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How to Clean Your Interior Walls

Do your walls look dirty? High traffic walls should be washed at least once a year. Before you hire someone to do the job, you can clean your walls on your own. It is not hard at all. Research what you need to clean your walls and make them shine.

What Supplies You Will Need?

  • Towel/Blanket (Lay it down on the floor to catch water droplets)
  • Liquid Cleaner
  • 2 Buckets
  • Rubber Gloves
  • Rag or a Sponge

Before You Start this Process

Ask yourself a question. What kind of paint is on the wall? Will the cleaning products damage the paint? Flat, stained, or eggshell finished walls will not live out a painting process. Walls that are semi-gloss or enamel will not be damaged.

Dust the Walls First

Once you have determined if the paint on your wall will survive your cleaning supplies, it is time to wash it. Never paint a wall with dirt, dust, or grime. It ruins the paint job. Take your vacuum cleaner, put on the attachable brush, and run it over the walls to remove all the loose particles.

Aside from dust remove any objects such as picture frames, artwork, or lamps hanging on the walls. Move all the furniture out of the vicinity so it will not get wet.

What Liquid Cleaner Should I Use?

First, use the mildest cleaner that you can find. Water is a great source. Warmer water and dishwasher soap is the most effective. Using soapier water proves to be a better way to get rid of stains or Crayola when the kids do art projects. Spray the water on the entire wall and then wipe it down.

Another option is mixing ammonia, vinegar, baking soda, and a gallon of warm water. Create a baking soda paste. Mix half of a cup of baking soda with an ounce of water. Avoid any colored soaps. Keep the sponge damp. Wring the sponge out to get rid of all the dirty water.

Steps to Washing the Walls

  • Step 1:  Fill a bucket with soapy water. Fill a second bucket with clean water for rinsing.
  • Step 2: Test any cleaning product that you are going to use on the wall. Apply a small amount to the surface and see if it leaves any streaks or discoloration. It’s best to test it on a part of the wall that is not easily seeable, for example behind a picture frame.
  • Step 3: Begin at the top of the wall and work your way down.

You want to be sure you aren’t over saturating the area and letting it get into the wall itself. You want to clean the outside of the wall without putting a lot of cleaner or pressure, as that could damage the wall.

Where Should I Start?

We’re glad that you asked that. Always start at all the top of the wall. Then work your way down. Work in sections. Once you have completed a section, dry the area with a clean rag. Gently scrub the walls but you should still put all your muscles into it. Apply the sponge in a circular motion.

Removing Stains

Once you see a scratch or a stain on the wall, do not leave it. It is only going to become a permanent mark on the wall if you do that.

How to Remove Stains:

  • Step 1: Dab a stain with a damp rag or a sponge and gently wipe the wall until the stains come off. Don’t use soap or a cleaner to see if it will work.
  • Step 2: If a sponge without any soap won’t work, then you should dip the cloth in a cleaning solution like baking soda and water, and scrub the mark again.
  • Step 3: Use a stronger cleaner product if that does not work. Never give up. Your walls deserve a good cleaning
  • Step 4: Once you wipe the area clean with the cleaning product, it’s time to dry it. Remove all the cleaning residue. Don’t leave any remnants behind as it will only damage the wall further.

Drying the Wall

After you wash it, dry it. Trust us when we say that those water particles do not make the wall any better. For stains that cannot be defeated by any cleaning products, the touch-up painting will work just fine.

Conceal it with paint that you use on the wall. It’s better to use paint that came from the original can if you have it.

And then, use a small paintbrush or a roller. And then gently paint the area with a small amount of tough-up paint and then let it dry.

If you have any questions regarding interior painting, our professional painters are here to help. If you would like an estimate for interior painting or have any questions, you can contact us here or call us directly at 239.600.1418.

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