How to Clean Painted Walls Properly: A Homeowner’s Guide

Your home’s newly painted walls can beautify your space and create the mood you are going for. But as years go by, you may notice dirt, stains, or grime eventually accumulating on them, especially when they become coated with insect droppings, spider webs, and grease splatters. The main reason for this is cleaning is often overlooked. In reality, it should be a regular part of your household chores. If you need to learn more about keeping your wall well-maintained, feel free to use this article as your guide.

What Are the Tools and Materials I Need to Clean My Painted Walls?

Whether you need to wash your entire walls from top to bottom or perform a quick spot cleaning on high-contact surfaces, you can ensure spotless walls with a thorough cleaning. Here are some of the tools and materials you need:

All-purpose cleaner

Baking soda

Bucket

Dishwashing liquid

Distilled white vinegar

Laundry borax

Melamine sponge

Sponges or microfiber cloths

Spray bottle

Step stool or ladder

Vacuum or duster

How Do I Clean My Painted Walls Properly?

Cleaning painted walls is tricky because it can cause streaking. It happens when water mixes with dirt and grime, you scrubbed too hard, or you use too much water or a harsh cleaner. To prevent this and get only the best results, here are some steps you can follow in cleaning your walls properly:

Consider the Paint Type of Your Wall

Interior wall paint comes in many types, and each requires different cleaning methods. To determine the best way to clean your walls, identify the type of paint and the finish.

Oil-based paints are more durable and tend to hold up better than latex paints while cleaning, while water-based or latex paints do not handle regular cleaning well. As for the paint finishes, high-gloss surfaces are the most durable and can easily be cleaned with detergent. Semi-gloss finishes have a noticeable shine and hold up well to washing and moisture.

On the other hand, if your wall has a satin or eggshell finish, you will notice it reflects light with a light sheen. It is durable, but using abrasive cleaners is not recommended. The same goes for a flat or matte finish since it does not hold up well to cleaning, so make sure to use only gentle cleansers.

Prepare the Walls

Prepare your walls by removing dust, loose dirt, and cobwebs using a duster or a long-handled soft-bristle brush. You can also clean with a lint-free cloth or vacuum cleaner with the bristle-brush attachment for easy-to-reach areas. Make sure to start at the cleaning and work your way down.

To get rid of stains, create a mild cleaning solution with warm, soapy water and dish detergent. You can also add a half cup of vinegar, one cup of ammonia, and one-fourth cup of baking soda to the solution to eliminate persistent stains.

Wash the Walls

When washing the walls, use a soft sponge and apply a gentle, circular motion. Never scrub, don’t oversoak it, and wring it out to prevent leaving water stains. It’s also best to place some towels at the base of the wall to catch dripping water. Use clean water to rinse off the soapy solution, then dry with a lint-free cloth.

Conclusion

Your painted walls are just as important as the other surfaces of your house. Keeping them looking new can be challenging over time due to accumulated dust and dirt, but you can do it by cleaning them properly using this guide. If you think it’s time for a fresh coat of paint, hire experienced local painting contractors.

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If you seek top-notch painting services in Edmonton, feel free to hire our skilled professional painters at iPaint Painting. We offer professional interior and exterior painting services. Contact us to request a free estimate!