How to Whitewash Brick in 7 Simple Steps

Before you paint, take a few minutes to carefully inspect and prep your brick surface. If your brick walls or fireplace have been there for a while, you’ll likely notice some wear and tear that you’ll need to repair before you start painting. If you don’t have any significant cracks or damage in your brick or you want to keep them there for their added character, you can move to the next step. 

• Check for damage: Keep an eye out for any significant cracks in your brick and mortar or the grout between the bricks. Small dents or chips aren’t anything to worry about, but if you notice large gaps in the mortar, it’s best to seal them to prevent further damage.  

• Make repairs as needed: Use a small amount of acrylic caulk to fill in the gaps in your mortar or repair any brick wall cracks. Then, allow the caulk to cure for about 24 hours. For larger cracks or damage, you may need to work with a professional to replace the brick first.

If a previous owner painted your brick house or fireplace, or you painted them yourself and had a change of heart, you’ll need to get rid of any existing paint before you can move on. You can jump to step three if your brick is free of old paint.

You don’t want to make the mistake of skipping this step and not removing old paint; otherwise, your whitewash will end up cracking. This means it won’t stick to the brick as intended and will leave you with a less-than-desirable finish.

You can use a gel-based paint stripper to remove any stubborn paint. But before you get started, be sure to follow worker safety for stripping paint. Cover the surrounding area with protective sheeting, ventilate the space if you’re painting indoors, and put on personal protective equipment (PPE)--like a face mask, eye protection, long sleeves, and gloves.

Then, apply the gel stripper with a brush and let it sit on the brick for as long as the manufacturer suggests. Some paint strippers need more time than others to work their magic. Once the gel stripper has been sitting long enough, use a heavy-duty scraper tool to remove the goopy old paint.

Whether you’re giving your fireplace a facelift or brightening an entire wall, it’s always a good idea to clean the brick surface first. Otherwise, grease and grime could wreak havoc on your painting project.

• Dust first with a dry mop or duster: Use a dry mop or duster to capture any loose dust, dirt, or pet hair that’s hanging around. For the best results, wipe the walls and floors around your brick, too, to prevent any stragglers from flying into your wet paint later. 

• Apply a liquid cleaning solution: Next, mix one part dish soap and one part salt into a thick but spreadable paste. Use a rag to spread the cleaning solution over your brick surfaces, then work the paste into the crevices of the bricks with your brush. Let it sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing the cleaning solution off with a damp cloth. 

For tough stains, you may want to add boric acid to the water. Some brick surfaces may be dirtier than others, especially exterior walls or fireplaces. If your brick still shows signs of dirt, grease, soot, or grime, add one tablespoon of boric acid to a gallon of warm water.

Remember to wear gloves, a face mask, and protective eyewear if you work with boric acid. Otherwise, the boric acid could irritate your skin or eyes. Use your scrub brush to work the solution into the bricks, and rinse the bricks thoroughly once you’re finished.

You don’t need a lot of experience to whitewash brick, but you will need a lot of clean-up time if you don’t prepare the area first. 

• Tape off the area: Use painter’s tape to tape off the walls around your brick surfaces. If you’re painting a fireplace, tape kraft paper around your mantelpiece to avoid unwanted paint splatters. It’s also a good idea to cover your fireplace doors or grates to avoid getting paint inside your fireplace. 

• Cover your floors: Using kraft paper or drop cloths, cover your floors carefully to protect them from splatters, drips, or spills. If you’re whitewashing an exterior wall, place drop cloths around any landscaping that you don’t want to get paint on.

Mixing your own whitewash instead of buying a pre-made formula has a few benefits. First, it’s inexpensive and easy to do. Secondly, you can control the ratio of paint to water. 

We generally recommend starting with a 50/50 mix of white latex paint and water. Adding more water will give you a more transparent finish, and adding less water will give you a more opaque finish that's closer to standard white paint.

In a separate can or bucket, add your paint and water and mix thoroughly. Do a test swatch on a small section of brick and adjust your ratio according to how much you like the look of the current mixture.

Once you’ve achieved the perfect mix of paint and water, it’s time to start painting. Keep in mind that you’ll usually get better results by working in small sections (think 2 square feet or less). In doing so, you’ll be able to manage the amount of paint you apply and dab off, resulting in a more even finish.

To get started, lightly mist the brick with a spray bottle, then use your paintbrush to apply the whitewash to the face of the bricks, the edges, and the mortar. After painting a small area, gently dab some of the paint away with a clean rag, just as you would with different types of faux painting methods. 

How much you dab depends on how much you want the brick to show. If you want a whiter, brighter paint job, leave more whitewash on the surface. Otherwise, use your rag to wipe away a large amount of the paint mixture and leave just a thin layer of whitewash over your bricks and mortar. 

Once you’ve covered the entire surface, allow the whitewash to dry overnight before replacing any furniture or decor. At this point, you’re essentially done. If you want to, you can also apply a second or third layer of whitewash for a more opaque finish, but remember to let each layer completely dry first.

As long as you’ve prepped your area carefully, cleaning up after a whitewashing project is relatively easy. After the whitewash dries, clear the kraft paper and painter’s tape from your walls, floors, and wherever else you put them. Fold your drop cloths and put them away, too. 

Remove as much wet paint from your brush as you can, then wash the brush with warm water and dish soap. Use your fingers to rub the soap into the bristles, then rinse and shake the brush to remove any leftover paint, soap, or water. Finally, dry your brush with a clean rag and store it.