You will know some housekeeping tricks if you take pride in maintaining a clean home. You want your home to look beautiful, so you can do everything from scrubbing and mopping to hardwood flooring and carpeting cleaning. Do you know how to clean walls the best? You’re not the only one who doesn’t know how to clean walls. Many of us don’t notice our walls as much as we do horizontal surfaces such as floors, counters, or furniture.
It is worth learning how to wash walls because of how often we touch them, particularly around switches, plates, and doorways. Without regular cleaning, germs, dirt, and dust can build up quickly. Regular cleaning of your walls can reduce the amount of dust and allergens that can cause asthma and allergies. Also, it will make your home feel cleaner. This reduces the spreading of viruses and germs, which will make your home healthier for your family.
These 10 tips will show you how to clean walls. Make them part of your housekeeping routine to create a beautiful, healthy home.
1. Take it easy with flat, satin, or eggshell finishes.
Wall paint finishes can be less durable than the paint used for baseboards, window trim, doors, and baseboards. Flat paint finishes should not be treated with harsh chemicals or commercial cleaners. These walls can be washed with a soft sponge and dampened in a cleaning solution. Do not scrub too hard, or you might damage the paint.
2. Glossy and semi-gloss finishes can be tough.
These paint finishes are durable and can be used in high-traffic areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. You can safely use mild degreasers on glossy walls, provided you clean the area well. To prevent scratches, glossy paints can be tough. Use a soft sponge.
3. Warm water and an all purpose cleaner are recommended for walls painted with latex paint.
This type of paint can be cleaned with a soft sponge, distilled white vinegar, and dish soap. Use a sponge to clean the wall. You can speed up the process by wiping down the wall with a damp cloth. The vinegar smell should disappear once the wall has dried.
4. Use warm water and dish soap to clean walls painted with oil-based paints.
Avoid white vinegar if you are using oil-based paint on walls. Oil-based finishes can be dulled and damaged by vinegar’s acidity. Warm water can be used along with dish soap and baking soda. However, keep your sponge damp as you scrub the dirt off. Baking soda is mild and abrasive, while dish soap should be able to remove enough dirt for oil-based paint.
5. Clean safely.
You should clean the walls around light switches and outlets to remove any grime buildup, but don’t let these areas get wet. Turn off the breaker if your outlet covers or switch plates are dirty. While you are cleaning your floors, place towels on the base of your walls to protect them.
6. Before you clean your walls, dust them.
Dust the walls starting at the top. For dusting cobwebs and getting up close to the top molding, a broom can be useful. A dry microfiber cloth or paint brush can make dusting wall corners and chair rails easier. Use your vacuum with its brush attachment if your walls are very dusty.
7. Test your cleaning solution before you use it.
Our recommended cleaning products are safe and gentle. However, it is best to test a small area on walls before applying them. This is particularly important for matte or flat surfaces. If the cleaning solution is too harsh, it can leave light-colored streaks or stains.
8. Use the correct technique.
It is important to follow a proper technique when cleaning painted walls. Two buckets are needed. One bucket should be filled with warm water to rinse, and the other one with your wall cleaner. Begin at the top and work your way downwards using circular motions. To prevent discoloration and spots, work in sections. Use your cleaning solution to wash the wall. Then, use a sponge that has been dipped into your rinse bucket to wipe the residue off. Use your microfiber cloth to dry the wall, and then move on to the next section.
9. After you have washed your walls, work on stubborn stains.
If you are cleaning painted walls, you can save time by focusing on the stains after washing them. You give your cleaning solution time to get rid of the stain. You can make a safe and effective homemade stain remover if you see any stains still on your walls, even after washing them.
Make a paste of baking soda and water for stubborn stains such as crayons and shoe scuffs. Use a sponge or non-abrasive paper to gently rub the paste onto the stain. Hydrogen peroxide, which is safe for painting finishes, can be used to bleach fruit drinks and red wines. Apply a little hydrogen peroxide to the stain with a damp, clean cloth. Wait about five minutes. Next, use a damp cloth to wipe away the stain.
10. Maintain clean walls with regular cleaning maintenance.
Regular dusting and spot-cleaning of walls will keep them looking great. High-traffic areas, such as around switches, plates, and door frames, should be cleaned regularly. Most surface stains and scuffs can be removed with Mr. Use Mr. Magic Erasers to clean the chair rails and wall areas near them.
How to clean wood walls.
Wood texture walls require a different cleaning and maintenance approach. You can make your own wood wall cleaner by adding 1/4 cup water to 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon mineral oil, and 15 drops of lemon essential oil. This will deep clean and condition the walls. Combine all ingredients and work the cleaner into the wood using a clean cloth.
To remove stubborn stains, apply more pressure to the grain and use a circular motion. You don’t need to rinse the wood. Let it air dry. The wood will have a nice lemon scent and a warm shine from the cleaner. Use a dampened cloth soaked in lemon oil for spot cleaning and regular maintenance.
How to wash walls made of concrete and brick.
You can use dish soap and salt to clean your walls. It is safe, effective, and easily available. The dish soap is able to cut through grease and dirt, while the salt removes stains and grime. Mix one cup of dish soap with one cup of salt to make a thick, gritty paste.
To protect furniture and floors from dirt and dust, cover them with a tarp. Use your vacuum to remove dirt and dust from walls using the brush attachment. To reach into the nooks and crevices of the wall, use a soft-bristled brush. Avoid using a wire brush as it could cause damage to the mortar or finish.
Brick and other textured walls absorb liquids, so you should spray the wall with water. This will prevent the wall from absorption of your cleaning solution and allow it to do its job by removing dirt and grime.
Use sections measuring 3×3. Work from the top to the bottom of the wall. Spread the paste onto the section using a clean cloth. Use a stiff nylon bristle brush to gently scrub the area. Allow the paste to work for 10 minutes on the wall. Use a clean, wet cloth to remove any excess paste. Use a vacuum attachment with a brush attachment once the paste is dry to remove any remaining paste.
It can be difficult to clean walls that haven’t been cleaned in a while. These safe and effective tips will make your walls look new again.
