How to Make Discolored Ceilings White Again

Remove light fixtures in the room using a screwdriver to loosen the screws that secure the base. Depending on the fixture, there may be a shade that must be removed before the base can be removed from the surface of the ceiling.

Lay plastic drop cloths over the floor and atop furniture that remains in the room.

Place painter's tape around the entire room at the top of the wall where it meets the ceiling. This is especially important if you are not an experienced painter. The tape on the wall will prevent you from getting the white ceiling paint on the wall.

Paint a two- to three-inch border around the entire edge of the ceiling using a 2-inch paint brush. Painting the border will mitigate the possibility of coming too close to the wall with the roller.

Fill the paint roller pan with the ceiling paint and roll the roller in the paint until it is completely covered. Roll the roller on the ceiling, beginning at one corner and working your way across the room and to the other side. Dip the roller in the paint every several strokes on the ceiling. Let the paint dry overnight and replace the light fixture and roll up the plastic and dispose of it.