A composition can embrace a fire retardant can be combined with a fluoropolymer, which can be a coating, for example, a paint, especially a latex paint, or which can be an organic solvent based coating, for example, a paint. The fire retardant can be an ammonium phosphate containing fire retardant, which can be combined with a fluoropolymer, a penetrating barrier, borate-containing formulation having resistance to water damage with protective properties coming from materials used in food packaging and cosmetics, and/or a medium-to-long chain polar carboxyl substance to make a composition. Also, a composition can embrace a fire retardant formulation having a cross-linked component, which composition may be a coating, for example, a paint or stain, especially a latex paint. The cross-linked component may be a base of the paint or stain, say, a vinyl acetate base of the fire retardant latex paint. At least one other active agent, for example, a mold inhibitor and/or an insecticide, may be included. The composition can be used by contacting it with a substrate, which beneficially is otherwise flammable. The composition or its residue may be found in combination with the substrate.