Without noise and dust, or how to quickly and easily remove whitewash from the ceiling

Serious renovation work in a room very often implies the need to remove old whitewash from the ceiling. Removing a layer of chalk or lime is a rather labor-intensive process.

To avoid large amounts of dust and dirt, you can use either a special remover or homemade methods available.

We will tell you more about how to remove whitewash from the ceiling in this article.

Preparatory work

Regardless of which method of whitewash removal is chosen, the room must be prepared.

At this stage, you should remove as many furnishings as possible, especially it is important to remove furniture with fabric upholstery and carpets. If some furniture cannot be removed, it must be securely covered with polyethylene, securing the covers with tape.

To reach the ceiling, you will need a stepladder, and for the work you will need tools, the choice of which is determined by the volume of work and the method chosen to remove the old whitewash.

It is advisable to isolate the room in which the renovation will be carried out as much as possible from other rooms. You will also have to put a wet rag on the threshold.

How to remove using improvised means?

Using available tools, you can carry out all the necessary work efficiently. Not only mechanical action will be used, but also solutions.

Dry method

Mechanical removal of whitewash is one of the simplest methods, which does not require any experience in carrying out such work or special knowledge.This method is convenient for processing a small area in a short time.

To work you will need the following tools:

• putty knife;
• small hammer;
• sandpaper.

After this, take a spatula. They use it to pry off the whitewash layer and clean it off. The remaining small fragments are finished with sandpaper. If you have a sanding machine, you can do without sandpaper, a hammer and a spatula.

Wet method

Do experts recommend for rooms with an area of ​​10 m? use the cleaning method with the addition of liquid. With this approach, much less dust will be generated, and the work itself will progress faster.

You will need the following tools:

• metal spatula;
• bucket;
• large brush or roller.

Instead of a bucket of water and a brush, you can use a spray bottle to moisten the whitewash layer on the ceiling.

Processing process:

1. Moisten a section of the ceiling (up to 2 meters in diameter) with a spray bottle or brush.
2. Repeat the process on another area of ​​similar size.
3. Return to the first moistened area and use a spatula to clean the ceiling fragment.
4. Repeat the steps until the entire ceiling is cleared of whitewash.

The video will show you how to remove whitewash from the ceiling:

Homemade solutions

Depending on what the ceiling was whitewashed with, select your own solution:

• for the chalk layer - soap solution;
• for the lime layer - acid.

Vinegar and gel

Preparation of the product:

1. Pour 1 teaspoon of vinegar into a small container.
2. Add ? a glass of shower gel.
3. Pour 5 liters of warm water into a bucket.
4. Add the gel-vinegar mixture to the water.
5. Mix.

Soap

Preparation:

1. Grate 50 grams of laundry soap.
2. Combine the shavings with 30 grams of soda.
3. Add baking soda and soap to a bucket of water.
4. Stir.

Paste

Using a paste allows you to efficiently clean the ceiling from whitewash. The disadvantage of this method is the need to prepare the composition at home.

For the solution you need to prepare:

• a large metal boiler or other metal container that can be placed on the fire;
• a spatula that can be used to stir the preparing paste;
• starch (at the rate of 40 grams of powder for every liter of water).

If starch is not available, it can be replaced with wheat flour at the rate of 70 grams per 1 liter of water.

Preparation procedure:

1. Pour the required amount of water into the container.
2. Place the pan on the fire.
3. Boil.
4. Gradually add a measured amount of starch or flour, stirring continuously.
5. Bring the mixture to thicken, removing any lumps.
6. Cool.

The finished paste, after it has completely cooled, is applied to the whitewash with a large brush. Drying on the surface of the ceiling, the paste forms a crust. An alternative option is to purchase a ready-made paste mixture at a hardware store.

Special wash

In addition to available means, special preparations can be used to remove whitewash from the ceiling. Construction mortars allow you to remove both lime and chalk.

When choosing a specific preparation, it is necessary to take into account the means with which the ceiling was whitewashed. The washes are intended for cleaning after repairs.They quickly and efficiently remove whitewash using a method similar to the wet method.

ALFA-20

Alpha professional remover is available in containers convenient for carrying out even significant repair work. In addition to lime, the product allows you to wash away the remains of concrete cement splashes, rust, and dirt from various types of surfaces.

The product is diluted according to the instructions, using only in diluted form.. Since the drug is chemical and has an aggressive effect, the use of personal protective equipment is mandatory. Price for 5 liters - from 600 rubles.

PROBEL

An effective preparation in concentrated form is suitable for removing whitewash from ceilings and walls. The product is an effective remover, acting as a solvent. PROBEL is diluted according to the instructions, has no pronounced odor, and does not foam. Price for 5 liters – from 600 rubles.

12 recommendations

Advice from experts will help in carrying out repair work and will help you avoid unpleasant situations:

1. It is advisable to use methods for removing whitewash, especially dry ones, with personal protective equipment - gloves, a respirator, a polyethylene cap.
2. It is not necessary to buy special washes in canisters. If the ceiling area is small, then you can purchase a small capacity container.
3. If it is not known what means the whitewashing was carried out - lime or chalk, this can be determined by a fairly simple method. Clean water is sprayed onto the ceiling from a spray bottle. If it is absorbed quickly, then chalk was used for whitewashing. Otherwise - lime.
4. For wet processing methods, it is convenient to use containers with a spray bottle up to 1 liter in volume, since a large and heavy bottle will be more difficult to hold in your hand.
5. Ideal whitewash removal is not necessary in all cases. If you plan to hang wallpaper or apply water-based paint, you can get by with high-quality stripping.
6. If after finishing the work there are still whitish solutions on the rag, the surface must be further treated using a damp sponge or wet rag.
7. If there is mold on the ceiling, it must be removed with special targeted solutions. And only after obtaining a satisfactory result can you begin to apply a new coating.
8. When using a dry or wet method using a spatula, you can purchase a special box at a hardware store that fits onto the tool. This will prevent dust and removed coating from flying away during work.
9. If the processing area is very large, then it is better to purchase or rent a grinding machine, which will significantly save time and reduce labor costs.
10. Applying a new layer of whitewash over the old one is an acceptable solution, but only in cases where the thickness of the existing coating is small.
11. Clothes for repair work should be made of thick fabric, have long sleeves and trouser legs.
12. The choice of a bench or stepladder should take into account the height of the ceilings and the height of the worker, who must freely reach the ceiling without bending or reaching for it.

Conclusion

You can remove whitewash from the ceiling yourself using simple home remedies. Special washes, selected taking into account the type of whitewash, speed up the processing process.