Q&A for How to Whitewash Cabinets

Use regular latex, water-soluble house paint and dilute it with water to the desired consistency. Then, apply it to the well-sanded and clean cabinet with a sponge or brush; wipe any excess away. Repeat until the desired results have been achieved.

You'll need to sand them down. A power sander will make the job much quicker.

You don't have to. It depends on what texture you want.

No, as dye colors the wood by soaking into it while stains sit on the surface. I have successfully used white varnish (Diamond by Minwax) to whiten a dyed maple cabinet, but that's a surface coloring, so it gives more of a painted/plastic look instead of the wood grain.