How to Make Whitewash

Co-authored by Mark Spelman

Last Updated: May 9, 2024 Fact Checked

Whitewashing is a type of surface covering that is used as a sealant typically on farms for the inside of barns and chicken coops. Traditional whitewash is made by mixing powdered lime with water and provides a paint or sealant that is non-toxic and safe for animals. Many people like the look of whitewash because it’s a thinner paint that allows the natural wood grain to show. It has become a trend to create a whitewash look for household furniture. Although traditional whitewash isn’t a good choice for furniture because it easily rubs off, you can achieve the whitewash look for your furniture by thinning latex paint with water.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making Traditional Whitewash

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1
Gather the materials. To make traditional whitewash, you’ll need a few materials that can be purchased at your local home improvement store. ^{[1]
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- Hydrated lime, also known as builders or masonry lime. Make sure you don’t get garden lime because this is a different substance.
- Fine grade salt
- Water
- A large bucket
- A dust mask, protective eyeglasses, and gloves
2
Mix the whitewash. Combine all of the ingredients in the large bucket to create the whitewash. Make sure to wear protective gear to minimize the risk of being hurt from the lime powder. Wearing a dust mask, protective eyeglasses, and gloves should be sufficient.
- Mix 2 cups of salt with 1 gallon of warm water and stir to dissolve the salt. ^{[2]
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- Add 6 to 8 cups of hydrated lime to the salt water.
- Mix well until the lime is dissolved.
- The mixture should be thinner than traditional paint.
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Use a paintbrush, roller, or paint sprayer to paint the whitewash where desired.
Allow the whitewash time to dry completely. The wash will turn white as it dries.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Creating a Whitewash Look for Furniture

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1
Collect the necessary materials to begin. You can easily get the materials needed to create a whitewash look for furniture from your local home improvement store.
- White latex paint
- Sandpaper, sanding block, or orbital sander
- Water
- Water-based polyurethane, if you want a sealant.
- A cloth
- A bucket or container
- Paintbrush
Whitewash looks best on raw wood so you need to use sandpaper, a sanding block, or an orbital sander to sand down the furniture. This will remove any finish already on the furniture for the whitewash paint to create the look you’re wanting. ^{[3]
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You need to remove all of the sawdust from sanding before painting the whitewash on the furniture to ensure a smooth finish. Use a dry tack cloth to wipe down the furniture and remove any dust on it.
Add one part paint to one part water in a bucket or container, and mix well. This will thin down the latex paint making it look more like traditional whitewash when you paint it on the furniture by letting the natural wood grain show through the paint. ^{[4]
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5
Paint the whitewash on the furniture. Use a paintbrush to paint the whitewash onto the furniture using long brush strokes that follow the wood grain. Apply thin coats for the best results. ^{[5]
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- Work in small sections because whitewash dries quickly.
- Allow the paint to dry completely, and then add more coats until you reach your desired look.
6
Create a finish. If desired, after the paint dries. you can paint a water-based polyurethane on the furniture to create a sealant and a finish. This is optional, but may make the whitewash look last longer.
- Choose between a matte or satin finish.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Which would be the best method for a wood board ceiling? Would the traditional way last?

Mark Spelman
Construction Professional
Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987.

Mark Spelman

Construction Professional

Expert Answer

The traditional method would work well. You should seal the whitewash with varnish or polyurethane when you're done.

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Question

Can I use oil-based polyurethane?

Mark Spelman
Construction Professional
Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987.

Mark Spelman

Construction Professional

Expert Answer

Definitely. This sealer will be a bit stronger than water-based polyurethane.

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Tips

If you think that your whitewash is too opaque after it has dried, sand it very lightly with a fine grain sandpaper. Do this slowly and cautiously so you don't remove too much. Start in an inconspicuous area first to determine if this is the look you're going for.

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The whitewash will become more white as it dries, so wait several hours or until the paint is completely dry to evaluate if you need a second coat.

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When painting furniture, always paint brushstrokes going with the woodgrain.

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Warnings

If you don’t seal your whitewash painted furniture, the paint will be more susceptible to wearing away.

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Lime is highly caustic so you need to take some precautions when handling it. Wear a face mask when you’re scooping the lime out so you don’t inhale the lime dust. It’s also recommended to wear safety glasses and gloves when handling lime as well.

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Unless you apply a sealer on top, whitewash is recommended for inside use only.

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How to Make Whitewash

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Making Traditional Whitewash

Creating a Whitewash Look for Furniture

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