Cleaning all the things

[cimorene]

We didn't want to pause in our regime of fixing things to clean, so we managed to do all the cleaning more or less yesterday so that we would be able to run some errands and do some more minor fixes today. We were cleaning till past midnight and my fingertips are all sore from the scrubbing. Wax's hands are beat up from brushing rugs with a root brush. Anubis got so excited by the mop moving on the floor that he had to be locked out of the kitchen until the floor was washed. I washed things that idk if we've ever remembered to wash before. Wax got so into vacuuming that she continued out the door to the porch and swept the cement in front of the stoop, which is unambiguously out of doors. "I didn't want there to be too many rocks," she said. (??)

I'm also anxious to paint more furniture now that I've started painting furniture with milk paint, because it's so much fun compared to the latex and acrylic I've used in the past.

Comments

[viggorlijah]

How do you prep for milk paint? I’ve been putting off repainting a bunch of furniture because the thought of sanding stripping prepping for hours and then waiting for drying is just - bleh.

[cimorene]

Unfinished wood is ideal. Old worn wooden furniture is fine without prep. If the old paint is loose, it can still come off and take the milk paint with it, so you want to knock it off. If it's glossy the paint won't adhere as well, so you want to lightly sand it to take the shine off, but this is a quick process. You can see the dusty streaks as you run the sandpaper over it and you just want to remove all larger sections of shininess. If you want full coverage and no show-through or streaks on a previous paint finish you need two coats probably (24h between), but as milk paint is a rustic/antique finish, a single coat that's imperfect might be closer to what you're looking for. Milk paint is completely matte, and if you want to make it more waterproof you should rub it with natural furniture wax or the same oils you use to protect wood such as butcher block afterwards (tung oil, for example); otherwise it can stain and show grease spots. Milk paint is also just acidic enough that it can irritate the skin badly if left on it for too long, so you have to wash it off pretty quickly if you get it on your skin. Neither of us has experienced any reactions from it, however.

[(Anonymous)]

Acidic enough that if I paint a small side table - unfinished polished wood so I will wash it and then lightly sand? - that once finished and oiled, would this be a hazardous piece of furniture for the toddler or cats? I mean obv. if they are gnawing on furniture like beavers, but once it’s dried is is ok for them to sit on or touch?

[viggorlijah]

Me but logged out - I am looking at milk paint colours and sighing with envy. I still think of your walls every time I see wallpaper and get the urge but I do not have the nerve beyond the basic stuff we put up for Maggie’s room. It’s such a commitment to colour and pattern!

[waxjism]

Any danger from the milk paint is mostly from the powder (contains lime). So just keep cats and kids away from the room when you're measuring or mixing it.

[cimorene]

https://www.realmilkpaint.com/help/resources/how-to-mix-your-own-paints/

This site seems to have pretty good info.

This is the paint powder we use: https://auro.de/en/products/walls-and-ceilings/lime-casein-paint/

I've been experimenting with coloring it with powdered pigments.

Modern wallpapers include ones that are pretty easy to take down, and even ones that are designed to remove easily for renters. If you have the right kind, it can go up easily and the surface can peel off easily as well, leaving a soft paper layer that's easy to wallpaper over again or to paint.

But there's always just painting the walls! That's quicker and colorful and easier to reverse.

[viggorlijah]

I don't know if you guys remember this from way way back when I tried making milk paint and it went rancid on the walls.... but I don't think I added hydrated lime, just chalk. Hmm. I can get hydrated lime here (we can't get borax or a bunch of chemicals without special permits here so a lot of diy projects are impossible) and pigments, and I guess if the paint goes rancid again, it was a curbside piece of furniture, so I can get rid of the nightstand. Thanks for the links!

[cimorene]

Yeah, it's fine after it's done!

[princessofgeeks]

You are amazing!

[cimorene]

😊💜

[devon]

You and Wax have worked so hard on the house! I'm glad that things are finally coming together. I'm so curious to see what colors you used; the milk paint sounds very neat. After you recover from the visit, would you consider posting a few pics? Thanks!

[cimorene]

Wax said she was gonna do the remodeling pic post, but she keeps not getting around to it, lol. But we also aren't finished yet of course. I may take over.