Limewash Paint in Kitchens and Bathrooms, Where It Works

Short answer. Limewash paint can work on kitchen and bathroom walls away from direct splashes, because lime is breathable and its high alkalinity makes it a poor home for mould. It is not a waterproof finish, so it should not go inside a shower, behind a sink or behind a hob. For wet areas, a finish such as tadelakt or microcement is the better route.

Why lime suits steamy rooms

Lime is breathable. It can take in moisture from steamy air and let it out again as the room dries. This helps reduce the drips and peeling that can happen when a sealed paint traps damp behind it.

Fresh lime is also strongly alkaline. That is one reason limewash was used for centuries in dairies, larders and outbuildings, where people wanted clean, fresh walls. It is not a cure for poor ventilation, though. An extractor fan and an open window still matter.

Where it works and where it does not

In a bathroom, limewash paint is fine on walls outside the splash zone, such as the wall behind a towel rail or above a panelled bath. In a kitchen, it can go on walls away from the cooker and sink.

Avoid it in places that get wet often or get greasy.

• inside a shower or on a shower wall;
• directly behind a basin or sink;
• behind a hob, where grease and heat build up;
• on window sills that collect condensation.

For those areas, a tiled splashback works, or a waterproof lime finish such as tadelakt, or microcement. Our guide to waterproof plaster explains the options.

Choosing the product

Some limewash paints are lime based and breathable, while others use an acrylic binder and only copy the look. In a bathroom, a lime based product keeps the breathable benefit. An acrylic version may wipe clean more easily but loses some of that. Read the product sheet and check what it says about kitchens and bathrooms.

Colour is worth a thought too. Kitchens see splashes of food and hands on walls near doors, so a soft mid tone such as stone, putty or warm grey hides small marks better than a very pale white. In a bathroom, earthy shades sit well beside natural stone, timber and brushed metal fittings. A painted ceiling in a steamy room should be checked for flaking now and then, as condensation collects there first.

Looking after it

Lime finishes are not scrubbed like a washable emulsion. In a kitchen or bathroom.

• dust or brush the wall gently now and then;
• dab marks with a barely damp soft cloth rather than rubbing;
• keep a little of the same paint for touching up.

If an area gets marked, a fresh thin coat over that section usually blends in well, as lime finishes are uneven by nature.

To test a colour in your own kitchen or bathroom, order a sample board. You can call 07592 929191 or email sales@zavore.co.uk, or see our limewash installation page if you would like our team to do it.

Questions we get asked

Does limewash stop mould?

Fresh lime is strongly alkaline, which makes it a poor home for mould, but good ventilation is still needed in any steamy room.

Can limewash paint go on a bathroom ceiling?

Yes, if the room is ventilated and the ceiling is not dripping wet. Our guide to limewash ceilings covers working overhead.

Can I put limewash behind my kitchen sink?

It is better not to. Use tiles, tadelakt or microcement in splash areas and keep limewash for the walls around them.