Cleaning painted walls can be a challenging endeavor, and using the wrong techniques or cleaners could damage their finish. Therefore, regular wall maintenance should be carried out in order to avoid stain build-up on your surfaces and further staining of its finish.
Start with a light washing using warm water with mild soap or dish soap, but if that fails try using white vinegar or degreasing chemicals instead.
Use a Soft Sponge
Everyday cleaning involves mopping floors and vacuuming rugs; yet painted walls often go neglected, leading to unsightly stains and marks that detract from the look of your home. From crayon marks left by children or shoe scuffs left from shoes, there are simple solutions that can restore walls’ freshness – from dusting them off with warm water, using non-abrasive sponges for gentle rubbing of stubborn spots or baking soda solutions (made by mixing dry baking soda and water together) or rubbing alcohol if nothing works – otherwise professional cleaners should be brought in if the mark still cannot be removed by yourself –
Eggshell, semi-gloss and high-gloss paints can usually be cleaned using a solution of mild detergent diluted in warm water. Always test a new cleaning product on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it will not damage the paint job.
Matte-finish paint requires extra care when cleaning, and you may only be able to use gentle household products on it. Plant-based cleaners such as sugar soap are generally safe for most painted surfaces or you could purchase an all-purpose wipe designed specifically to clean painted walls.
Make a cleaning solution using water and mild detergent in a bucket, using kitchen gloves to protect the paint job. Wring out a soft sponge thoroughly, applying the solution in thin coats onto walls using your soft wringer sponge. Leave for five to 10 minutes before rinsing off using another bucket of clean water; always remembering to blot dry to avoid water spots or streaking!
Warm Water
Clean your walls on an ongoing basis or try to eliminate stubborn stains with warm water and a soft sponge or microfiber cloth, starting from the bottom up as this helps avoid streaking. Gently scrub away dirt and grime that has built up over time on painted walls by gently rubbing with them and working your way upwards until all dirt has been removed from them. This should help avoid streaking issues in the future.
Make sure that any natural degreaser contains no harsh chemicals or alcohol which could potentially damage latex paint and leave streak marks behind, and follow all product instructions closely for use.
Alternatively, for exceptionally dirty walls you can mix in some dish soap to your warm water solution – but remember only use small amounts as too much may lead to bubbling and streaks!
Before cleaning walls, dip a sponge or cloth into cleaning solution and wring it out completely before using it on walls. As it’s important not to keep painting surfaces wet for too long, make sure a second bucket of plain water is available for rinsing after each use.
Once finished, use a clean, soft lint-free cloth or sponge to blot dry the walls. A few drops of laundry borax added to your cleaning solution may help with particularly stubborn grease or cooking oil stains; its gentle granules act as an effective scrubber without harming painted walls; this method works particularly well on walls with satin, flat or eggshell latex finishes that tend to stain more readily than glossier paints.
Dish Soap
Stains on painted walls are inevitable, but using the appropriate cleaning supplies will help your walls remain beautiful. Stay away from harsh chemicals which could damage or streak paint finishes; natural remedies like vinegar and baking soda may also do irreparable harm to some finishes. When selecting a cleaner, first review its label for warnings before testing in an inconspicuous area first.
Cleaning walls effectively depends on both the type and finish of paint used; gloss- and semi-gloss paints tend to fare well when it comes to washing; flat and satin may fade over time. No matter which finish your walls have, it is advisable to regularly vacuum and sweep before commencing with any deep clean. This helps keep dust, dirt, cobwebs, etc. off your surfaces.
For scuff marks, a mixture of 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar can work wonders. Be sure to provide plenty of water for rinsing purposes, wear kitchen gloves as protection, dip your sponge or cloth into the cleaning solution, wring it thoroughly before starting from the top of the wall down and lightly scrubbing until finishing by rinsing off completely with fresh water to avoid water spots.
If you have an especially stubborn or large stain, laundry borax is an amazingly effective household cleaner. While oil-based paints may benefit from it more, this latex-friendly option should still be safe to use as long as too much is added. Please ensure to spot-test your solution first in a concealed area, before applying it directly on walls; once finished make sure you wash off all cleaning tools and rags to ensure maximum effectiveness!
Vinegar
White vinegar solutions can be an excellent way to clean stubborn stains on walls that won’t come off with water and soap alone, especially on those covered in grimy or oil-based paint. Just combine one cup of white vinegar with one quart of warm water in a bucket before dipping a soft sponge in it to wring out before beginning scrubbng – start at the top and work your way down, moistening as necessary.
Be careful when using vinegar on walls that have already been painted as too much can damage or dull them. A great tip would be to apply some on a cloth first and test an inconspicuous spot of your wall as this will ensure no discolouration or other problems arise. Or alternatively, purchase an all-purpose non-abrasive cleaner from your local store that can clean without harming or defacing your walls.
If the stains on your painted walls are particularly persistent, try mixing baking soda and water together as this should remove most marks, although not as effectively for deeply embedded spots. If this method doesn’t work either, you could try rubbing them off using cotton balls soaked in rubbing alcohol – although be warned this might damage the paint, so use only as an emergency measure!
To maintain beautiful walls, it’s a wise idea to incorporate regular wall cleaning into your routine. Make a note to clean spills and scuffs as soon as they happen, and wash the walls using warm water, gentle dish detergent, and soft sponge at least once every week. Dust or wipe monthly before more thoroughly deep cleaning them or prepping for painting projects.
Ammonia
Though painted walls are an essential component of your home, maintaining them can be challenging. Spills, scuffs and stains can leave marks that make the walls look dirty or neglected. Luckily, there are various cleaning solutions available that will restore their condition without stripping the paint or leaving streaky finishes; and having a regular cleaning routine will also help avoid accumulations of dirt and grime on them.
Before beginning cleaning, always dust your walls first to ensure the liquid cleaner won’t wet down any dirt and leave unsightly marks behind. Additionally, any new cleaner should always be tested first on a small portion of wall before applying it across your entire kitchen – this way you’ll know how your wall responds before going all-in on it.
If your walls remain unscuffed after cleaning them with warm water and mild dish detergent, ounces of borax might help get those stubborn spots off your walls that seem impossible to wash away. Borax will work harder at dissolving tougher stains than ordinary soap may, making for easier removal from painted surfaces.
Degreasers may also help remove stubborn stains or grease build-up on walls, but use must take place in a well-ventilated area with great ventilation, while taking extra caution not to let any spillages get on to floors or baseboards.
When cleaning walls that have become dirty with grease and dirt, try using the Magic Eraser sponge. This melamine sponge will quickly and effectively remove scuff marks or any other wall stain without scratching your walls – however it should be handled carefully to avoid scratching!