Short answer: Limewashing an interior wall means brushing several thin coats of lime and water, often with added pigment, onto a surface that can absorb it. The wall has to be checked first, because limewash needs a porous, mineral base such as lime plaster, bare brick or a suitable base coat. Done properly, it gives a soft, chalky, slightly cloudy matt finish that lets the wall breathe.
What limewash actually is
Limewash is slaked lime (lime that has been mixed with water and left to mature) thinned down into a liquid. It hardens by taking in carbon dioxide from the air, slowly turning back into something close to limestone. Because of that, it soaks into the wall and becomes part of the surface, rather than sitting on top like a plastic skin. It is one of the oldest wall finishes in Britain, and it is still used on old houses because it lets moisture move in and out of solid walls.
Finest Plastering installs limewash. We do not sell it. If you would like to buy limewash and apply it yourself, our sister company Zavoré sells it through its online shop.
The survey comes first
Before we price a room, we need to know what the walls are made of and what is already on them. From your photos we can usually tell whether a wall is plasterboard, old lime plaster or modern gypsum plaster, and whether it has been painted. Some questions only get answered on site, such as whether there is damp, whether old paint is loose, or whether patches of past repairs will take the limewash differently from the rest of the wall.
We then tell you what preparation is needed. That might be filling cracks, removing flaking paint, or applying a mineral base coat so the limewash has something to grip. If a wall is not suitable, we say so before any work is booked.
How we protect the room
Limewash is a runny, alkaline liquid. When wet it can irritate skin and eyes and it can mark stone, wood and glass. So the room is cleared as far as possible, floors are covered with sheeting, and skirting boards, window frames and sockets are masked. Our team wear gloves and eye protection while mixing and brushing. If you are living in the house during the job, we agree which rooms we need and keep the rest of the house clear.
Applying the coats
- The wall is misted with a little water so the limewash does not dry too fast.
- The first coat is brushed on in all directions with a wide brush. It often looks patchy and almost see through at this stage. That is normal.
- Each coat is left to dry before the next goes on, usually overnight.
- Most walls need three or four coats before the colour settles and the cloudy texture builds up.
Limewash dries noticeably paler than it looks wet, so we do a test patch on your actual wall before the full job. That way you approve the colour as it will finish, not as it looks in the tub.
How long it takes and what to expect after
Because each coat needs time to dry, a single room usually takes several days rather than one. The finish keeps hardening for weeks afterwards, so we ask that you avoid hanging pictures or pushing furniture against the walls in the first few days. Limewash is not as wipeable as a modern vinyl paint and a little powder can come off on hands if rubbed hard, especially early on. Most people see that as part of its character. If you want a harder, smoother lime surface instead, have a look at our lime plaster walls or the wider limewash page.
If you are thinking about limewash for a living room, bedroom or hallway, send us photos of the walls, rough measurements and the colour you like, and we will get a free online quote. You can also call 07592 929191 or email info@finestplastering.co.uk. We are based in Birmingham and travel across the UK; see the areas we cover.
Questions we get asked
Can limewash go on new plasterboard?
Not directly. Plasterboard is not absorbent enough on its own, so it needs a suitable mineral base coat first, and we confirm the right build when we survey the room.
Does limewash smell?
Limewash has very little smell compared with many paints. The room should still be ventilated while it dries.
Can I live in the house while you limewash?
Usually yes. We work room by room, keep sheeting and masking in place, and agree with you which rooms are out of use and for how long.