How to clean painted walls

Batmaid
July 22nd at 3:19pm

1. Determine the type of paint finish

There are three types of paint to consider:

  • Flat, eggshell or satin finishes: Avoid abrasive cleaners or scrubbing them too hard on these as they are likely to rub off.
  • Semi-gloss or glossy finishes: These can withstand degreasing cleaners, but beware that they are susceptible to scratches, so don’t scrub too hard.
  • Latex paint finishes: You can clean these with warm water mixed with a gentle cleaner.

green-red-orange

2. Dust the walls

After emptying the room so that you are not bothered by any lamps, furniture or clutter, dust the walls by wiping them with a cloth. Alternately, you can run your vacuum with the brush attachment over the surface to get rid of the dirt and dust.

3. Wash the walls

If your walls don’t have any damage or stains on them, washing them with warm water will suffice.

If you notice some marks or stains, using gloves, turn to soapy water and a soft cleaning cloth or sponge.

blue-gloves

  • Fill a bucket with water mixed with a bit of mild detergent.
  • In a second bucket filled with just water, wring out the cloth. Subsequently use this bucket for rinsing.
  • First, spot-test the mixture on a small, less visible part of the wall to be sure that it doesn’t mark or discolor the finish. If there is no visible damage, proceed to the next step.
  • Starting in an upper corner, apply the mixture in circular motions to wash the wall.

4. Dealing with stains or marks

Has your child been getting busy with crayons and stumbled upon a wall?

painted-hands

Fear not! Simply take care of the issue as fast as possible with the following steps.

  • Try to dab the stain with a damp cloth if it’s still fresh.
  • If it doesn’t come off, take a damp cloth and dab it in a bit of dry baking soda or into a solution of water and baking soda. Gently rub the mark.
  • If that still doesn’t work, use a tougher chemical cleaner, but make sure to spot-test it prior to applying to the entire surface. Once done, remove residue using a cloth or sponge.

5. Repaint problematic areas

If certain stains or marks don’t go away, paint over them. If possible, use paint from the same can that was originally used to paint the walls as well as the same type of brush and application. If you need to buy paint, make sure to get the same color and finish. Sparingly apply touch-up paint to the affected area then let dry.

white-room

You’re all set!