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So you have a baby on the way, and you’ve decided to paint the nursery? Are you worried that you might not be able to find the right paint for your baby’s crib? Or has your little angel started chewing on the crib, and it needs to be repainted? If that’s the case, you’re in the right place! Today we’re going to talk about how to paint a crib. We’ll also discuss what paints to consider using to keep you and your little one on the safe side of things.
Babies are highly impressionable. And one of the first things they take in is their environment. Their closest surroundings consist of where they sleep, eat, and play. And more often than not, it’s all in the same place. While they may not express themselves, they observe every little thing.
CHECK THE TOP 2 BEST BABY-SAFE PAINTS NOW!
Therefore, it’s important to keep everything fresh and non-toxic. Moreover, babies have a habit of chewing everything around them, pacifiers, mattresses, or toys. This doesn’t exclude the crib they sleep in. You can’t prevent this, but you can fix it by painting over it.
We’re going to tell you everything you need to know about how to paint a crib so that you can welcome your baby to a well-finished cradle.
Is It Safe To Paint A Crib?
Before we move on to the ins and outs of painting a baby crib, let’s answer the obvious question: Is it safe to paint a crib?
Yes, it’s safe to paint a baby crib. However, it’s crucial for your baby’s health that you don’t use paint that may be toxic. You also have to be extra careful if you choose to use spray paint. The safest paint to use is water-based, zero-VOC, and one that has no odor.
The most unhealthy thing while painting a crib is the emission of VOC. It forms fast and pollutes the quality of air in and around the house. Once it takes form in the atmosphere, it creates ozone. The formation of ozone occurs when the VOC reacts with nitrogen oxides, sunlight, and oxygen in the air.
VOC chemicals can cause varied health issues like skin irritation, headaches, nausea, organ damage. They are found in various household products such as paints, cosmetics, vinyl floors, air fresheners, cleaning chemicals, fuel oil, mothballs, varnishes, pesticides, deodorants, upholstery fabrics, etc.
To help you further out, we have a list of things to keep in mind while buying baby-safe paint. Along with that, we’ve covered the appropriate supplies that you will need, so you don’t fall short of anything while you’re creating your very own DIY masterpiece. Moreover, these non-toxic paints can be ordered on Amazon. Now let’s dive in!
How To Paint A Crib – What’s Allowed And What’s Not
Cribs are difficult to paint because you need to sand every nook and cranny. It gets tedious, to say the least. So let’s take a look at some guidelines to follow while painting a crib.
1. Is The Paint Safe For Your Baby?
Perhaps one of the first and most important things to keep in mind is to get baby-safe paint. Baby-safe paints are Zero-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) – less than 5 per gram liters of organic compounds. They should be natural or water-based paints without any toxic chemicals, fuming substances, or odor.
Water-soluble paints are non-toxic and have no lead. If you find paints that don’t check even one of the requirements listed above, skip those. It may take some research, but nothing is more important than keeping your baby safe.
Remember to look for paint that doesn’t need a primer. It should have fewer additives to ensure that you and your family aren’t exposed to a lot of chemicals at once. Paints with anti-microbial agents are a plus as they will protect your house against mold and mildew.
2. Right Supplies For Painting A Crib
After safety, it comes down to getting honed in on adequate supplies you’ll need to paint a crib. Here is a list of key supplies that you should not compromise on:
- A round painting sponge
- A mask to protect your face from getting paint on it and to prevent you from inhaling unwanted particles and/ or dust
- A lint-free cloth
- A tack cloth
- Ultrafine abrasive pads
- Safe liquid sandpaper that’s fine or medium grit, or a de-glosser
- A non-toxic topcoat that’s free of lead and odor, with zero-VOC.
- A top-quality paintbrush with a synthetic bristle or a paint sprayer
- A fine mist setting with clean water in a spray bottle
- A mixture of vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio or a no-rinse TSP substitute
- And of course, baby-safe water-soluble paint with no odor, lead, and zero-VOC.
Top 2 Best Baby Safe Paints 2021
1. Renaissance Furniture Paint
The Renaissance Furniture Paint is a DIY paint by the Retique It Store. It’s available in 40 different colors and has excellent coating coverage to get your work done in a single coating. However, a second coat wouldn’t hurt! It doesn’t require any priming or sanding and is said to be non-toxic.
