How To Wash Off Whitewash From The Ceiling Quickly And Without Dirt + Video

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

We wash off whitewash from the ceiling simply, easily and effectively

Ceiling decoration is a prerequisite for any quality repair. First of all, before finishing work, the ceiling should be cleaned. Now there are many options for finishing with any materials that do not require complex work. But recently, the most common type was whitewashing, and if you need to process the ceilings in an old apartment where repairs have not been carried out for a long time, you will have to tinker with removing this coating.

Preparation for the process

The old whitewash must be removed without fail. This is not a very difficult task, but it will require your attention and knowledge of some subtleties. The work is still quite dusty and dirty, so you should prepare the necessary materials and tools in advance:

• good quality plastic wrap to cover furniture, walls and floors from dirt;
• respirator to protect lungs from dust;
• special construction glasses to prevent debris and dust from entering the eyes;
• a hat or shawl to protect your hair;
• a regular plastic spray bottle for quick surface moistening;
• a spatula for scraping wet whitewash from the ceiling;
• work clothes, preferably of dense fabric, covering all parts of the body;
• long rubber gloves;
• rags, rags, foam sponges;
• hot water (it will moisten the surface faster than cold water);
• a comfortable stable step ladder, table or construction trestle.

Before starting work, it is advisable to take all the furniture out of the room, which is possible, and cover heavier objects with plastic wrap, securing it with tape. Nevertheless, this does not give a 100% guarantee against dust ingress, therefore, after all the work carried out, it may be necessary to clean the furniture. Just in case, stock up on special tools if it is not possible to remove all the furniture from the room.

Be sure to use a respirator when working to protect your lungs from dust.

Cleaning options

There are several ways in which you can clean the whitewash. Each has its own characteristics and disadvantages.

1. Dry cleaning without exposure to water. The whitewash is removed from the ceiling with a spatula. Not the best option as it is time consuming, ineffective and dirty.
2. You can wash the ceiling with water until the whitewash is completely gone. A hard rag, or better a brush, will come in handy here. But this method is too "wet", moreover, it will require a lot of time and physical effort.
3. Some people use a washing vacuum cleaner to wash off the whitewash. This method is only suitable if one layer of chalk or lime is applied. The option is good because it will take little time and practically will not pollute the surrounding space. But the technique with such use can fail, so this method is questionable.

The fourth method is the most suitable for us: the base of the ceiling is moistened with warm water, and the surface is subsequently easily cleaned with a spatula

Moisten the ceiling with water with a brush or spray at arm's length. The atomizer is much more convenient, it requires less physical activity from you. After the whitewash is soaked, remove the lime or chalk layer with a scraper. After the bulk of the whitewash has been removed, clean the residue with a damp sponge or rag.

How to remove whitewash with a spatula and water

It is best to wet the ceiling in small patches, removing each layer gradually. This will prevent the water from drying out and you will not need to repeat the manipulation twice

Also, soap solution helps to wash off the lime from the ceiling. To prepare it, take:

• 10 liters of warm water;
• 2 tablespoons of grated laundry soap;
• 5 tablespoons of baking soda (soda ash).

Stir the ingredients thoroughly until completely dissolved, dip a sponge into the solution and wipe the ceiling until the whitewash is completely dissolved.

If these methods do not help to completely get rid of lime or chalk, apply a 3% solution of hydrochloric or acetic acid to the ceiling. From the effects of these substances, the whitewash will swell and be easily removed.

A few more simple ways

Professionals recommend dissolving 1 kg of table salt in a 10-liter bucket of hot water to clean the ceiling from chalky or lime whitewash, cool to 40 degrees, and then start work.

1. A very popular and effective cleaning method is the use of paste. Take 2 tablespoons of flour or starch per 1 liter of water, dilute in a little cold water, pour into boiling water and stir until thickened. The paste is applied in a small layer to the ceiling and stays on until it dries. The impregnated whitewash can be easily removed with a spatula.
2. Kleister will be useful to us for one more option. Massage newspaper sheets with a mass and glue them to the whitewashed ceiling so that one edge of each sheet remains free. Wait a little and rip off the newspapers: the ceiling is almost clean, and the room is free of dust and dirt. The paste can be replaced with simple cheap office glue. Remains of glue and whitewash can be easily washed off with a mop or wet cloth.
3. You can buy a special whitewash remover from the store. It is applied with a sprayer and after drying forms a crust because it contains glue. Now it can be cleaned with any tool; there will be no dust, but dirt cannot be avoided.
4. Try making your own wash. Take 5 liters of water (lukewarm), 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 3 caps of bubble bath. Mix thoroughly and cover the ceiling with this mixture (you can even cover an area of up to 3 square meters). Wait 5 minutes for the whitewash to soften, and then start cleaning.

These methods are the easiest to use and at the same time effective.

If you do not have a spray bottle, use brushes, rollers and rags to apply water or compound.

If there are cracks in the ceiling, it is better to expand them with a spatula while removing the old whitewash. So you will more thoroughly prepare the ceiling for repair: it will be easier to seal the cracks with putty.

Video on how to wash off the whitewash from the ceiling

We hope our tips will help you quickly get through the job of cleaning the ceiling. Share with us in the comments your experience in preparing the ceiling for further renovation. Good luck and easy work!