The Amazing World of Lime Course

All you need to know about using lime: How to mix and apply it as a render, mortar, limecrete and paint.

"This course is worth every penny. It totally cleared everything up for me and gave me the confidence to get started with lime." Kirsty Henderson, author of Portugal from Scratch.

Lime is one of the most underused, useful and beautiful building materials out there. It's amazing stuff, and does nearly everything Portland cement does but better. Lime allows structures to breathe in a way Portland cement never can, significantly reducing the opportunities for mildew or damp in your building. It's softer and more malleable, and cures more slowly giving you time to work it beautifully before it sets. This softness is important in mortar work - especially in old buildings. Portland cement is too hard and non-porous, so it ultimately begins to 'eat away' at the stones. It's been banned by the English Heritage society for this very reason. Lime has fungicidal and insecticidal properties, and is in many places very inexpensive. Unless you're building a multistory car park or swimming pool, lime is a superb option.

Still doubting? Scroll down to the curriculum and watch the video tour of my lime-filled kitchen.

The 17th century Garrison House, Wivenhoe. Still in great shape because it's been properly maintained with lime wash.

So What Can You Actually Do With Lime?

Lime is extremely versatile. There's a lot you can create. You can use it as render:


Or as a mortar:


Or as a 'crete:

Limecrete window sill by Sophie Hunter

You can make lime paint:


You can grout flagstones or tiles with it:


Or make floors:

What Course Participants Say:

  • "Thank you for your inspiring course!" Shannon in Mexico
  • "The best and most straightforward information I have found yet." Rachel, Texas.
  • "I started watching Atulya’s course yesterday and am very impressed by her knowledge and skills." Christine Baker, High Desert Permaculture.
  • "I loved your lime course. Will watch it again and again." Audrey Kulas.

Environmental Benefits

Lime generates roughly 25% of the carbon that Portland cement does in production,and then slowly reabsorbs that carbon as it cures. Limestone (what lime is made of) is also extremely abundant on Earth. Seeing as Portland cement is currently the second largest emitter of CO2 into the atmosphere after fossil fuels, we could do with using a lot more lime and a lot less Portland.

If you want to learn how to use lime in a host of different ways, the All About Lime Course will show you the way.

What Will This Course Teach You?

  • Which kind of lime you should use for which job, and in which climate
  • How to slake quicklime
  • How to mix and apply lime render
  • How to test your lime mixtures
  • How to apply lime mortar and some tricks for a clean finish
  • How to deal with mortar guns when using lime
  • How to mix limecrete
  • How to make a limecrete floor
  • How to create lime paint or lime wash with and without colours

I update all my courses with extra sections in response to student questions. Once you've enrolled in the course you have access to all future updates. Please note:If you want to be notified of updates, you need to tick the "I want emails" box.

When Might Lime Not Be Suitable?

1. Applications where the lime spends a lot of time submerged in, or being hit by water: Shower floors, water tanks, swimming pools etc may struggle. I have seen lime work for a shower floor with tiles and grout, and a water tank, but it's a bit hit and miss.

2. Lime renders, mortars and cretes are always softer and more porous than Portland cement, so any application where you definitely need a rock solid, tough as nails, completely impermeable surface, lime may not be suitable for.

Who is The Amazing World of Lime course for?

  • Owner builders: This course is for you. It's simple, clear and practical.
  • People who want to use lime but are not sure about how, or which one to use: This course will clarify which kind of lime to use where, and how. Simply. Without jargon. In a way that people without chemistry degrees can understand (relief right?)
  • People renovating old houses: Yes this course is what you need. Videos on re-pointing, digging out old mortar and more are included in the course.
  • People who've never used lime before and want to get started: This course takes it step by step, so it's perfect for lime novices.

Who is The Amazing World of Lime course NOT for?

  • Professionals already working with lime. This is an entry level course .
  • If you are looking for in-depth instructions for the traditional Indian lime techniques of Thappi and Araish, this course won't meet your needs.
  • This course doesn't have a section on tadelakt.
  • People looking for instructions on hemplime, sorry it's not included.

"This lime course is fantastic! Incredibly informative and super helpful. I feel much more confident now and am able to apply what I've learned to various projects. Highly recommend!" Erin Kirchner, CA. USA.


Your Instructor


Atulya K Bingham
Atulya K Bingham

Hi! I'm Atulya. I've been living off-grid and building with mud for nearly ten years now. My love of natural building arose from nowhere. Back in 2011 I was living in a field in Turkey. Bit by bit, out of necessity I taught myself to build with mud. It became a creative passion. Within a year I had constructed a house. A year later I installed solar power. I have been in nature, mud building and writing about it ever since.

Today I am founder and author of The Mud Home natural building and off-grid freedom website. I also write about natural building for publications such as Mother Earth News and the Owner Builder Magazine.


Course Curriculum



Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own. You will also have access to all the updates I make to it as time goes by.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
I like happy people. The point of the course is to empower you to use lime. So if you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days contact me at [email protected] and I will give you a full refund.
Can I download the material?
Yes absolutely! You can download everything in it, including the videos. This course is designed in both slideshow and PDF format especially for folk with limited internet access.
Where can I get support?
If you're having trouble with the course, write to [email protected] . Although I usually respond within a day, because I'm off-grid and time zones vary, it may take up to 48 hours. Please check your spam folder if you can't see my email, I always reply! Please add ALL ABOUT LIME STUDENT in your title for a faster response.


Get started now!