Wall Cleaning: How to Clean Walls perfectly
Written by: Areej Malik
Obviously! You want to keep your home looking beautiful, from scrubbing and mopping to hardwood floor care and carpet cleaning. But do you know the best way to clean walls? If wall washing isn’t on your cleaning checklist, you’re not alone.
Most of us don’t even know the right way to clean walls like we do horizontal surfaces like floors, counters, and furniture. But don’t worry! I am here to help you. Let’s learn Wall Cleaning.
PS: You can also read my article Paint Sheen: 7 Types Of Paint Finishes to learn more about paint finishes.
Prepare the Surface for Cleaning
To clean your interior walls thoroughly from top to bottom, get full access to them. It means that furniture and decorations on the walls shouldn’t get in the way of the surface. Firstly, take down picture frames and other decorations on the walls. Then, move furniture away from the walls so you can clean more efficiently. Now, gather the things you’ll need to clean walls:
- Drop cloth, Absorbent cloth, and dust cloth
- Ladder
- Broom or a vacuum cleaner
- Sponge
- Cleaning solution
- Bucket
Remove the Dirt from the Surface
Before washing the walls, you must first get rid of dust and dirt. When washing the walls, you need to be as thorough as possible so that you don’t spread dirt around. Clean the walls from top to bottom with a broom or vacuum. Use the right brush attachment for your vacuum to save the paint from getting scratched or damaged.
Don’t ignore corners because they tend to get dusty. Cobwebs grow in dusty corners. For a thorough clean, wipe the wall with a dust cloth after you’ve swept or vacuumed it to ensure it’s free of dust before you wet it (later on).
Read my article: The Best Painting Do’s And Don’ts
Prepare the Cleaning Solution
There are commercial products made to clean different types of wall finishes, but you can easily clean painted walls with a solution you make yourself. Dish soap or vinegar can be used as the main cleaning agent. Here’s how to make both:
1. Vinegar
Mix 4–5 tablespoons of white distilled vinegar into 1 gallon of water.
2. Dish soap
Mix 4–5 drops of liquid dish soap with half a bucket of water to make dish soap.
Spot-test your cleaning solution first
Choose cleaning ingredients that are safe and gentle, but you should always test a small area of your walls first. This is especially important for finishes that are flat or matte. If the cleaning solution is too harsh, it could leave streaks and stains that are light in color.
Spot Clean Stains
Wring the cloth out well so that it doesn’t drip, and then gently scrub the stain away in circles. Keep in mind that there are different products for different kinds of painted walls. If you have large or stubborn stains, you may want to buy one of these specially made stain removers.
Wash the Wall
Washing doesn’t mean splashing water around but merely wiping the wall with a damp sponge. Before starting this step, put down some drop cloths because there may be a few drips to clean up. Start by putting the sponge in the bucket and squeezing out all the extra water. Ensure the sponge is not dripping. Wipe the wall gently from top to bottom, one section at a time. Rinse off the sponge at intervals to avoid transferring dirt back onto the surface.
Work on Stubborn Stains
When cleaning painted walls, you can save time and work by washing the walls first and then focusing on stains. This gives your cleaning solution time to work on the stain and maybe remove it. If you wash your walls and there are still stains on them, you can make a safe stain remover.
Make a paste with baking soda and water for stubborn stains like crayons, shoe scuffs, and grease.
Gently rub the paste onto the stain using a non-abrasive pad or sponge and work in a circular motion.
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent typically safe for painted finishes for fruit drinks and red wine.
Put a small amount of hydrogen peroxide right on the stain with a clean, damp cloth.
Hold on for about five minutes and wipe the stained area with a damp cloth.
Soak Up Moisture
- Don’t leave extra moisture on your walls as they will take longer to dry up, but prolonged exposure to dampness can cause potential damage to paint finishes.
- Therefore, I suggest blotting the entire wall with a towel or absorbent cloth as a precautionary measure to soak up the moisture.
- Replace the damp cloth with a dry one.
- After completing this step, turn on the ceiling fans in the room and open up the windows to increase ventilation.
- Let the walls dry faster with the help of leaving the fans on overnight.
PS: For superior paint refinishing quality, count on your local experts at WC Painting Services. We can help renew, repaint or refinish your cabinets and other parts of your kitchen and home—both interior and exterior. To learn more, Call WC Painting Service at (508-657-4104) or schedule an online estimate today to choose the best colors for kitchen cabinets.
