Cleaning walls can be a complicated procedure. The components you choose will depend on the durability and resistance of the wall treatment.
Your floors and carpets are regularly mopped and vacuumed, but when was the last time you cleaned the walls in your home? Due to the amount of time we spend daily leaning against and touching our walls, keeping the walls clean is just as essential as keeping other surfaces of our home clean.
Also, with time, painted walls can accumulate stains, scratches, shoe scuffs, and dust, giving the surface a dull, filthy look. Wash the walls regularly to keep them looking like new. Scrubbing walls with various types of paint and finishes require particular attention. So, without further ado, let us get started.
How to Clean Painted Walls
When it comes to cleaning painted walls, the first thing you should do is examine the Finish. Depending on whether the wall has a glossy or flat surface, the cleaning procedure will change. You can also use a wall cleaning mop to clean the walls regularly to avoid permanent stains.
Walls with Flat Paint
When it comes to cleaning, dull paint finishes, such as flat, satin, and eggshell finishes, are less durable than their long-lasting counterparts. When cleaning flat painted walls, avoid using strong chemicals or degreasers to refrain from damaging the paint. When cleaning with a sponge, avoid scrubbing too vigorously. Before applying the sponge to the walls, make sure that it is thoroughly squeezed out.
Walls With a High Gloss or Semi-gloss Finish
This kind of paint is most frequently seen in high-traffic areas like the kitchen and bathroom, which are very resistant to wear and tear. Using a mild degreaser on shiny surfaces such as kitchen backsplashes or bathroom vanity doors is safe. Although glossy and semi-gloss paints are resilient, they may still get scratches. Therefore, when washing walls, always use a soft sponge to stop scratching the surface.
Walls with Latex Paint
Warm water and a nonabrasive all-purpose cleanser are the most effective method of cleaning latex-painted walls. First, clean a sponge by dipping it into the water and wringing it out. Gently rub the wall.
Pay more attention to places often touched, such as around the doorknobs and light switches. Next, clean the walls using another sponge and clean water. Do not wet the surface around electrical connections such as outlets, light switches, telephone jacks, and other such devices. If it is essential to clean those areas, switch off the power at the circuit breaker box.
Make a baking soda paste with water and rub it into the affected area with a nonabrasive pad to remove persistent stains such as fingerprints, newspaper smudges, or scuff marks. Remove any remaining dirt or stain from painted woodwork using a cloth soaked with rubbing alcohol if cleaning does not eradicate the grime or stain.
Walls with Oil-Based Paint
When washing walls coated with oil-based paint, use a detergent solution instead of the cleaner or white vinegar combination to prevent the paint from becoming tacky. Only gently soak the sponge or towel after squeezing it out. Dust may collect on painted textured walls, including those with a troweled finish, and may need more extensive cleaning. To clean the wall, use 1 ounce of borax with a pint of water and stir well.
Cleaning Stains from Painted Walls
You will want to act quickly when removing wall stains. The sooner you can get the stain out of your walls, the greater your chances of totally erasing them. Fortunately, you might already have the finest solution for cleaning walls in your pantry. Make a paste by mixing a few teaspoons of baking soda with warm water until it forms a paste. Apply the formula into the wall stain in a gentle manner. Clean off any leftover residue with a clean, moist towel. The mild abrasive is particularly effective on grease stains on walls.
Cleaning Ink Stains from Walls
Ink Stains can be very troublesome to clean. But there are some methods to remove them.
Water-Based Inks
Not all pen inks are permanent. If it is water-based, blot it with a wet paper towel. The ink should bleed onto the towel. Then, dab the stain with a fresh cloth until it vanishes. A skin wipe, like a baby wipe, may also be used.
Permanent Inks
Regular (non-erasable) pen ink takes more effort to remove from the walls. First, use a foam cleaning pad to remove stains. If it does not work, make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the stain and gently wipe with a clean cloth. Avoid touching the stain to stop it from spreading. If everything else fails, dab the stain with rubbing alcohol.
Crayon
Colored crayons leave a wax-like residue on the walls. The markings can be removed using a foam cleaning pad. If you do not have one, use a regular eraser. For stubborn stains, remove wipe the crayon mark with a wet cloth soaked in mild detergent. Dry the spot with a towel. A wet cloth wiped over the crayon also helps. Try rubbing some mayonnaise over the crayon mark and wipe it away with a wet towel.
How to Make an All-Purpose Cleaning Solution
Some wall-stains are more difficult to remove than others. You may need more than water to fix the problem. This all-purpose homemade solution can be used on oil-based painted walls as well as other surfaces. Make necessary adjustments to the formula based on the size of your wall or stain.
- 1 teaspoon liquid dish detergent and 1 quart of warm water (stir it well).
- 1/4 teaspoon of white vinegar.
- To remove the stain, let the solution on the stain for approximately 10 minutes before blotting.
Use a clean, white lint-free cloth or a microfiber towel to avoid color transfer from the cloth to the walls.
Conclusion
Keep your walls clean and free of dust and smears to keep looking like new. Preventive maintenance means spending less effort later on cleaning walls.
Vacuum-painted walls with a soft brush to help keep them clean. Then use a cloth-covered brush or mop to clean them. Spray with a dusting solution first for optimum results, or use an electrostatic cleaning wipe to remove any remaining dust. Fingerprints and other markings, such as sticker residue, should be removed as early as possible. When washing painted walls, avoid using an excessive quantity of water to prevent drips.
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