What's the best way to clean walls?
It's been forever since I cleaned my walls and I can tell they're starting to get a little grimy. I'd love all your tips and tricks on how to clean walls! Recommendations for your favorite products, devices, solutions, or anything else that would help me clean my walls would be greatly appreciated
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Expert Comments
There are a few things you can do to clean your walls. Firstly, you can just make a mixture of vinegar and water. For example, I'd mix about two cups of water with a half cup of vinegar and put it in a spray bottle. And then you just spray that on and rub it on your walls. The solution can smell strongly of vinegar, so I like to put a couple drops of essential oil in there to create a nicer smell. You can also try using a dedicated wall cleaner. I've used a few different official wall cleaning products, and the Zepp wall cleaner is my favorite and works really well.
However, you should check the type of paint used in your house. If you have flat paint, that can be the hardest paint to clean and it requires a different approach. For flat paint, I do a one-to-two-to-three ratio of one part vinegar, two parts laundry detergent, and three parts water. So, you would mix one tablespoon vinegar, two tablespoons laundry detergent, three tablespoons water. You're just going off that ratio. That works really well on flat paint and won't be too harsh or make it come off.
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However, you should check the type of paint used in your house. If you have flat paint, that can be the hardest paint to clean and it requires a different approach. For flat paint, I do a one-to-two-to-three ratio of one part vinegar, two parts laundry detergent, and three parts water. So, you would mix one tablespoon vinegar, two tablespoons laundry detergent, three tablespoons water. You're just going off that ratio. That works really well on flat paint and won't be too harsh or make it come off.
Reader Comments
Just a damp cloth with some dish soap does the trick! I found that hot water works best for breaking down the stains. Gently scrub your walls in circular motions, but don't apply so much pressure that you damage the paint.
When I need to clean a spot high up on the wall, I like to wrap the cloth around a Swiffer head to reach the mess. If there are some stubborn stains, I'll spray some all-purpose cleaner on the mop and scrub with a little more elbow grease.
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When I need to clean a spot high up on the wall, I like to wrap the cloth around a Swiffer head to reach the mess. If there are some stubborn stains, I'll spray some all-purpose cleaner on the mop and scrub with a little more elbow grease.
Thanks for the tips! What kind of cloth should I be using on my walls? I have some rags lying around and want to know if I can use those or if I should go get something else to avoid damaging my walls
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Be careful to use a soft cloth, like a microfiber towel or maybe a soft sponge. Something more abrasive could scratch the paint. Scrub very gently! If youre trying to attack a specific stain or smudge I've also heard that a Magic Eraser could get rid of spots in small areas but I haven't tried it myself so take it with a grain of salt.
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I've found a spin mop really effective to use on my walls! It helps me reach high places without having to get a ladder and low places without having to bend down. I think it's similar to the cloth on a Swiffer trick but I think this is easier to use because to me it feels l ike it has more scrubbing power and is easier to load up with cleaning solution
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If you're trying out a new wall cleaning technique for the first time (new chemical, product, tool, etc.) I'd recommend doing a patch test on a small, inconspicuous portion of your wall to make sure that it doesn't damage your walls! One time I tried cleaning my wall and some of the paint came off and it was a pain to touch everything up...
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Other wikiHow readers have submitted their own tips on topics similar to this one.
Reader Tips from How to Clean Plaster Walls
If you need to reach a spot that's really high on your wall, wet a sponge mop in your cleaning solution. Just remember to wipe the wall dry with a dry mop afterwards.
If there's any type of food stain, try using a commercial degreaser and a melamine eraser sponge.
Reader Tips from How to Dust Walls
Remember to change your HVAC air filter if you have dusty walls. The filter traps dust in the air from your home, but it stops working well once it gets too dirty.
Clean your walls with a mixture of 1 cup vinegar and 1 gallon water to help disinfect them even more.
Reader Tips from How to Clean Wallpaper
Try making a homemade cleaning dough from water, salt, and flour so it has a doughy consistency. Press the dough onto the wallpaper and lift it up to remove dust.
Vinyl wallpapers are more durable and easier to clean, while traditional wallpapers may require more delicate handling.
Ensure good ventilation during and after cleaning to help the walls dry faster and prevent moisture buildup.
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