Two of the major culprits responsible for getting our walls grubby, are kids and pets. Kids will pick up crayons and scribble on the paintwork, or scuff their shoes along the edges, while pets may scratch at walls while they’re left home alone or simply rub against them when their coats are wet and muddy. While there is no magic solution to this problem, cleaning the walls regularly should help, and here are a few tips to help you achieve the clean walls that your home deserves:
1st Step
Be clear on what paint is on your walls, since this will affect how vigorously you can clean them, and what products you can use on them. Semi-gloss or enamel paint can withstand vigorous washing, while flat, stain or eggshell finishes are nowhere near as durable and will begin to rub off if you clean them too hard or use a cleaner that is harsh and abrasive.
Once you know what paint is on your walls, you must dust them before you begin washing, otherwise your job will be made much harder. To make the job even easier, you could simply use one of the attachments on your vacuum cleaner.
2nd Step
Get some towels (old ones if you have them) and lay them along the edges of the wall to prevent your floor from getting wet as you clean the walls. A liquid cleaner is best used on stains and smears, and to prevent any damage to your walls, the cleaner should be very mild. If the mildest solution doesn’t work, you can try a slightly stronger
one, but always do a patch test first. If water alone will remove the stains, then so much the better, but if the stains and smudges are too stubborn, then you could try warm, soapy water.
If even the very mildest solutions are not helping to clean the walls, then mix a cup of ammonia with a ½ cup of vinegar and a ¼ cup of baking soda in one gallon of water. Use a sponge to wipe the solution on the walls, and once you’ve finished, be sure to dry the wall well with a towel so that you’re not left with streaks and smears.
For stains that are even more difficult to get rid of, you can try making a paste from baking soda and water and rub that over the stain. Simply rinse it clean with water and wipe it dry with a cloth.
3rd Step
When cleaning, always start at the top of the wall and gradually make your way down to the bottom. Don’t forget to wipe plain water over every area that you’ve just cleaned to rinse it and have separate buckets for the cleaning solution in and the plain water.
If using a sponge (which is probably the best tool), squeeze it to eliminate much of the water as you want a damp cloth and not a dripping wet one. The quickest and easiest way to clean the wall is to do it methodically, section by section, and wipe each section dry once you’ve done.
Grubby walls can really make a home look dirty and dingy, so use these simple steps to help keep them clean and fresh. If you don’t have the time or energy to clean them yourselves, then try using a cleaning company to get the job done for you.