What exactly is whitewash and does anybody use it.

[JesiLynne]

OK I'm a HUGE Little house on teh Prairie FREAK, the books not neccesarily the TV show.
I think they are so great b/c it gives an account of actually LOTG

But what exactly is whitewash.
Is it paint, I know it si made with Lime adn water boiled together but Is there anything else and WTH is LIME????????????
I'm very confused???

Further more whatever it is...........is it safe????
I lime a chemical of some sort, I have no clue
Just curious!!!!

[AngelBee]

Me too! :

[RufusBeans]

does this help?

"Hydrated lime or lime putty can be blended with water to produce whitewash. Other possible additives in these mixes include molasses, alum, milk, salt, glue, white cement or pigments depending on the final properties desired.

Whitewash is an inexpensive coating that historically has been used to decorate, protect and sanitize a wide range of materials. Whitewash typically has a bright white color. Limefast pigments, however, can be added to whitewash to provide a broad range of colors. The principle ingredients in whitewash are hydrated lime and water. Hydrated lime absorbs carbon dioxide from the air to convert back to limestone. This reaction provides a protective layer over the whitewashed surface. Finally, the pH of hydrated lime helps to sanitize surfaces"

http://www.graymont-ut.com/applications_whitewash.shtml

here is one about using whitewash to discourage the growth of bacteria during goat kidding. It includes a recipe.
http://fiascofarm.com/recipes/whitewash.html

'lime' is calcium carbonate

[OceanMomma]

You put lime in exterior plasters on earth walls to protect them from the weather.

[weebitty2]

we used to put a bit of lime down the outhouse 1-2x a month in the summer to keep smells down.

[JesiLynne]

COOL
THANKS

[girlndocs]

http://fiascofarm.com/recipes/whitewash.html