DIY – Limewash/Whitewashing ~ It’s been done for thousands of years so let’s go back to the basics and discuss lime whitewashing. We didn’t chose to whitewash over paint just for a look. Here are the reasons why Whitewashing made a lot of sense for us to try.

1. Bright! Though we do have a skylight and will be adding lights (no longer the chandelier though, boo…. as they are always in the rafters) we felt white would give a cleaner, brighter feel.
   
2. Antimicrobial properties
3. Antibacterial
4. Mildew Prevention
5. Repels Insects (including those pesky red mites!) lice, bedbugs, fleas etc…
6. Repels Rodents
7. Mold Resistant
8. Non-toxic (still a chemical element though, so you don’t want to inhale the powder!!!)
9. No VOCS
10. Very inexpensive
11. Super easy to do

HOW TO:

The hardest part about whitewashing for me was finding the correct Lyme! After calling the HomeDepot, Lowe’s, Rona etc… I tried a local farm/feed store where I finally found some large bags. It was ridiculously cheap in comparison to a nice quality white paint and one bag would go a lot further than many cans of paint.

Don’t go crazy with exact measurements it’s really not necessary!

INGREDIENTS:

1. Hydrated Lime (6-8 Cups)
2. Salt (2 Cups)
3. Water

OPTIONAL INGEDIENTS:

1. Colour – I recommend natural pigments that are found in nature such as beet or berry juices. There are also natural coloured pigments you could order in.

TOOLS:

1. Bucket
2. Stir Stick
3. Paint Brushes

SAFETY (PPE):

It is caustic!

1. Full Length Clothes
2. Gloves
3. Safety Googles
4. Respirator/Mask – You do NOT want to breathe it in, the particles are fine and do create a dust cloud that you do NOT want to inhale into your lungs.

(Yes, you will see pictures of me doing this without the proper PPE…. I don’t always take my own advice. But, I should!)

DIRECTIONS:

1. 6-8 Cups of Hydrated Lime

1. 2 Cups of table salt (I don’t like wasting my Himalayan or other specialty salts for this, so I buy regular table salt just for this as we don’t use it ourselves)

1. Add enough water to cover all the dry ingredients
2. Stir
3. Keep adding water until you have consistency of a batter or looks like milk.
4. Paint!

TIPS :

1. Do NOT wear your favourite clothes like I did, it doesn’t just come out in the wash, I had to pick at it and wash it many times… I’m sure someone who actually separates their laundry and used the right techniques would get it out much easier than I did.
2. Be Patient!!! As it dries it becomes whiter and whiter.
3. Choose to paint in warmer or dry periods, As we noticed that it dried much quicker. Once I painted it later at night and because it didn’t have the heat of the day to dry, the morning dew helped it retain the moisture.

Becky

Becky is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Landscape & Production Horticulturist, Arborist and budding Herbalist, who recognizes and specializes in the link between healthy soil, the gut and the brain. She also loves being the mom to her two wild and crazy kids Brooke & Connor whom keep her and her ever loving, creative husband Jay on their toes.