How Baking Soda Can Change the Way You Paint—in Just 5 Minutes

Kara S.
by Kara S.
$4
5 Minutes
Easy
Chalk paint is super trendy (still!) because it quickly gives your surface an aged, matte look that is easily distressed. But, oh boy, can it get super pricey! I've got the perfect 3 ingredient hack for turning any house paint into chalk paint in 5 minutes.
First, you'll need baking soda. This recipe will make a little over 1 cup of paint. For a quart of paint, quadruple the amount, but remember that it dries out quickly.
 
Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1 cup of latex paint. Make sure to mix it well—you’ll need the consistency that my mixture had in the video. Lastly, add a few tbs of cold water.
 
Mix your ingredient until they create a thin, non-grainy texture. It takes a bit of time to dissolve all the baking soda, but, as you can see in the video, once it’s dissolved it will look just like the chalk paint you buy in stores.
 
This one cup of paint was more than enough to paint my end table and coffee table. I’m loving how genuinely chalky they look (and how little I spent)!


Frequently asked questions
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  • Kyla Kyla on Nov 16, 2020

    How long does it take to dry?

  • Linda Linda on Jun 25, 2021

    Can you clean this later by wiping with a damp cloth?

  • Peggy Mcdermott Peggy Mcdermott on Oct 04, 2022

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  • Far6872961 Far6872961 on Aug 14, 2022

    Yes, I am thinking about re-furbishing my bedroom furniture, and was looking for a less expensive option in place of chalk paint. Thanks a lot for sharing your recipe. i will definitely try it.



    • Jodi Murray Hendon Jodi Murray Hendon on Dec 04, 2022

      I'm going to keep this in mind for small projects, but I will say this about chalk paint. I bought a quart of Annie Sloan ($50) to paint an old buffet. Since you can add water to it, after 3 coats on the buffet, two little tables, and a corner shelf, I still have about a half can of the original quart.

  • Lin69525260 Lin69525260 on Aug 26, 2022

    Well I just mix the colors I want as I do craft, ì dint buy crafts paints , I use them to creat new colors with satin paint in pour amount needed in the br or kitchen sink, then open containers n wash sink, as firvpaint on his n clothes I always wonder how people wear black n nit a dot of paint on the body 🤔 lol yea cut haha , and some people have no patience n respond this so mean why ?🤨 I respect everyone never will I respond to make someone feel inadequate..I guess they think person on other site is weak .🙃underestimated stories of my life .just enjoy your projects ...or as one person said you cN purchase pour spout.hmmm nah

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