How to Clean Interior Walls Without Wearing Down the Paint
Here is the common scenario: You have dirt spots from your kids’ hands, grease stains from working in the garage, and some tomato sauce where dinner splattered on your wall because of multitasking.
It is starting to become noticeable, and you really want to clean it up. Yet, you are worried and at a loss because the last time you tried cleaning the walls, you ended up taking paint with it. So whether you are doing a yearly cleaning or just getting that pesky stain off your wall, we have compiled some gentle, effective ways to clean your walls without wearing down the paint.
In order to get the beautiful sheen back to your walls, you have to cater your cleaning methods to the type of paint that was used to coat them. Before doing any washing, run a duster over the ceiling and walls. This will help keep the dirt from sticking once you wash.
Semi-gloss or enamel paint will stand up to washing well; however, flat, stain or eggshell finishes are not as durable and may wear down with harder scrubbing.
No matter what type of paint coat, always start with the gentlest cleaning materials possible – like water on a cellulose sponge. If this isn’t enough, go up another level with warm water and a mild detergent soap. If this doesn’t do the trick, experiment with other homemade solutions like 1 cup ammonia, ½ cup vinegar, and ¼ cup baking soda to 1 gallon of warm water.
While you need gentle tools, you also need a gentle method. When cleaning, rub in a gentle, circular motion to avoid damaging the paint. Wring out sponges well to avoid drips, and work in sections. Dry each section with a clean, soft cloth before moving on to the next section.
Always begin at the top of the wall and work your way down. Alternate between the wet, soapy sponge and a wet, clear rinsing sponge. Ensure each has their own bucket. Do not skip the step of rinsing with clean water to ensure that dirt doesn’t cling to the soapy residue.
When zeroing in on a specific stain, try a paste of baking soda and water. Gently rub it over the stain and then rinse it with clean water and dry with a soft cloth. Always test a small, unobtrusive area with the intended wall cleaner. If it looks worse than when you started and you know that you have a flat or eggshell latex paint, your best bet may be a fresh coat of paint or hiring your local residential painters to take care of the job!
Best cleaning for certain paints:
Latex Paint – Use warm water and a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner.
Oil-Based Paint – Use detergent solution or white vinegar with water.
The last thing anyone wants to do is end up wearing down the paint on their walls when performing a simple cleaning task. Follow this guide to help ensure your interior wall paint stays perfect! Contact the local experts at Noel Painting for any of your residential painting needs. We are always here to help!
