Once we finished renovating our house in 2019, we knew we wanted to do something to the walls in the bathroom, but we didn’t know what yet. toward the end of 2022, we finally found the wall treatment for our bathroom … lime wash! I wanted to try lime wash since I did roman clay in my living room. I put together this post to share how I applied it and answer some of your questions about the technique. 

I got my lime wash from Portola and ordered quite a few samples before picking the final. To select a color, I did test swatches on an artboard and brought them into the bathroom to see how they looked in the bathroom lighting. I picked the color Kingdom at 50% for our bathroom — following their lime wash guide, I also ordered the primer, lime wash, and sealer.

It is essential to apply their primer before applying lime wash so that the lime wash cures properly to the wall. To apply the lime wash dip your brush in lime wash and apply a very thin layer to the surface in a ‘V’ motion. The ‘V’ motion creates a cloudy texture. It’s important to apply the lime wash to one full wall at a time to prevent any harsh lines!

In my opinion, lime wash provides a similar look to roman clay. However, I found the lime wash was a LOT easier to apply than roman clay. Overall, it was much faster to apply from start to finish. Clean-up is super easy because it’s a mineral the brush clean-up is super fast and doesn’t dry out as paint would. 

you can watch videos on how I apply lime wash here

Q: What exactly is a lime wash?

Portola’s Lime Wash is a traditional lime-based wall finish. This paint dries to create a beautiful weathered patina. The finish has subtle movement and natural color variation that softens and streaks with age.

Q: Does lime wash work on textured walls?

Yes! You can apply lime wash on smooth or textured walls. Limewash doesn’t fill bumps and grooves in the walls though. If you want a completely smooth surface before applying, I’d recommend painting a skim coat to the wall before adding your primer. 

Q: Can you order lime wash online?

Yes! I ordered my lime wash online from Portola paints and this brush from amazon. you can order a brush from portola as well, just include it in your email when you go to order the limewash!

Q: What tools do you need? 

To apply lime wash, you need a lime wash primer, lime wash, sealer, lime wash brush, regular paint tray, and tray liner. 

Q: Would YOU recommend this for a living room?

Absolutely! I love the look of it. It has a very organic and soft texture that could work in any room in the home. 

Q: What is the cost of lime wash?

• sample swatches – determined by how many you order, $10 each

• Limeproof Undercoat 1 gal – $62.00

• Custom Lime wash 1 gal – $76.00 (i got custom because i tinted mine 50% lighter)

• Matte Wall Sealer 1 gal – $62.00

• shipping – $78.51 (noting this because it is kind of pricey and something you should factor in, this depends on location too!)

• limewash brush – $59.90

Q: Does limewash hide imperfections?

It is applied in thin layers so it will not hide imperfections. Its organic nature makes imperfections less of an eyesore, in my opinion! 

Q: Can lime wash be painted over?

Since lime wash is super thin, it doesn’t create an uneven surface so I believe you could paint over it. I recommend researching from a few different sources before painting over it just in case!

Q: How many layers do you need to add?

In total, you will do 5 layers — 1 layer of primer, 2 layers of lime wash, and 2 layers of sealer. 

Q: Are there lots of options with colors?

So far, I’ve only used Portola, but they have a variety of color options! Limewash is made from natural materials and all the colors are earth tones. Dark or bright colors are not options because the lime in the paint is white, which will always mute the colors slightly.

Q: Does it stain easily?

I haven’t run into this issue yet, but if you are worried about stains, I recommend sealing the paint. This helps make cleaning up easier!

Q: Can you use lime wash in high-moisture areas?

Yes! If you do lime wash in a bathroom, as we did, you will have to apply the sealer. Once you apply the sealer, you are all set! Due to its high PH, Lime Wash also acts as a mild fungicide and is eco-friendly — containing zero VOCs.

Q: Does lime wash look good with no natural light?

I LOVE the look of lime wash at night with just our overhead lights on. It’s so beautiful. I think you would still like it without natural light!

I’m so happy with how the lime wash turned out — it blends perfectly with the hallway, and the softness works so well here. The lime wash has dried with a soft cloud-like texture that I absolutely love. If you’ve been considering adding a lime wash to the walls in your home, I would highly recommend it. Do you have any more questions? The Portola lime wash FAQ here answers many questions, or let me know your question in the comments.