When Aunt PollytasksTom Sawyer with whitewashing the fence inMark Twain’sThe Adventures of Tom Sawyer , she ’s not just seek to slick up up the property with a little redecoration dodging .
As Simplemostexplains , hush up a surface is n’t exactly the same as just paint it bloodless — though it does discolorise that turn up bright bloodless . Whitewash is a slaked lime - based liquid that prevents mildew , fight down odors , repels worm , and even works as a mild antibacterial meaning . It ’s also inexpensive , quick - drying , and easy to put on — puddle it a perfect chore to delegate to your young , wicked nephew . Because of all these factors , whitewashing farmhouse and fence became a popular movement among colonial homeowner , especially those who be in humid climate .
harmonize to theDaily Press , all it consider to create your own whitewash was water and lime ( a blank powdery chemical compound also known ascalcium oxide ) . When mix , the mixture would babble up and pass off steam before square up into a white , paint - like centre . Rural families often had sacks of lime on deal , since it was also used as a disinfectant , an component in farm animal provender , and a way to temper soil sour .
Despite its many vantage , whitewash had one drawback : It was n’t especially long - lasting . As time went on , wealthier the great unwashed transitioned to using regular white rouge , which did n’t require frequent touching - ups and finally arrive to serve as a status symbol .
It may have been extra unwashed for farm owner to take advantage of the brassy , efficient method acting of painting their property , but they were n’t the only single . TheWhite Housewas originally whitewashed , too , which inspired its now - official nickname .
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