Whether you are a homeowner or property manager, you’ll be able to maintain sparkling walls by following these wall cleaning tips.
Know What You’re Up Against
Dust and grime accumulate on walls over time. Household members tend to leave their mark – smudges, smears, and fingerprints are a favorite of small children and pets. If you don’t clean the walls regularly, the once beautiful paint job could end up with permanent stains, fading or discoloration.
Cleaning your walls can be a daunting task, which is why many folks hire commercial cleaning services when it’s time to give the home a facelift.
Our wall cleaning tips are chores that you can do at home. The best time to do this is during spring or fall when you can leave a window or door open to accelerate the drying process.
Before you start cleaning, determine what kind of surface your wall has. Semi-gloss and enamel paints are washable. Flat, stain or eggshell finishes are vulnerable to scratches if you scrub too hard or apply an abrasive cleaner.
What You Need for Cleaning Walls
- Dust cloth
- Sponge
- Vacuum with broom attachment or foam craft brush
- Bucket with warm soapy water
- Bucket with clean water
- Towel
- Drop cloth
- Step stool or mini ladder
Wall Cleaning Tips before Getting Your Hands Dirty
- Crack a few windows open to improve air circulation across the room. This will make breathing easier and help dry the walls faster.
- Cover any carpet or furniture with newspaper, towels, old linen, or painter sheeting. Protect your valuables from possible spills of water or cleaning solution.
- Remove everything that hangs on the wall.
- Push dressers, appliances, and furniture to the center of the room so you can reach dirt behind them. This also clears more space for you as you work on the walls.
- Cover the floor and baseboards with drop cloth. In case excess water or soap drip off the walls, an old towel can catch all the moisture. Stay away from plastic tarps as they do not absorb water and can become slippery.
Dust the Walls and Baseboards
Whether your walls are unpainted, painted or papered, it is imperative to dust them before washing. Applying moisture on a dusty wall will only create mud.
- Run the broom or duster up and down the walls in a vertical motion.
- Attach the brush head to the vacuum cleaner and clear the cobwebs from walls and woodwork.
- Cover a broom with a towel and wipe the walls from the top down.
- Step on a ladder to reach high corners.
- If the broom or brush has hard bristles, cover it with an old shirt or rag to prevent scratches on the wall.
- Rinse or replace the fabric when it gets dirty to prevent spreading dirt.
Remove Marks and Stains
Start removing stains and smudges with water. If that doesn’t work, try a mild liquid cleaner. Test your cleaning solution first on an inconspicuous area of the wall before applying it to the stain. Some cleaners are too strong and cause damage to paintwork.
Wash the Walls
When washing the walls, start at the top and work your way down. You will need two buckets: one for cleaning and one for rinsing.
For most painted walls, a solution of warm water and soap will work just fine. You can also try to combine the following with warm water:
- Distilled white vinegar
- Liquid dishwashing soap
- Baking soda
- Ammonia + vinegar + borax
After wiping the wall with the mixture, wait for five minutes and then rinse. Change the water when it starts to look murky.
Wash the walls in sections. Once you have finished cleaning and rinsing one area, dry the wall with a cloth or towel. Be sure to remove moisture thoroughly to prevent streaking and water damage. Drying as you go stops those hideous water marks.
- Wring out sponges so they are damp and not wet.
- Avoid cleaning products that contain alcohol.
- Avoid colored soaps or dyed sponges as these might stain your walls.
Wall Cleaning Tips for Wallpaper
- Always dust the wall first.
- Clean wallpaper with warm, soapy water. You can also try a combination of warm water plus ammonia.
- For vinyl-coated wallpaper, soak a piece of cloth in water vinegar and dab the walls. Do not apply vinegar directly on the wallpaper.
- Dampen cloth with warm water and gently rinse off the cleaning solution. Dab dry with a soft towel.
- For non-coated wallpaper, lift dirt with a dry sponge.
- Remove smudges and fingerprints with a gum eraser.
- Be sure to check instructions from the wallpaper manufacturer on appropriate cleaning methods.
Wall Cleaning Tips for Wood
- Dust the walls with a broom or vacuum brush.
- Wash down wooden walls with warm water and soap.
- To remove stains, dip a cloth into a mixture of vinegar and warm water and scrub away.
- Rinse the walls with clear water and dry them well with a clean towel.
Wall Cleaning Tips for Removing Kitchen Grease
Kitchen walls are one of the dirtiest parts of a home. An occupational hazard of cooking, grease traps all kinds of gunk on walls and cabinets. You can remove grime with a solution of warm water and dishwashing soap. For stubborn grease stains, combine warm water with white vinegar. If needed, apply a commercial degreaser to kitchen wall spatters. Rinse with clean water and blot until dry.
Wall Cleaning Tips for Removing Crayon Doodles
- Scrub stains with an art gum or pencil eraser.
- Rub marks with non-gel toothpaste.
- Apply solvent cleaner such as WD-40.
- Swipe marks with baby wipes.
- Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub stains.
Wall Cleaning Tips for Removing Mildew
To remove mildew growth, spray the area with a solution of water and white vinegar. You can also try an enzyme laundry detergent. Rinse thoroughly with water.
Are your walls in need of a makeover? Hire a professional cleaner to save a lot of time and effort. Prestige Property Services can help get the job done on time at an affordable rate.
