How to Make Whitewash, Earth-friendly Paint

Going "green" and being earth-friendly is on most people's agenda these days. Here's a way to help protect the environment without giving up painting your home.
This whitewash is fairly easy to make and rather inexpensive compared to quality store bought paints. It works well on interior surfaces.
This recipe makes 3 quarts. Double the ingredients to make 6 quarts, or half it to make 1 1/2 quarts.
Here's how to make it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• wheat flour
• water
• screened clay (can be bought in a variety of colors)
• powdered mica
• cheap paint brush

1. Mix 2 cups of flour with 4 cups of cold water. Mix until there are no lumps.

2. Bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Now add your flour and water mixture to the hot water.

3. Turn heat to low. Continuously stir the concoction until it becomes a thick paste, then remove from heat.

4. Dilute this paste by slowly adding 4 cups of warm water.

5. Combine the clay and powdered mica filler in a seperate bucket. Add this mixture to your "green" earth friendly whitewash slowly until the desired consistency is reached.

6. Apply your whitewash with a cheap paint brush. Use cheap because this paint is tough on brushes. You will not be able to roll this paint. To remove brush marks, smooth over with a damp brush after paint begins to dry.

[langleycornwell]

on 8/25/2009 This is a great article. I've got to make this 'green' paint. I'll bet it would look great on a piece of distressed furniture.

[sonni57]

on 8/20/2009 Great information on making earth friendly paint I had no idea.

[goodselfme]

on 8/13/2009 Tx for the eco friendly white wash paint recipe.