Have you ever noticed that no matter how much effort you put into cleaning your home, the walls always seem to be the most neglected area? It’s not surprising since we don’t touch them as often as other surfaces. However, dirty and stained walls can quickly ruin the appearance of an otherwise spotless room. Like any part of your home, your walls need cleaning, too. If you regularly clean your walls, they will remain fresh and good looking for a longer period. However, if you have no time or you simply forget to clean your walls occasionally, you will have to do your major wall cleaning as soon as possible. From cleaning different types of wall paint finishes to using natural cleaning methods, we’ve got you covered!
Cleaning Painted Walls
Everyone wants to have a pristine-looking home. However, it can be a daunting task for many people to clean their walls. It doesn’t come only to energy and willpower, you just might not know how to clean specific types of paint. Each one might require a different cleaning method.
What type of paint do you have?
Usually, walls are painted with either alkyd or latex paint. The first type of paint is also known as oil-based paint. It is washable and durable. However, if your walls are painted with latex paint, you should know that this water-based paint can be easily washed up after a certain period of time. Generally, both latex and alkyd paint come in four finishes:
- Semi-gloss paint – Used for walls;
- Satin paint – Used for trim and doors;
- Gloss paint – Used for wood surfaces, kitchen, and bathroom walls;
- Flat paint – Used for ceilings and walls.
So, if all these terms are familiar to you, then you should know that you can clean your painted walls quickly and effectively by using different all-purpose, homemade cleaners.
How to clean painted walls with a homemade cleaner?
For light stains or smudges, using a mild detergent solution and warm water can effectively remove them without damaging the paint. You can also create your own solutions to keep your walls clean and fresh. And here are a few suggestions to try at home:
- Remove the dirt from your painted walls by making a mixture of 1 cup of clear ammonia, 1 gallon of warm water, ½ cup of vinegar and ¼ cup of baking soda;
- Always wash your walls from top to bottom to avoid streaks;
- You should wide open all doors and windows before cleaning your walls to provide good ventilation to the room;
- Protect your hands with rubber gloves before using the homemade cleaning solution;
- When you are ready to begin the cleaning of your walls, apply the homemade cleaner to the affected areas with a sponge;
- Rinse the surface thoroughly with clean water.
However, for tougher stains like grease or crayon marks, using baking soda paste or rubbing alcohol may be necessary. It’s essential to test any cleaning product on an inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire wall to avoid discolouration or damage. Additionally, avoiding abrasive materials such as steel wool and harsh chemicals like bleach is crucial in protecting both the paint finish and one’s health. Therefore, understanding the nature of your painted walls’ surface and choosing appropriate cleaning techniques accordingly are vital steps towards ensuring their longevity while keeping them clean and visually pleasing.
Regular dusting
Regular dusting with a soft cloth or vacuuming with a brush attachment can help prevent dirt buildup on walls. To effectively remove dust from painted walls, you’ll need a microfiber cloth or feather duster specifically designed for wall cleaning. The same can be done with wallpaper walls. You should start at the top of the wall and work your way down in sections while moving horizontally across each section. It’s important not to forget corners where cobwebs may have accumulated, as well as light switches and other fixtures. In addition to keeping your home looking good and maintaining healthy indoor air quality, a regular dusting of painted walls has financial benefits, too – it extends the life span of paint by reducing build-up, which can cause peeling or cracking over time. Investing some time in regularly removing dirt and grime buildup on painted walls pays dividends both aesthetically and health-wise while also saving money in maintenance costs over time!
More Wall Cleaning Tips
In addition to the tips already mentioned in this blog post, there are a few more things you can do to ensure your walls stay clean and look their best. Don’t forget about the importance of ventilation when it comes to keeping your walls clean! Proper airflow helps prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to mould growth on your walls over time.
Cleaning Brick Walls
If you are a proud owner of new brick walls and you have no clue how to remove the dirt from them, then you can easily handle the situation with a mixture of hot water and some all-purpose cleaner. For heavily stained and dirty mortar between the bricks, you need to add a small amount of bleach to the mixture.
Remove Transparent Tape
Remove transparent tape from your walls without causing any damage to the surface with a warm iron. Cover the area with a cotton rag and then run the warm iron over the rag to loosen the tape.
Remove Crayon Stains
Remove crayon stains from your painted walls with a sponge or cloth dampened with some light filter or mineral spirit. Rub the affected areas carefully to avoid any damage.
Clean Metal Tiles
If you have metal wall tiles, use some effective all-purpose cleaner and a clean cotton rag to remove the dirt. After that, you should buff the surface with a clean and soft microfibre cloth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, keeping your walls clean and spotless doesn’t have to be a daunting, but important cleaning task. By following the tips we’ve shared in this post, you can easily maintain the look and feel of your home without breaking a sweat. Remember to dust regularly, spot-clean any stains or marks as soon as possible, use mild detergents or natural cleaning solutions when necessary, and invest in high-quality paint finishes that are easy to clean. With these simple steps, you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful and pristine walls for years to come! So go ahead and give it a try – your home will thank you for it!
