The Best Way to Clean Walls in Your House

Are you looking to spruce up the grimy walls of your house? Even a new paint job starts looking stale after a few months. Spending big bucks on repainting or buying the most luxurious wallpapers is not a pocket-friendly option for everyone. But, getting a neat look is possible with some simple hacks at home.

I have been obsessed with cleaning since childhood and joined the cleaning sector ten years back to monetize my passion. I have worked at carpet cleaning Hertfordshire over the years, and I have picked up some great and affordable cleaning tips along the way. From wall-cleaning to floors, my notebook is full of useful tactics.

Today, I will share some valuable tricks for cleaning the walls of your home without damaging the expensive wallpaper and paint and breaking your bank. Let’s begin!

1.     Make a Cleaning Kit

You do not need to buy a list of special cleaners for cleaning your walls. Most of the things are likely to be already present in your home. Gather all the things at one place to get ready for wall-cleaning:

-          Buckets 2-3

-          Water

-          Baking soda

-          Liquid soap

-          Cleaning brushes

-          Dust removing sprays

-          Soft sponge

-          Dusters

-          Hydrogen peroxide

2.   Identifying the Paint Finish

The products mentioned above are the basic supplies suitable for every type of wall. However, you may need to buy a few extra products if your walls are either extremely dirty or have a special paint finish. Therefore, know the paint finish of your wall before you begin.

These are the most common types of paint finishes found in homes:

-          Dull, Flat, and Eggshell Finish

Never use harsh chemicals and degreasing solutions on flat paints. Also, be careful in scrubbing. Flat paints need to be cleaned with care. Harsh scrubbing can damage the paint.

-          Glossy Finish

Usually, glossy finish paint is present on the walls of our kitchen, bedrooms, and washrooms. You can conveniently use degreasing solutions and scrub a little hard. However, don’t use a hard sponge.

3.   Cleaning Walls

Once you have identified the type of paint finish, you can begin cleaning. Here is how you do it:

i. Cleaning Walls with Latex-Based Paints

Follow the below steps:

·         Step 1: Use a soft sponge and dip it in warm water. Thoroughly clean the wall with this sponge.

·         Step 2: Use a non-abrasive all-purpose cleaner and clean the wall again by dipping a sponge in it.

Tip: Be careful to turn off the electricity if there are some electric connections on the wall.

·         Step 3: If the wall is still unclean and stains of fingerprints and other marks are visible, you need to go for the third step. Here you will make a thick paste of baking soda and water. Dip a sponge in this solution, rub it on to the stains, and leave it for five minutes. Afterward, clean the wall with a soft and moist dusting cloth.

Tip: If you still notice some grime, dip a duster in rubbing alcohol and clean the spot.

ii. Cleaning Walls with Oil Based Paint

Oil-based painted walls are cleaned in the same manner. However, it is ideal to use a solution of white vinegar for thorough cleaning. Dilute 5 tbsp. of vinegar in ½ liter of water and make a cleaning solution. However, if your walls are textured, you need to pay more attention to cleaning. Textured walls are likely to absorb more dust and dirt. So, mix borax (1 ounce) in a pint of water and clean the wall.

4.   All-Purpose Cleaning Solution

Prepare a cleaning solution and use it as an all-purpose cleaner. This cleaner is ideal for oil-based walls and can be prepared in a few minutes. Here is the recipe:

-          Take a quart of warm water and dissolve a teaspoon of liquid soap in it.

-          Now add 1 teaspoon of vinegar into it.

-          Let the solution stay on the stain for five minutes before scrubbing.

Tip: Use a white colored microfiber duster so that the color of the towel does not transfer to your wall.

5.    Simple Steps for Newbies

-          Before you start cleaning, line up the floor with a towel so that it can stay protected from excess water that may drip from your cleaning cloth.

-          Be sure to dust the walls thoroughly before using any cleaning solution. Use a vacuum or a dry mop covered with a towel to dust properly.

-          Now the walls are ready for a wet clean. Prepare a solution in two different buckets—one with warm water and another with liquid soap.

-          Do a test patch before you start the actual cleaning of the walls.

-          Dip a sponge in the liquid soap and gently clean the walls. Once done, clean the walls with a towel dipped in warm water. If cleaning becomes difficult with a sponge and is taking a lot of time, you can tie a piece of a towel on a broom. Now, dip the towel in soap solution and clean the walls quickly.

-          Be sure to clean the walls in a circular motion.

-          Always use a good quality of baking soda to get out the tough stains. Make a thick paste and rub the sponge on the stain for five minutes.

6.   How to Maintain Cleaned Walls?

Prevention is always better than cure. Once you have done all the hard work to clean your walls, try to maintain them. Scrubbing the paint repeatedly will result in damage and a dull appearance. Use a vacuum with a soft brush for cleaning the walls once a week. Now, use a broomstick to clean again. For ideal results, spray a dusting spray.

Do not leave marks and stains for long. The longer they will stay, the harder they will become. So, wipe them off right after you notice. Also, avoid using excessive water for wall cleaning. Use a damp duster or towel with a thick solution.

Wrapping It Up

In short, cleaning your house walls is not a tricky task. With the handful of tips mentioned above, you can get rid of the tough stains, dirt, and dust in no time. Also, try to maintain your walls. If you pile up a lot of stains, cleaning will become like a never-ending task. Use the tips mentioned above and enjoy a neat look of your home.