Walls often get overlooked when it comes to home cleaning, but upon closer inspection, many are scuffed and stained and their appearance could be letting your home down.
However, while it is a great idea to clean your walls (or have a professional maid do it for you), there are a few considerations depending upon what type of wall it is.
Here are some tips for getting any kind of wall, spotlessly clean:
Cleaning flat or eggshell painted walls
It’s very important not to use abrasive cleaners on these walls, or to carry out any kind of scrubbing on them, since this could damage their delicate finish.
Cleaning gloss or semi-gloss painted walls
Again, scrubbing and the use of abrasive cleaners isn’t recommended, but most walls of this kind can tolerate a degreasing cleaner.
Cleaning latex painted walls
A non-abrasive cleaning solution is best (such as dish soap), coupled with warm water.
Cleaning textured walls
Use a soft-bristled scrubbing brush and a mild cleaner (such as dish soap).
Cleaning wallpapered walls
Always use a non-abrasive sponge or cloth to gently clean the affected areas, and make sure you have a towel at hand to absorb any excess liquid lest it damage the adhesive used for the wallpaper.
How best to clean a wall
There are 8 simple steps involved in cleaning the walls of your home, and they are as follows:
- Before you or your cleaning service start cleaning the wall, you should move any items or furniture out of the way to avoid damaging them. It’s also a good idea to place some towels by the baseboards to protect them from spillages and drips.
- Dust down the entire surface of the wall with a microfiber cloth
- For a lightly stained wall, warm water and a soft sponge might suffice, whereas tougher grime might require a degreasing solution. Check the list at the top of this article if you’re unsure what solution to use on your walls. Avoid colored cleaners and sponges wherever possible, as these may stain the wall.
- Begin at the top left and work your way down, cleaning the entire wall before focusing on any tougher stains.
- For deeper cleaning, use a soft cloth and some extra dish soap to get rid of leftover stains and scuffs. You can also try making a paste from baking soda and water to scrub at stains, but always do so gently and test a small area of the wall first.
- Rinse the wall with clean, warm water, before using a damp cloth to wipe any remaining residue.
- If necessary, you may need to lightly touch up some areas with paint that are more deeply marked.
- Once you’ve finished washing your walls, give them ample time to dry and ideally, by opening a window to let the air dry it naturally.
Wall washing may not be your idea of fun, and if you’ve got grubby walls but don’t have the time or inclination to clean them yourself, simply hire a cleaner and have them carry out the work for you.
