How to Whitewash Brick: Transforming Your Home's Character with an Ancient Technique

Brick walls possess an undeniable charm—their weathered surfaces tell stories of decades past, each imperfection a testament to time's passage. Yet sometimes these stalwart structures need a refresh, a way to brighten dark interiors or unify mismatched additions. Enter whitewashing, that centuries-old technique that's experiencing a renaissance among homeowners seeking to honor their home's bones while giving them new life.

Unlike painting, which creates an opaque barrier between you and the brick's natural texture, whitewashing allows the material's inherent character to shine through. It's a delicate dance between concealment and revelation, one that requires understanding both the chemistry at play and the aesthetic you're after.

Understanding What Whitewashing Actually Does

Whitewashing isn't just diluted paint slapped onto brick—though plenty of DIY disasters stem from that misconception. Traditional whitewash consists of lime and water, creating a breathable coating that chemically bonds with the brick's surface. This bond matters more than most people realize. When lime carbonates upon exposure to air, it forms calcium carbonate crystals that literally become part of the brick itself.

Modern variations often substitute latex paint for lime, trading longevity for convenience. While purists might scoff, there's wisdom in choosing your battles. A lime wash on interior brick might be overkill when a paint-based solution achieves your desired aesthetic with less fuss.

The real magic happens in the application. Because whitewash is translucent rather than opaque, it settles into the brick's crevices differently than paint would. This creates depth and variation that flat paint simply can't match. Some bricks drink up more wash than others, creating a naturally mottled appearance that no faux finishing technique can truly replicate.

Preparing Your Brick Surface

Here's where many projects go sideways before they even begin. Brick preparation isn't glamorous work, but skipping it is like building a house on sand. Start by examining your brick closely—and I mean really closely. Run your hand over it. Does mortar crumble at your touch? Are there efflorescence blooms (those white, salty deposits) creeping across the surface?

Cleaning brick properly requires more than a quick sweep with a broom. For interior walls, a thorough vacuuming with a brush attachment removes loose debris from mortar joints. Follow this with a damp cloth wipe-down, working from top to bottom. Exterior brick demands more aggressive tactics: a stiff brush and mild detergent solution, or for stubborn grime, a diluted muriatic acid wash. Just remember—acid and limestone-based mortars don't play nice together, so test in an inconspicuous spot first.

Let everything dry completely. I cannot stress this enough. Moisture trapped beneath whitewash leads to peeling, bubbling, and general disappointment. In humid climates, this might mean waiting several days after cleaning. Patience now saves heartache later.

Choosing Your Whitewashing Method

The traditional lime wash remains unmatched for authenticity and breathability. Mix hydrated lime with water to create a thin, milk-like consistency—typically one part lime to two parts water, though brick porosity affects this ratio. Some old-timers add a touch of salt, claiming it helps the wash adhere better. Whether that's science or superstition, I'll leave for you to decide.

Paint-based whitewashing offers more control and predictability. Mix one part white latex paint with one to four parts water, depending on desired opacity. The more water, the more translucent your finish. Some folks add a splash of gray or beige to soften stark white—a trick that prevents your brick from looking like it's been attacked by correction fluid.

Then there's the German schmear technique, which uses mortar instead of paint or lime. This creates a heavier, more textured finish that completely transforms brick's appearance. It's permanent, labor-intensive, and not technically whitewashing, but it deserves mention for those seeking dramatic change.

Application Techniques That Make the Difference

Forget everything you know about painting walls. Whitewashing demands a different mindset entirely. Work in small sections—about four square feet at a time—applying wash with a brush in irregular patterns. The goal isn't uniform coverage but rather controlled chaos.

Start with a dampened brick surface. This prevents the brick from immediately sucking up all your wash, giving you time to work it into crevices and adjust coverage. Use a large brush for initial application, then switch to a smaller one for detail work around mortar joints.

Here's where personal style enters the equation. Some prefer heavy coverage that merely hints at underlying brick. Others barely kiss the surface, creating subtle highlights. There's no wrong answer, only what speaks to you. I've seen people use everything from sea sponges to crumpled newspaper to create texture. One client even used her grandmother's lace doilies as stencils—unconventional, but the results were stunning.

Work quickly but don't rush. Whitewash dries fast, especially on porous brick. If you hate what you've done, a damp rag can remove wash before it sets. After about 15 minutes, though, you're committed.

Managing the Mess and Unexpected Challenges

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: whitewashing is messy. Really messy. Those Instagram photos of perfectly whitewashed fireplaces don't show the splattered floors, the wash in your hair, or the three showers needed afterward. Protect everything you don't want whitewashed—floors, furniture, yourself. Plastic sheeting and painter's tape are your friends.

Brick varies wildly in porosity, even within the same wall. You might find certain bricks gobbling up wash while others repel it like water off a duck's back. This isn't failure; it's character. Embrace the variation or adjust your mixture accordingly.

Outdoor projects face additional challenges. Wind carries lime wash surprisingly far—your neighbors might not appreciate their spontaneous home improvement. Weather matters too. Avoid whitewashing in direct sunlight or when rain threatens. Lime wash needs time to carbonate properly, and extreme conditions interfere with this process.

Living with Whitewashed Brick

Once dried, whitewashed brick requires minimal maintenance. Interior applications might need occasional dusting, while exterior surfaces weather naturally over time. This aging process is part of whitewashing's appeal—it develops more character as years pass.

Some people panic when their freshly whitewashed brick looks too bright or uneven. Give it time. Whitewash mellows and evens out over several weeks. What seems garish on day one often settles into exactly what you envisioned by week three.

If you used traditional lime wash, you can refresh it periodically without stripping previous coats. Paint-based washes might require more aggressive removal before reapplication, though they typically last longer between touch-ups.

Final Thoughts on the Whitewashing Journey

Whitewashing brick isn't just about changing color—it's about transformation while honoring what exists. In our rush to update and modernize, we sometimes forget that the best renovations work with a home's existing character rather than against it.

I've whitewashed brick in century-old rowhouses and 1960s ranches, each project teaching me something new. The technique remains consistent, but every wall tells its own story through the wash. Some fight you every step, while others seem to welcome the change.

Perhaps that's what I love most about this process. It's unpredictable in the best way, forcing you to collaborate with your materials rather than dominate them. In an age of instant gratification and perfect Pinterest boards, whitewashing reminds us that true beauty often lies in imperfection and patience.

Whether you choose traditional lime wash or modern alternatives, approach your brick with respect and curiosity. Let the material guide you toward its best expression. The result might surprise you—and that's exactly the point.

Authoritative Sources:

Carran, Dorn, et al. "A Short History of the Use of Lime as a Building Material Beyond Europe and North America." International Journal of Architectural Heritage, vol. 6, no. 2, 2012, pp. 117-146.

Historic Structure Report: Lime Mortars and Whitewashes. National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, Technical Preservation Services, 1998. nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs/2-repoint-mortar-joints.htm

MacDonald, Marylee. Preservation Brief 2: Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Masonry Buildings. National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1998.

Moropoulou, A., et al. "Characterization of Ancient, Byzantine and Later Historic Mortars by Thermal and X-ray Diffraction Techniques." Thermochimica Acta, vol. 269-270, 1995, pp. 779-795.

Snow, Jonathan, and Claire Torrence. "Understanding Lime in Historic Preservation." APT Bulletin: The Journal of Preservation Technology, vol. 45, no. 2/3, 2014, pp. 45-52.