This paint includes zero-VOC, which makes it safe to use indoors and protect your environment from any harmful emissions. It is explicitly curated for furniture, so it would be perfect for painting your baby’s crib. It is also hypoallergenic and free from odor.
Not only is it thick and even, but the leveling also doesn’t require a lot of labor. It’s the ideal choice for a smooth, chalky finish and dries in 30 minutes. This furniture paint is baby-safe {by brand name…), which makes it a lot more convenient for you to paint a crib.
CHECK THE PRICE ON AMAZON!2. Shabby Chic Chalk Furniture Paint
This chalk furniture paint is water-based and non-toxic. It doesn’t need a primer or undercoat, and it’s designed to give old furniture a new finish. It’s available in 37 different colors and is expressly created for an end product with a matte appearance.
It’s made with a rich pigmented formula and is safe to be used indoors around children, making it optimal for painting a baby’s crib. It comes in two sizes: 250 ml and 1 liter. It is cut out for several different surfaces such as bare wood, metal, plastic, brick, painted wood, plaster, and stone.
CHECK THE PRICE ON AMAZON!Steps For Painting A Baby Crib
Now that we’ve covered the paints you can use to safely paint your baby’s crib and the supplies that you need, let’s move on to how you can paint a baby crib.
Step 1
Make sure that you place the crib in an open area such as an open garage or a space that isn’t in use. Don’t put the crib on the floor, but use an old cloth or newspaper so that your floor doesn’t get an unintended paint job.
Clean the crib, and don’t leave anything out. Use a mixture of vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio. You could also use a no-rinse TSP with non-abrasive pads. Don’t start painting until the crib is completely dry.
Step 2
Dismantle the crib before you start. This will allow you to paint the crib thoroughly and help you get to every pesky nook and cranny. Wear a mask to protect yourself from inhaling any dust. You should use a fine grit or medium grit sandpaper to scuff the surface lightly. This will help remove the old paint and get the crib’s surface, ready to stick to the new paint. Make sure the scuff is even.
Step 3
Use a tack cloth to get rid of any sand and dust on the crib. If there’s any sanding dust left on the crib, it will interact with the new paint and destroy your hard work. If you use a damp cloth to do this, it’s important to let the crib dry before painting it. This is an extremely important step that will help you achieve just the right result.
Step 4
Now it’s time to paint the crib. Use a baby-safe, non-toxic, zero-VOC paint that’s water-based and has no odor. Start painting, and make sure to use a good-quality brush that doesn’t threaten to ruin your work. It would be a good idea to buy brushes in several sizes because a big brush won’t be able to get to the corners. This is the first coating. Wait for five to six hours. Make sure that the paint has completely dried on the crib before applying the second coat.
Step 5
You can also use a safe top coat after the second coating of paint dries, but it’s completely up to you. A top coat would help give the crib a superior finish. However, if you’re using a baby-safe, non-toxic paint that doesn’t compromise on quality, you may not need to use a topcoat.
And, voila! You’re done painting your baby’s crib. Now all that’s left to do is to let it dry completely before putting it in the nursery.
Conclusion
Painting a baby crib can be daunting, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. You have to consider several things such as safety precautions, baby-safe paints, and the safety of those around you. Choose a safe, non-toxic paint with zero-VOC to protect your loved ones as well as your environment.
Paints with odor have chemicals that, upon inhalation, can prove to be harmful and hazardous. We don’t want you or the baby to inhale any toxic fumes. So we took it upon ourselves to create this guide on how to paint a crib with the utmost safety. We hope it helps to put your mind at ease. Happy painting!

As a mom, I am passionate about helping other parents on their baby’s journey. The first year plays such a critical role in the development of our little ones and it’s so easy to get overwhelmed. I cope with the challenges of parenthood doing lots of research on what’s easy-to-use, budget-friendly, and practical too. To that end, I started this website to share my findings, helpful tips, buyer guides, and baby product reviews. I enjoy Yoga, cooking hearty meals, and an evening out with my best friends.