Make Your Own Eco Wallpaper Paste
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany 
on 10.31.06
Nowadays, wall paper paste comes with a slew of toxic ingredients. Not only does it smell terrible while you are applying it, chances are it will emit harmful VOCs (volatile organic compound) for years to come. But back in the day, this stuff was just a mix of flour and water. Looking for a simple green solution? Care2.com has a recipe that makes it easy to whip up your own batch of paste. In addition to flour and water, it includes cloves, a natural preservative, and alum (aluminum potassium sulfate). ::Care2.com via ::Interiordesign.net
Image courtesy of This Old House
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On the one hand, the article makes some rather dubious and unsubstantiated claims that comercially available wallpaper paste is somehow "harmful"; and on the other hand, we have a homemade concoction which contains alum.
Reviewing the MSDS for alum, we learn:
"This material is classified hazardous under OSHA regulations in the United States and the WHMIS Controlled Product
Regulation in Canada."
What's the deal?
Yes, but alum is approved by the FDA for use in cooking and in food processing. Only in quantities greater than 1 ounce does it become toxic to humans. Commercial pastes contain many toxic ingredients (which vary, depending on the specific paste) and VOCs, which are damaging to the environment.
Firm dough for making tiles and plates
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 tablespoons wallpaper paste
1/2 cup water