Limewash: What It Is, Where to Use It and How to Choose

Limewash is one of the oldest ways to colour a wall. It has a depth all of its own: a mineral matt with soft variations of tone that shift through the day. This guide explains how it works, where it makes sense and how to choose between the four brands Pigment & Co represents.

What is limewash?

Traditional limewash is made from slaked lime, water and mineral pigments. What sets it apart is how it bonds to the wall. Acrylic paint forms a film on the surface; limewash soaks into it and, as it dries, reacts with carbon dioxide in the air and turns back into limestone. It stops being a layer on the wall and becomes part of it.

That is why it breathes and has the living, slightly irregular look of whitewashed Mediterranean houses.

Limewash or emulsion?

They are different choices. Limewash is chosen for its mineral look and for the way it lets a wall breathe; emulsion for deep, even colour and, in the washable finishes, easy cleaning.

Where to use limewash

Façades and old walls. On lime render, rammed earth or porous stone, traditional limewash is the natural choice: it lets the wall breathe, stops moisture getting trapped and protects the building from the weather. This is the territory of Farrow & Ball Limewash and Little Greene Limewash.

Interiors. Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, ceilings. On lime plaster, stone or other porous mineral walls, Farrow & Ball Limewash works just as well indoors as out. On gypsum plaster, plasterboard or walls that are already painted, there are lime paints designed for today's homes, applied over the right primer: Pure & Original Fresco and Marrakech Walls, and Kalklitir.

Kitchens and bathrooms. Yes, with the right protection and away from direct water, such as the shower.

Where not to use it. Traditional limewash will not bond to impervious surfaces: cement render, gypsum plaster, non-porous brick, granite or slate. There, choose an interior version with a primer, or another finish.

The four options we sell

Farrow & Ball Limewash

Traditional limewash made from calcium hydroxide, for interior and exterior walls and ceilings. It bonds to the building itself and suits lime render, lime plaster and porous stone. Apply four thin coats (at least three) on a dampened wall with a long-haired brush; professional application is recommended. It will not take modern paints afterwards. 5 L tin. Made to order: allow 4–5 working days.

Little Greene Limewash

Designed for exteriors and traditional buildings: lime render, cob and porous masonry. It is highly vapour-permeable, which helps reduce damp in the walls. Around 6 m² per litre; four coats on new render, two or three over old limewash, always on a dampened surface and by brush. Made in pastel shades from the Little Greene palette, in 5 L.

Pure & Original Fresco and Marrakech Walls

Fresco is a 100% mineral, ready-to-use lime paint for interiors. Over plaster, plasterboard or a painted wall, it goes on after WallPrim Pro. Two coats with the Fresco Pro Lime Brush or a cotton cloth, 8–10 m² per litre per coat. Protected with Dead Flat Eco Sealer or Lime Soap, it is ready for kitchens and bathrooms.

Marrakech Walls is a decorative lime plaster worked with a spatula for a tadelakt or concrete look. One or two layers, protected with Dead Flat Eco Sealer (matt and washable), Lime Soap (soft, water-repellent satin) or Italian Wax (high gloss).

Both come in all 193 Pure & Original colours.

Kalklitir

Powdered lime paint, mixed with water when you paint. It gives a deep, velvety matt with the character of a stone wall, and is easy to apply even if you have never used lime. For interiors, over matt or semi-matt water-based paint, concrete, gypsum, plaster or wood; new or non-porous surfaces take the brand's Primer first. Two coats; 1 kg covers about 8 m². Plaster Paint Raw adds a plaster texture and the Top Coat protects against stains and splashes. 36 colours.

At a glance

In short: for a façade, Farrow & Ball or Little Greene. For interior walls in lime plaster or stone, Farrow & Ball. For interiors over gypsum plaster, plasterboard or a painted wall, Pure & Original or Kalklitir. For texture or a concrete look, Marrakech Walls or Kalklitir with Plaster Paint Raw.

How to apply it, in brief

1. Prepare. The surface must be sound, clean and free of loose material. On old walls, repair with lime mortar, never modern fillers.
2. Dampen (traditional limewash). The wall should be damp but not running before each coat. On a dry wall the lime dries too fast and turns powdery.
3. Thin coats. Several thin coats work better than a few thick ones, which can craze as they dry. Follow each brand's time between coats.
4. Conditions. Avoid direct sun, wind, rain and frost. Outside, paint early so it dries before the evening damp.
5. Protection. Lime is alkaline: wear gloves and eye protection.

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For step-by-step instructions on each product, see our Kalklitir guide, our Pure & Original guide and our how-to videos.

Colour in limewash

Colour behaves differently in limewash. Wet, it looks much darker and lightens considerably as it dries. It also depends on the wall: a more absorbent render gives a different tone from smooth plaster. And it is never perfectly even, which is exactly what gives it life. Always test the colour on the wall itself before deciding.

Frequently asked questions

How long does limewash last?

There is no fixed term: it depends on the wall and how exposed it is. Outside, when it is time to refresh it, two or three coats go straight over the existing limewash, without stripping.

Can I apply limewash with a roller?

It isn't recommended. Both Farrow & Ball and Little Greene specify a brush, to work the lime into joints and cracks. Fresco goes on with its own brush or a cloth; Kalklitir by brush.

Does limewash cover cracks?

No. It softens small irregularities, but cracks should be repaired first with a material compatible with the wall.

How do I clean and maintain it?

Outside, low-pressure water is enough for light dirt. Keep plants away from the façade and gutters in good order. Inside, it depends on the protection: with a sealer or top coat, wipe with a damp cloth.

Can I apply limewash over a painted wall?

Inside, yes, with Fresco or Kalklitir over the right primer. Traditional limewash, inside or out, needs a bare mineral surface, so any previous paint has to be removed first.

Is limewash eco-friendly?

It is mineral, water-based and very low in volatile organic compounds, or VOC-free in the Pure & Original and Kalklitir versions. As it dries, it absorbs carbon dioxide from the air.

See all our lime paints in the limewash collection.