 beautiful nature-inspired shades, from soft pastel hues to vivid reds, turquoises and yellows. Each one is tinted with 100% natural mineral-based pigments.
If you’re not sure where to start, click here to request swatches of some of our most popular Auro paints. Once you’ve chosen your favourites, it’s important to see how the paint looks in various lighting conditions. We recommend ordering tester pots in a few different colours to decide which shade best suits your space.
3. Pay Attention to the Coverage Rate
The last thing you want is to be halfway through your decorating project only to discover you’re out of paint. So, make sure to measure the area you’ll be painting to ensure you order the correct amount.
You can find coverage rates for each Auro product on the Greenshop Paints website – simply navigate to the product page and scroll down to ‘Coverage’. For example, Auro 555 Premium Emulsion has a coverage rate of 9 sq.m per litre. This means that a 10-litre tin will cover approximately 90 square metres with one coat.
If using multiple tins of Auro wall paint, mix them together before painting. This is because, due to the natural mineral pigments, the colour of each batch may vary slightly.
4. Choose a Compatible Auro Paint Primer
If you want to achieve an even, professional finish, it’s important to properly prep your walls for painting. This may involve filling in cracks, sanding and cleaning the wall to remove dirt and imperfections.
You may also choose to apply a primer before painting. This isn’t always necessary if the surface is in good condition. However, it can help to cover stains, create an even surface and help the paint adhere.
For best results, choose a primer that’s compatible with both the surface and your chosen paint. For example, Auro Plaster Primer no.301 is ideal for use on bare plaster and fibreboard. If you’re working with a difficult substrate or covering existing paintwork, Auro Grip Coat (fine or granulated) may be a better choice.
5. Clean Your Tools and Dispose of Paint Responsibly
After painting, proper clean-up is essential. Failing to wash your tools while the paint is still wet may make it more difficult to remove.
Because Auro paint is water-based, there’s no need to soak your paint brushes and rollers in white spirit. It washes out easily with warm water and soap, such as Auro 411 Plant Soap. What’s more, all Auro paints are 100% natural and biodegradable – any pieces of dried paint can be composted or disposed of with your household waste.
If there is any paint left in the tin, you can save it for future projects. Press a layer of foil or plastic wrap against the surface of the paint to prevent a skin forming.
Where Can I Find Auro Paint Stockists (UK)?
If you’re looking for Auro paint suppliers, head to the Greenshop Paints online store. As the chosen main UK Auro stockists, we are proud to stock one of the biggest selections of Auro paints, finishes and decorating products in the country. We also work with many other leading eco brands including Earthborn, Treatex and Osmo.
You can browse our full range of Auro natural paints here, or click here to read our Auro FAQ. For any further questions about Auro or any of our other products, contact Greenshop Paints today.
Explore our range of natural paints: