how to clean walls with flat paint

Keep painted walls looking fresh with preventive maintenance and these simple cleaning methods.

You frequently mop your floors and vacuum your rugs, but when was the last time you cleaned the walls? Considering how much we lean against and touch them on a daily basis, keeping your walls clean is just as important as cleaning other household surfaces. Plus, over time, painted walls can accumulate stains, marks, and dust that give the surface a dull, dirty appearance. To preserve that freshly painted look, plan to wipe down your walls regularly. However, walls with different paint types and finishes require special care when scrubbing. Before you add this chore to your whole-house cleaning schedule, read our tips to learn how to clean walls without ruining the paint.

How to Clean Walls with Different Paint Finishes

The first thing you should consider when washing painted walls is the finish. (If needed, reference our handy guide to paint finishes.) Whether the finish is glossy or flat will determine how scrubbing will affect the look of the wall.

Flat, Satin, and Eggshell Finishes

Duller paint finishes are less durable when it comes to cleaning. Do not use harsh chemicals or degreasers when cleaning flat paint walls. When washing with a sponge, be sure not to scrub too hard. The sponge should be wrung out almost completely before putting it to the walls.

Glossy or Semigloss Finishes

Because these paints are highly durable, they're most commonly used in high-traffic areas like the kitchen and bathroom. It's OK to use a mild degreaser on glossy kitchen backsplashes or vanity doors. Although glossy and semigloss paint is durable, it will still scratch, so always use a soft sponge when cleaning walls.

How to Clean Walls with Latex Paint

The best way to wash walls painted with latex paint is to use warm water and a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner. Dip a clean sponge in the water, then wring it dry. Gently rub the wall. Pay special attention to areas that get touched often, such as around doorknobs and light switches. Rinse with a second sponge and clear water. Take care not to wet areas around outlets, light switches, telephone jacks, and other electrical connections. If scrubbing those spots is necessary, turn off electricity at the circuit breaker box.

For stubborn spots, such as fingerprints, newspaper smudges, or scuffs, make a paste of baking soda and water and rub the area with a nonabrasive pad. If cleaner (or white vinegar and water) doesn't remove the grime or stain on painted woodwork, wipe the woodwork with a rag dampened with rubbing alcohol.

How to Clean Walls with Oil-Based Paint

Wash walls painted with oil-based paint in the same manner, substituting a detergent solution (see recipe below) for the cleaner or white vinegar mixture. Wring the sponge or cloth until only slightly damp. Texture-painted walls, such as those with a troweled finish, can be dust catchers and might require deeper cleaning. Add 1 ounce of borax to each pint of water to clean the wall.

How to Make All-Purpose Wall Cleaner

To clean heavy-duty wall stains, you might need more than a little water to remedy the situation. This all-purpose detergent can be used for oil-based painted walls. Adjust the recipe as needed for the size of your wall or stain.

1. Stir 1 teaspoon of liquid dish detergent into a quart of warm water.
2. Add 1/4 teaspoon of white vinegar.
3. Let the solution sit on the stain for 10 minutes before blotting.

To prevent color from transferring from your towel to your walls, use a white lint-free rag or microfiber cloth.

How to Prevent Dirty Walls

Maintain a freshly painted look on your walls by keeping them free of dust and spots. Practicing preventive maintenance means less time spent scrubbing walls later.

To help keep walls clean, vacuum painted walls with a soft brush attachment. Then wipe them down with a cloth-covered broom or mop (spray with a dusting agent for best results), or use an electrostatic dusting wipe. Wipe away fingerprints and other marks soon after they appear. Avoid using an excessive amount of water when cleaning painted walls.

Cleaning painted walls may seem like a daunting task, but it's actually quite simple, albeit somewhat time-consuming.

The first thing to know is that whether you're doing yearly cleaning or hoping to say goodbye to a stain, the right approach depends on what type of paint you're dealing with. Semi-gloss and glossy enamel paints tend to stand up best to washing; flat, satin, and eggshell latex paints, on the other hand, may fade or rub off with abrasive cleaning. In other words, the only tricky part of cleaning walls is doing so without damaging the paint job.

REGULAR CLEANING

1. To preserve the quality of your paint job, start with the gentlest cleaning method possible—in this case, water on a cellulose sponge.
2. Step it up a notch, if necessary, with a mixture of warm water and mild detergent soap.
3. If you need even more firepower, create a solution containing 1 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda and one gallon of warm water. Add the solution to a spray bottle, spray the solution onto the wall, and lightly scrub with your sponge.

STAIN REMOVAL

You may want to lay towels, newspaper, or another absorbent material on the floor under your workspace to catch drips as you clean walls. Also, wear rubber gloves to avoid dirty water dripping down your arms. Note that wringing out sponges as you work goes a long way to help prevent the sort of drips that compromise the final result.

1. Run the dust brush attachment of your vacuum over the wall surface.
2. Create a paste of baking soda. To do so, mix a half cup of baking soda with about an ounce of water.
3. Test the solution on an unobtrusive part of the wall. If the paint still looks bright and there are no water marks left after drying, you're good to go. Otherwise proceed with caution: A sloppy attempt could make things look worse than before you started. If you know from the outset that you have flat or eggshell latex paint and the patch test doesn't go well, consider applying a fresh coat of paint or hiring professionals to clean walls for you.
4. If no water marks remain after your test application of the solution has dried, it's safe to proceed. Beginning at the top of wall and working your way down, use a sponge to apply the solution in a gentle. Again, scrub lightly, ideally in a circular motion, to minimize the risk of upsetting the paint.
5. As you work, use a second, water-dampened sponge to clear away dirt and grime where it clings to the cleaning paste.
6. Work in sections, and once you've completed a section, dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.

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Scuff marks age an otherwise perfect and chic paint job. Cleaning the area as soon as you notice the damage gives you the best results, reducing the chances that require paint touch-ups. Start with the gentlest stain removal method possible and slowly work your way up until the scuff mark disappears. Ideally, water or a melamine sponge does the trick without harming the paint itself, but your cleaning project may require methods that are more aggressive.

From Gentle to Abrasive

Wet a very soft cloth and wring it out thoroughly. Lightly buff the scuff mark with the dampened cloth, gradually applying more pressure as you work. Stay directly over the scuff mark, being careful not to scrub at the surrounding area. If the scuff mark disappears, wipe the wall with a soft, dry cloth. If it does not, move on to alternative cleaning methods.

Dampen a melamine cleaning sponge and wring it out. Scrub at the scuff mark, going in circles, up and down and left to right. If the scuff mark is still visible, move on to a more aggressive cleaning method.

Add a few drops of liquid dish detergent to a medium-size bowl and fill it with warm water. Wet a clean rag in the solution; wring it out before scrubbing the scuff mark. Do not over saturate the wall. If you begin making headway with the scuff mark, but need a bit more strength, place a drop of liquid dish detergent directly on the rag and scrub again.

Clean stubborn scuff marks with an all-purpose household cleaner. Spray the cleaner onto a rag and scrub the mark. If that does not work, spritz the wall directly and scrub again. As an alternative, make a paste with baking soda and water. Place a small amount of the paste on the end of a clean cloth and scrub the mark.

Rinse the cleaned area with a damp rag. Wipe the wall dry with a clean cloth.

Touching Up Scuff Marks

Feel the wall where the mark is with your hand. If it is indented or noticeably rougher than the wall surrounding it, lightly sand the area with fine-grit sandpaper. After two passes, feel it again. Repeat this process until the area is smooth. Do not try to remove the finish. Focus your efforts directly on the damaged area, avoiding the surrounding wall. Wipe away the dust with a damp cloth.

Mix a can of touch-up paint thoroughly and pour some into a small plastic dish. If you do not have touch-up paint, take a paint chip — at least the size of a quarter — from the wall to a paint specialist and have a custom match made. Do not attempt to match the color based on name alone.

Dilute the oil-based touch-up paint with a paint reducer according to manufacturer instructions. This slows down the drying time of the paint, helping the patch blend in seamlessly with the surrounding area. For latex paint, dilute with water instead of a paint reducer.

Dip the end of a paintbrush into the paint. Wipe the excess paint on a paper towel. Stipple the paint onto the wall staying directly over the damage until you achieve a thin, even coat. Let the paint dry completely.

Cleaning your home's walls should be part of your spring cleaning process, and this is especially true for kitchen walls. Walls attract fingerprint smudges and grime, while baseboards attract scuff marks. We'll show you how to clean painted walls to remove stubborn stains without using harsh chemicals.

There are many reasons that walls may become stained. Kitchen walls are a magnet for splattered food, a children's bedroom walls may have hidden crayon marks, hallway walls attract scuff marks, and entryway walls may have dirty handprints. Some paint finishes attract dirt more than others.

Home improvement often involves home renovations, floor waxing, and furniture arrangement, yet cleaning the walls is often overlooked. Occasional spot cleaning and yearly wall cleaning can brighten a room and bring life back to those painted walls.

• Clean Painted Walls the Easy Way
  • 1. How to Prevent Dirty Walls
  • 2. How to Prepare a Wall for Cleaning
  • 3. How to Clean Walls with a Flat Finish
  • 4. Cleaning Walls with Latex Paint
  • 5. How to Clean Walls with Oil-Based Paint
  • 6. Cleaning Painted Walls with an All-Purpose Cleaner
  • 7. How to Wash Painted Walls
  • 8. Removing Tough Stains from a Wall
  • 9. How to Clean Painted Kitchen Walls
  • 10. How to Clean Crayon Marks Off a Painted Wall
  • 11. Cleaning Walls without Removing Paint

Clean Painted Walls the Easy Way

Walls are generally painted using eggshell, semigloss, latex, or flat paint in a zillion different colors. Each type of paint has a characteristic that requires a particular kind of cleaning solution to maintain the integrity of the paint.

Once you have established the kind of paint that is on your wall, you can easily clean its surface using one of our cleaning recipes. For the best way to wash walls, find your type of paint and solution below and get started.

How to Prevent Dirty Walls

Regular maintenance of the walls prevents the accumulation of dirt. This can be completed in a few easy steps, and it will make your annual wall cleaning process easier and quicker.

Dirty Wall Prevention

Use the brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner to vacuum the walls to remove dust and cobwebs. Alternatively, you can use a long-handled duster for dusting the walls.

Use a damp sponge to wipe away fingerprints, scuff marks, or dirt as soon as you notice them. Take this opportunity to do any paint touch up to areas that have scratches or scuffs.

How to Prepare a Wall for Cleaning

Before you clean the walls for the first time, there are a few things you need to do to make the job easier. Take this opportunity to figure out what type of paint is on the wall so that you'll know which cleaning method to use.

Cleaning Wall Prep

Start by inspecting the wall paint. If the surface of the wall paint is flat and dull, then it is probably a flat or eggshell latex paint. Eggshell finishes are not very durable and can be damaged if you use the wrong type of cleaning method. If the paint surface has some shine to it, then it is most likely a semi-gloss or enamel paint and can withstand more abuse.

Before cleaning, make sure that the walls are dust and cobweb free. Use a duster or a vacuum brush attachment to clear any debris and cobwebs from the walls. Start at the top of the wall and work your way down. Finish up by laying towels or sheets along the baseboards and floor to absorb any water drips that may occur while cleaning.

How to Clean Walls with a Flat Finish

Eggshell and flat finishes are less durable and tend to stain easily. This type of paint finish also gets scratches often, so special care is needed when cleaning. The following will show you how to clean walls with flat paint.

Ask any painter what the secret to a beautiful interior paint job is and you will usually get an answer along the lines of prep work.

I typically tell my clients that the keys to a great paint job are prep work and that painting is 80% prep work and 20% painting.

This holds true for exterior painting, kitchen cabinet painting, and interior wall painting.

Speaking specifically about interior wall painting, cleaning your walls before painting is an extremely important part of your prep work that cannot be skipped.

But what do I mean by cleaning? Do your walls needs to be scrubbed with soap and water? Cleaned with TSP? Simply dusted with a broom or shop vac?

Well… It depends.

Each project is different and requires a different level of wall cleaning before you apply your paint.

In this post I am going to cover a few different interior wall painting scenarios and how to clean your walls before painting for each different project.

Index

• How to clean already painted walls
• How to clean greasy kitchen walls
• How to clean smoke stained walls before painting
• How to clean new drywall before painting
• How to clean moldy walls before painting

How To Clean and Prep Already Painted Walls (In Good Condition)

These are the walls that you are most often going to run into. They aren't greasy, not overly dirty and have no major stains on them.

Do they even need to be cleaned at all?

Yes, every wall should get some level of cleaning before you apply new paint. It's not that the new paint will fail, but rather that by cleaning the wall you are giving the new paint the best possible surface to live on and create a smooth and beautiful finish.

For these walls I like to run over the entire walls with a round sanding disc and pole. This is simply to knock off any imperfections in the old finish, smooth it, and prepare it to adhere to the new finish.

I use a round sanding disc (the Radius 360 Sander) because it is the easiest to work with. rectangular sanding poles tend to flip over when using them and gouge your walls creating extra work. The round disc, along with a 2-4′ extension pole is quick and easy to use.

After sanding the walls, simply wipe them down with a slightly damp rag to remove any dust, debris, and spider webs.

How To Clean Greasy Kitchen Walls Before Painting

Kitchen walls typically require a bit more cleaning and prep work before painting than other walls.

Due to all the cooking going on in kitchens, they often have a bit of a grease and grime buildup.

If left as is, this can cause adhesion issues when applying new paint over the old paint. These areas can easily peel in the future, wear off easily if rubbed and even cause new paint to bead when applying.

You can't jump straight to sanding these walls with a sanding disc either. The grease residue will clog up your sanding paper almost immediately. Instead, you need to clean off the grease before sanding.

On the internet, you will mostly see people recommending using a solution of TSP and water to clean greasy walls before painting. This works perfectly fine and I'm not against it at all. There are some things to be aware of when using TSP however, so make sure to use protection.

Instead of TSP, I like to clean my walls with a simple solution of warm water and Dawn soap (or any dish soap). Dawn is available anywhere and many homes already have it on hand, making it easier than TSP. It breaks down grease and leaves your walls incredibly clean.

Simply wipe down all your walls with the warm soapy water. Then, go back over the walls with clean warm water to rise off the soapy reside.

Allow your walls to dry 100%, usually a couple of hours (or speed it up with a fan), then sand your walls with a pole sander as mentioned above, wipe off the dust and you're ready to paint.

How To Clean Smoke Stained Walls Before Painting

I've been in many homes with smoke stained walls either from smokers, fireplaces or just burnt cooking in the kitchen.

Smoke needs to be cleaned up and properly sealed before painting if you want to completely eliminate the smell and prevent the smoke from bleeding through your paint into your new paint.

While there are many different thoughts on how to best clean smoke, I've had the best luck with Arm and Hammer's Cleaning Soda.

Cleaning soda (sodium carbonate) will help clean and remove the smoke and the smoke smell.

Simply mix the cleaning soda with warm water and scrub down the walls with a rag.

To rinse the walls, mix a cup a vinegar with a gallon of warm water and wash the walls again. This will neutralize the washing soda and help kill the smoke smell (and disinfect the walls).

Once the walls dry, sand the walls using a pole and disc sander as mentioned above. Wipe off the dust and you're ready to paint.

NOTE: If your walls have really bad smoke stains, you may need to prime the walls to seal the smoke stain and prevent bleedthrough. I recommend Killz Max for this.

How To Clean New Drywall Before Painting

If you're going to be painting new drywall, you'll want to make sure to clean it off before painting as well.

New drywall won't have any stains, smoke or grease to worry about, but instead, it's going to be incredibly dusty from sanding the joints.

Excessive drywall dust on your walls can create adhesion problems for new paint and cause rough imperfections in your finished walls.

For new drywall, I like to take a shop vac along with a wide floor brush attachment and vacuum the dust right off the walls.

How To Clean Moldy Walls Before Painting

Moldy walls require a different level of cleaning before painting. I've written an entire post on cleaning and priming moldy walls that you can check out for more information on this topic.

Wrapping It All Up

Remember, a great painting job is 80% prep work and 20% painting. If you take the extra time to clean your walls before, you'll end up with a better looking finished product that will last for years.

You love your sunshine yellow walls, but that crayon masterpiece your 2-year-old created might not be yoru favorite.

Before grabbing a scrubby sponge and your favorite spray cleaner, here's what a professional painter has to say about safely cleaning those colorful walls. It's so simple, you may be surprised!

How to choose a hue that's right for you when repainting a room

How to clean latex-painted interior walls

According to Wil Bias, owner of MB Painting and Maintenance Services, LLC, in New Orleans, cleaning walls depends primarily on whether the paint is oil-based or latex. To safely clean latex-painted interior walls, follow these steps.

What you'll need:

What you'll do:

1. Mix three or four drops of dish detergent in half-filled bucket of water. (Or you can go "old school" using two or three tablespoons of distilled white vinegar to a gallon of water.)
2. Wet a sponge in the mixture and wring it out to dry. (This is important as you don't want to mess up your walls with lines of dripping water.)
3. Wipe off the dirt, rinse the sponge and repeat as needed. This works for all types of latex paint — flat, semi-gloss and gloss.
4. Make sure the sponge is wrung out dry before cleaning around electrical outlets, light switches and telephone connections. Before cleaning dirty outlet covers, turn off electricity to those areas to avoid shocks.

Bias cautions that you should never use a degreaser or any other harsh chemical cleaners on latex-painted walls.

"If marks don't come off using just soap and water or white vinegar and water, you'll have to repaint. "

How to clean oil-based painted interior walls

Because oil-based paints are a bit hardier, in addition to cleaning with the detergent/vinegar and water mixture, you can safely use a mild degreaser to remove grease, especially on kitchen walls.

What you'll need:

What you'll do:

1. Follow the instructions for latex walls above.
2. Follow the instructions on the degreaser's packaging to safely use it to get rid of any grease or buildup on the walls in the kitchen.

As with latex-painted walls, never use a scrubby sponge, Teflon pad or harsh chemicals to clean walls painted with oil-based paints. "If you do, you'll leave permanent streak marks every place you wipe," Bias said.

And, of course, follow the above precautions when cleaning around electrical and phone outlets.

While flat paint is a great way to cover your walls, there are many situations in which it can stain or become dirty. When this happens, it is important to clean it as soon as possible. Stains left alone will only get worse and more difficult to clean as time passes. However, it is easy to damage paint by using improper cleaning techniques as well, so removing dirt and stains can be intimidating. There are fortunately several ways to reliably remove even the toughest blemishes from flat paint while minimizing the chances of damaging it. What follows should give you everything you need in order to get your flat paint looking spotless.

Wiping the Walls

In some cases, it is possible for a stain to look more difficult than it actually is, so it is important to start out with the least harsh methods you can.

Get out one of your clean rags and soak it in water; then, wring it out so it is only damp. Use the damp rag to wipe off the stained area. Continue until you are satisfied that the stain is gone, or you are sure that this technique is having no effect.

Try a Foam Cleanser

While using the mildest methods is a good idea, sometimes they do not work. In this case, it is necessary to use something stronger. However, you should always remember that harsher methods have an increased chance to damage your paint, and it is important that you not be too quick to go on to the next method.

Spray your foam cleanser onto your stain. Your particular brand of cleanser should have more specific instructions, but when you have sprayed the foam and waited the appropriate amount of time, wipe it off with another clean damp rag.

Use Detergent

If spray foam cleanser does not remove the stain to your satisfaction, you may want to use laundry detergent to remove it. However, laundry detergent is much too harsh to be used on paint undiluted and will damage it under normal conditions. Because of this, it is important to water down your detergent before using it to clean your flat paint.

Measure out one gallon of water and put it in your bucket. Next, measure one tablespoon of laundry detergent and mix it in. Stir the two together thoroughly, and once you have done this, dip a new clean rag into the mixture. Wipe off the stain with the rag, continuing until it has been removed.

It can be a good idea to first test out the detergent and water solution on your flat paint in an inconspicuous location. By doing this, you can see if it damages the paint at all, without ruining the area's appearance. If it damages the paint badly, you may decide that a small stain is less unattractive than badly damaged paint, and opt to leave it alone.

Cleaning your walls regularly will help you spend less time scrubbing and repairing surfaces next time you paint. Regardless of the type of paint you have on your walls, be it oil- or water-based paint, the only way to restore and extend the service life of you paint job is to clean painted walls. How can you do that? Here are seven easy ways to help you with your cleaning task.

1. Dust your walls. You might not see the dust, but it's there. Sometimes, wiping or vacuuming your ceilings and walls is the only thing you need to do to restore your paint job to its original condition. You can use electrostatic dusting wipes or a soft brush attachment to remove dust, cobwebs, and loose dirt. Since dust mixed with water or cleaning solutions will leave marks on your walls, making your cleaning task much harder, you should dust your walls even when you intend to wash them.
2. Clean fingertips.Cleaning fingertips can be difficult. To remove fingertips from your walls, use a mild detergent solution and a nonabrasive pad. For fingertips that won't come off, apply a mixture made from one gallon of water and a quarter of a cup of baking soda or one cup of ammonia and a half of a cup of vinegar.
3. Eliminate grease and oil stains. Typically, grease and oil stains are difficult to remove, but not impossible. The key to eliminating these types of stains successfully is finding a cleaning product that can cut through the grease. Two effective eco-friendly products recommended by most specialists are the Magic Eraser from Mr. Clean and 305 Kitchen Degreaser from Siege.
4. Get rid of mold. In Florida, mold is a common issue that can escalate into a serious health concern. Fortunately, you can get rid of mold and prevent future infestations when you clean painted walls. As with any other wall cleaning task, it's best to start with a natural product. Mix one cup of vinegar and one cup of borax with one gallon of water, apply the solution to the affected areas, and wait a couple days to see if mold returns. If it does, wash your walls with bleach and water, mixed at a 1:3 ratio, or opt for any of the mold removal products available at home improvement stores.
5. Remove water stains and steam marks. To remove water stains, combine one gallon of water, one tablespoon of ammonia, a quarter of a cup of vinegar, and a quarter of a cup of borax in a bucket. Test the solution on an inconspicuous spot before using it. If there's no colorfastness, apply the solution generously to the stained areas.
6. Remove crayon marks. When you clean painted walls, one way to remove crayon marks is to rub them carefully with a cloth dampened with lighter fluid or mineral spirits. If it doesn't work, professional painters recommend the Magic Eraser solution mentioned above.
7. Rinse. After washing your walls, rinse them with clear water. Replace the water as often as necessary to avoid making your walls dirtier.

Additional Tips and Advice

• Dust your walls regularly to prevent dirt buildup.
• Clean stains as soon as you observe them. Fresh stains can be cleaned up quickly and completely with a damp sponge.
• When you clean painted walls, work in small areas, washing from the bottom up. To avoid "wash marks," take breaks after finishing an entire wall.
• Never use abrasive cleaners or bristle brushes to clean your walls, as they can scratch the surface.
• Consider semi-gloss or gloss paints for future painting projects; they're easier to clean than flat finishes.

Written by Meagan Adolphson

Meagan Adolphson is the Office Manager at Performance Painting Contractors. Meagan provides customer service and assists the project managers to ensure success for each project. Meagan's talents don't stop there, she assists Jason Parker, the owner, with various office duties to keep things running smoothly.

When it comes to residential painting, fingerprints, stains, dirt, grime, and dust are just a few factors that can make painted walls look unsightly. But as surprising as it may sound, cleaning up a painted wall is easier than many people think. Here are a few suggestions to help you make your walls look like new again.

• Consider the paint finish: Since not all wall paints have identical properties, assessing what type of finish you have is critical to choose the most appropriate cleaning method. While latex paint along with gloss, semi-gloss, satin, and eggshell finishes are designed to withstand washing, abrasive cleaning, and light scrubbing, matte paint is more difficult to clean. TIP: when washing walls, start at the base and move up gradually to avoid drip marks; don't use too much force or a harsh cleaner, as it may damage the paint.
• Dust walls regularly: Regardless of the type of paint on your walls, regular dusting is required to keep your walls looking fresh. The easiest way to get rid of dust is to use a soft broom or brush, or to tie a microfiber cleaning cloth around a long-handled sweeper and run it over your walls. TIP: to preserve the quality of your residential painting job, avoid using brooms or brushes with strong bristles, as they may scratch against walls and damage the paint.
• Wipe away stains and fingerprints: Before attempting to clean stains and fingerprints, make sure that you choose the right cleaning solution. Most marks can be cleaned with warm, soapy water. You can also use one cup of ammonia combined with a half of a cup of vinegar and a quarter of a cup of baking soda to one gallon of warm water, or a paste of baking soda and warm water. TIP: always clean stains and fingerprints as soon as possible; avoid using products that contain alcohol because this compound can break down paint, leaving marks on your walls.
• Choose the right cleaning method: To prolong the life of a commercial painting job, begin by wiping stains and fingerprints gently with a soft cloth dampened with a mild soap solution. When rubbing persistent marks, use a gentle, circular motion. If stains and fingerprints are still visible after washing the wall, try to scrub harder. TIP: always spot-test the cleaning product and method you intend to use on an inconspicuous area of the wall to ensure that it won't affect the paint.
• Try special products: For hard-to-remove stains, such as greasy fingerprints, you may want to opt for specialty products like Siege Premium Kitchen Degreaser and Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. TIP: you can also use a commercial water-activated micro-scrubber to wipe off persistent dirt.
• Rinse clean: Gently and lightly rinse off the cleaner with water and then dry your walls with a soft towel. TIP: you don't need to rinse you walls if you use a solution of vinegar, baking soda, and water.

For the best results, wash an entire wall in a single session, side to side and bottom to top, using the same solution. If you wash just an area of a wall, wash marks are very likely to occur after the wall dries out.

Although the surest way to restore a residential painting job to a perfect state is to apply a fresh coat of paint, we hope that the aforementioned tips will help you keep your painted walls clean and gleaming for years to come.

What is Dulux Easycare? From prepping to scrubbing off wear and tear, learn how to keep your walls looking pristine using our new range.

Q: Hi Dr. Dulux, we've got two small kids and a dog, and our home is quickly looking a little worse for wear – mucky fingerprints, juice, splashes of mud and who knows what else! How can we clean our painted walls? And if we were to redecorate the walls, what can you suggest that will stand the test of time?

A: That sounds like a very fun house! Let's start by looking at how to clean your walls, and we'll get on to a longer-term solution later on.

How to clean painted walls

Whether you're doing a big spring clean or cleaning specific marks and stains off of walls, start by dusting off any excess dirt using a cloth-covered broom or mop, as this will prevent dirt and grime from being smeared around. Always use soft sponges and cloths to avoid scratching the paintwork.

Next, use warm, soapy water (using your mildest cleaning detergent) and a soft sponge to gently clean your walls. Don't oversoak your sponge, as too much liquid could result in water stains being left on your walls. Leave the soapy solution on for 5-10 minutes. Then rinse off the detergent using clean water.

How to remove oil stains from painted walls

To remove greasy stains from your walls, use an old cleaning favourite: white vinegar. Mix one cup of white vinegar into a bucket of warm water, and use a soft sponge to tackle stubborn stains. You can also try using washing-up liquid and warm water.

For glossy finishes, which are less durable when it comes to cleaning, avoid harsh substances and consider using heat instead. Place an absorbent cloth over the oil stain and heat the cloth with an iron on its lowest heat setting. The heat should emulsify the oil so that it soaks into the cloth.

How to redecorate your walls to stand the test of time

For busy homes that experience a lot of daily wear and tear, we recommend redecorating using Dulux Easycare Washable & Tough – our latest innovation. It's 20 times tougher than our standard matt emulsion and has been made to withstand stubborn marks without removing paint. Ideal in busy rooms used by kids and pets day to day such as hallways, a family living room and kids bedrooms or playroom.

When liquid spills hit a wall painted in Dulux Easycare, the stain repellent technology turns the liquid into beads, which sit on the surface of the paint, making them easier to wash away.

And if one of your little angels accidentally spills or stains, most marks can be removed with a damp cleaning cloth and a mild detergent.

Once you've found your shade by using the Dulux Visualiser app and ordered a colour tester, these are your next steps:

Preparing the surfaces: Remove any loose or flaking material from your walls and make sure surfaces are clean of any dirt or grease, and are dry.

Painting: Then, apply two coats with a brush or roller, leaving two to four hours drying time between each coat. Do not apply in very damp or humid conditions or extreme temperatures.

Expert Tips:

• If the colour change is strong, you might need to apply more coats than two.
• If you use more than one can, mix them in a large container or finish in a corner before starting a new can to make sure the colour and consistency is even throughout.
• Unsure how much paint you'll need? Make sure you calculate the right amount of paint by using the Dulux Easycare paint calculator before hitting the shops. Buying only the paint you need keeps costs down and is better for the environment.

Discover more about the Easycare range of paints on our Easycare hub.

Well, cleaning the wall is probably not anyone's favorite thing. But sometimes it becomes so necessary to do especially when the stain is so yucky. How could it be removed without re-painting?

Fortunately, there are easy ways to do it. Down here is a list of wall-cleaning hacks for 10 different stains you might have on your walls. These tricks are practical, quick, and easy. So you do not need to hire a cleaning team to remove those stains. So check them out and try these tricks at your home. Let's go!!

How to clean crayon stain

• Make a paste of baking soda and some water
• Apply the paste to the stained area
• Use a sponge to scrub it gently
• Wash it with soapy water
• Rinse with clear water

How to clean black mold

• Dilute some baking soda to the water-vinegar mixture.
• Spray the solution to the stained area. Let it sit for few hours and wipe with a damp cloth.

CAUTION: vinegar smells strange and could be bothering for some people. So make sure your windows are open and you are using a mask. You can also mix the solution with essential oil to fight the bad odor.

How to clean a wax stain

• Grab your hair dryer and turn it on to the maximum heat.
• Put it so close to the wax stain so the wax melts.
• Grab some paper towel and quickly wipe the melted wax.

How to clean pen ink stain

• Mix baking soda and water to make a paste.
• Apply the paste to the stained area.
• Let it sit for a few minutes.
• Wipe the paste gently using a clean white cloth.

How to clean permanent marker stain

• Spray the stained area with hairspray [that contains alcohol]
• Wipe it with a white cloth.
• Repeat as needed.

How to remove pencil stain

• Wet the corner of a magic eraser.
• Use it to rub the pencil mark
• That's it 😉

How to remove cigarette smoke stain

CAUTION! USE YOUR GLOVES AND MASK. OPEN YOUR WINDOW TO LET FRESH AIR COMES IN.

• Mix 1/2 cup of vinegar, 1/2 cup of ammonia, and 1-2 liters of warm water.
• Soak a sponge in the solution
• Use the rough side of the sponge to rub the stained area.
• Repeat as needed.
• Wash the wall with clear water.
• Wipe using a dry clean cloth.

How to remove the grease stain

• Just mix 2-3 drops of dish soap with a cup of warm water.
• Soak a clean cloth in the solution.
• Use the soaked cloth to rub the stain.
• If this gentle trick doesn't work, soak the clean cloth with a mixture of vinegar and water and use it to rinse the wall.
• For the last step, don' forget to wipe it all with a clean dry cloth.

How to remove food stain

• Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply it to the stained area. Rub it with a clean cloth. Wash with clean water and dry with a clean towel.
• For a stubborn stain, combine a pinch baking soda, some apple cider vinegar, some ammonia, and 2 liters of warm water.
• Put on your gloves and grab a sponge to rub the solution over the stained area.
• Wash with water.
• After that, wipe the area with a dry clean cloth.

How to remove hair dye stain

• Soak the magic eraser
• Squeeze the eraser
• Use it to scrub the stained area in a circular motion
• Wipe it all with a clean dry cloth

I intentionally put cleaning tips for 10 different stains because I understand that every home is different. Every home has its own story. Maybe you just bought a home from a smoker. Maybe your home is full of creative kids. Maybe your home is full of creative chefs.

No matter what kind of wall stain you got on the wall, just bookmark this post to make sure you can take a look at it whenever you need.

how to clean walls with flat paint

Source: https://sportsclinictampico.com/interior/how-to-clean-painted-walls/

Posted by: fureyexedger.blogspot.com

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