How to Whitewash Brick: Transforming Your Home's Character One Brushstroke at a Time

I still remember the first time I whitewashed brick. It was in my sister's 1920s bungalow, and we were both terrified we'd ruin the original masonry. Three hours later, we stood back and marveled at how the harsh red brick had transformed into something that looked like it belonged in a Tuscan villa. That's when I realized whitewashing isn't just about slapping white paint on brick—it's about understanding the delicate dance between preserving texture and creating something entirely new.

The Soul of Whitewashing

Whitewashing brick is fundamentally different from painting it. When you paint brick, you're essentially sealing it under an opaque layer. Whitewashing, on the other hand, is more like applying a translucent veil. The brick's natural variations, its weathered character, even some of its original color—all of these peek through the white wash, creating depth that painted brick simply can't achieve.

The technique has been around for centuries. Colonial Americans whitewashed their brick homes not just for aesthetics but for practical reasons—the lime in traditional whitewash had antimicrobial properties and helped protect the masonry. Today, we're usually after the look more than the protection, but understanding this history helps explain why whitewashed brick has such timeless appeal.

Before You Even Think About Picking Up a Brush

Your brick tells a story, and you need to read it before you start writing a new chapter. Is it interior or exterior? Painted previously or virgin brick? These aren't just technical details—they fundamentally change your approach.

Virgin brick is porous and thirsty. It'll drink up your whitewash mixture differently than brick that's been sealed or painted. I learned this the hard way on a project where half the wall had been previously sealed with a clear masonry sealer. The sealed sections repelled the whitewash while the unsealed areas absorbed it eagerly, creating an unintentional patchwork effect that took considerable effort to correct.

Cleaning is where most people want to cut corners, and it's where most whitewashing projects go wrong. You're not just removing dirt; you're creating a canvas. Use a stiff brush and a mixture of dish soap and water for interior brick. For exterior brick or particularly grimy surfaces, trisodium phosphate (TSP) is your friend, though wear gloves—that stuff means business.

Let the brick dry completely. I mean completely. Moisture trapped under whitewash can cause all sorts of problems down the line, from uneven coloring to actual structural issues if you're dealing with older mortar.

The Alchemy of Mixing Your Whitewash

Here's where whitewashing becomes more art than science. The basic formula is simple: water and paint. But the ratio? That's where your personal vision comes into play.

For a barely-there wash that just softens the brick's appearance, I go with a 1:1 ratio—equal parts water and white latex paint. Want more coverage? Decrease the water. I've gone as thick as 3 parts paint to 1 part water for clients who wanted substantial coverage while still maintaining some brick texture visibility.

The paint matters too. Flat or matte latex paint works best because it doesn't create a sheen that fights with the brick's natural texture. I've experimented with adding a touch of gray or beige to the white paint for a more antiqued look—just a few drops can shift the entire mood from stark modern to weathered European.

Some purists insist on traditional lime wash, and I respect that. Lime wash is breathable, which is crucial for historic buildings where moisture management matters. But it's also caustic, requires multiple coats, and can be unpredictable. For most residential projects, latex-based whitewash gives you more control with less risk.

The Application: Where Theory Meets Reality

Start with a section you can complete in one session. Whitewash dries quickly, and trying to blend wet wash with dry creates visible lines that scream "amateur hour." I usually work in roughly 4x4 foot sections, though this depends on temperature and humidity.

Your brush choice matters more than you'd think. A cheap chip brush actually works brilliantly for whitewashing because its irregular bristles create natural variation in coverage. Those expensive, perfectly aligned bristles? Save them for trim work.

The technique itself is deceptively simple. Dip your brush, remove excess (but not too much), and apply in a cross-hatch pattern. Don't follow the mortar lines religiously—that creates an artificial look. Instead, work across the brick faces and mortar in random patterns. The goal is controlled chaos.

Here's something most tutorials won't tell you: the first coat often looks terrible. Blotchy, uneven, nothing like those Pinterest photos. Don't panic. This is normal. The beauty of whitewashing is its forgiving nature. You can always add more wash to even things out, or use a damp rag to remove excess while it's still wet.

The German Schmear Variation

If traditional whitewashing is like watercolor painting, German schmear (or smear) is like working with oils. Instead of diluted paint, you're using actual mortar spread across the brick face. It creates a more dramatic, Old World effect that completely transforms the brick's texture.

Mix white mortar with water to a peanut butter consistency. Using a trowel or putty knife, spread it over the brick, working it into the crevices. Before it dries, use a damp sponge to remove excess, revealing the brick beneath in places. It's messier and more permanent than traditional whitewashing, but the results can be stunning.

I'll be honest—German schmear isn't for everyone. It's labor-intensive and essentially irreversible. But for the right project, particularly on exterior brick that's seen better days, it can be transformative.

Living With Whitewashed Brick

Once you've whitewashed your brick, you're not done—you're just beginning a relationship. Whitewashed brick changes over time, and that's part of its charm. Interior whitewashed brick might develop a patina where people brush against it. Exterior whitewash weathers, creating authentic aging that you couldn't fake if you tried.

Maintenance is minimal but important. Dust interior whitewashed brick with a soft brush attachment on your vacuum. For exterior surfaces, an annual gentle washing with a garden hose (not a pressure washer—learned that lesson the hard way) keeps it looking fresh.

If areas wear thin or you want to refresh the look, touching up is easy. Mix a batch of whitewash with the same ratio you used originally and apply to the affected areas. The forgiving nature of whitewash means touch-ups blend naturally.

When Not to Whitewash

Sometimes the best decision is not to whitewash at all. Historic brick, especially handmade brick with unique character, might be better left alone. I've talked clients out of whitewashing beautiful clinker brick or rare glazed brick that would lose its distinctiveness under whitewash.

Structural issues need addressing before any cosmetic treatment. Crumbling mortar, water damage, or efflorescence (those white salt deposits) are signs of problems that whitewash won't fix and might actually worsen.

The Emotional Journey

What surprises people most about whitewashing brick isn't the technique—it's the emotional journey. There's always that moment of doubt when you've covered about a third of the wall and it looks like you've made a terrible mistake. Push through. The transformation doesn't reveal itself until you step back and see the whole.

I've whitewashed brick in everything from cramped city apartments to sprawling suburban homes. Each project teaches me something new. The way light plays on whitewashed brick at different times of day. How the same technique can make a space feel either rustic or refined, depending on the execution.

The most rewarding part? Returning to a project months or years later and seeing how the whitewash has settled into its space, becoming part of the home's story rather than just a surface treatment. That's when you know you've done more than just change a color—you've transformed a space.

Whitewashing brick isn't just a design trend that'll be gone in five years. It's a technique with centuries of history that continues to evolve. Whether you're softening the harsh red brick of a 1980s fireplace or bringing new life to a century-old exterior wall, whitewashing offers a way to honor the past while creating something fresh. Just remember—it's not about achieving perfection. It's about creating character, one imperfect brushstroke at a time.

Authoritative Sources:

Carley, Rachel. The Visual Dictionary of American Domestic Architecture. Henry Holt and Company, 1994.

Grissom, Carol A. "The Conservation of Architectural Lime Mortars." Association for Preservation Technology International, vol. 23, no. 1, 1991, pp. 40-46.

London, Mark, and Delia London. Masonry: How to Care for Old and Historic Brick and Stone. Preservation Press, 1988.

Mack, Robert C., and John P. Speweik. "Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Masonry Buildings." Preservation Briefs, no. 2, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1998.

Weaver, Martin E. Conserving Buildings: A Manual of Techniques and Materials. John Wiley & Sons, 1997.