What Is Whitewashing a Cabinet?

Benefits of Whitewashing

• If you have a dark room, whitewashing the cabinetry brightens up not only the cabinets but the entire room. Whitewashing gives cabinets an antiqued, "shabby chic" look. Whitewashing has an imperfect, distressed look, so small scratches and dings add to the character of the cabinets. Whitewashing is appropriate in casual rooms with country, French country, cottage or seashore themes.

Whitewashing Techniques

• Whether you are using white stain, white-tinted clear coat or diluted white paint, the whitewashing process involves painting the solution onto the cabinets with a paintbrush or wiping it on with a rag. Allow the solution to penetrate for a few seconds before wiping off the excess. How much whitewash you apply and how much you wipe off depends on how much wood you'd like to show through.

Whitewashing With Slaked Lime

• If you want to give your cabinets a true, old-fashioned whitewash treatment, use slaked lime instead of stain or paint. This process involves mixing together finely ground limestone powder, water, saltwater and sometimes powdered milk or paperhanger's paste, then applying the mixture with a paintbrush. This mixture dries to form a hard, protective shell.

Considerations

• Whitewashing is a messy project. Cover floors, countertops and furniture with drop cloths, and mask any areas you'd like to keep free of whitewash. Use stains, paints and clear coats in a well-ventilated room. If using a slaked lime solution to whitewash your cabinets, use a disposable paintbrush and throw it away at the end of your project.