Removing Whitewash From Furniture

Open windows and doors for ventilation, lay out sheets of newspaper to protect nearby surfaces and put on a pair of goggles. A mask, gloves and old clothing also should be worn.

Remove as many pieces off the furniture as you can. For example, door knobs, kitchen drawer pulls and cabinet hinges can be taken off the furniture and cleaned separately.

Pour non-flammable paint remover in a plastic bucket. Dip a soft-bristle brush in the paint remover and use it to scrub away the whitewash on the furniture. If your furniture has any grooves or etchings, use a toothbrush dipped in the paint remover to get between them. Frequently re-coat the brushes with the paint remover.

Wet and scrub the furniture until all the whitewash has been dissolved. Drop the furniture accessories you removed earlier into the paint remover that remains in the bucket. Wait 20 to 30 minutes for the paint to soften, then scrub the pieces with a toothbrush so they are free of whitewash.

Rinse the paint remover off the furniture or apply a neutralizing solvent. The paint remover product label will tell you which method to use.

Wait for the furniture to completely dry. Sand the furniture so the surface is smooth and ready for a new coat of whitewash. Reattach the furniture accessories.