Can I steam clean drywall?

Author: Frederick Rutherford  |  Last update: Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Clean drywall, wallpaper and wooden walls. You can use your steam cleaner to give the walls of every room a quick refresh. Simply adjust the steam temperature to steam any wall surface in your home.

What is the best thing to clean drywall walls with?

Wipe down your walls with a damp cellulose sponge.

Using acidic cleaning solutions could damage the appearance of your wall. To avoid this, use simple water and a cellulose sponge. Dampen your sponge but don't fully saturate it. Apply pressure on the sponge and move from the top to the bottom of your wall.

Are steam cleaners safe for walls?

Can you Use a Steam Cleaner on Walls? Yes! Steam cleaning is safe for your walls and won't impact the other members of your household. It also offers plenty of other benefits, including: Minimal streaking.

What surfaces should not be steam cleaned?

Don'ts
  • Unsealed floors/surfaces. If your floor is clearly unsealed, or you suspect that it may be done improperly, then make sure you don't steam clean it. ...
  • Painted walls/surfaces. Hot steam and painted walls are a terrible mix. ...
  • Porous surfaces (eg: brick & marble) ...
  • Delicate fabrics (eg: silk & velour)

How do you steam clean interior walls?

Steam Clean the Walls

Start steam cleaning walls at the top and work your way down. Hold the nozzle around 4 to 6 inches away from the wall, working in slow, vertical strokes. Keep the nozzle moving over the surface—if you let it linger in one spot too long, this could lead to surface damage.

How to Clean Walls with a Steam Cleaner

Can you use a steamer on drywall?

Drywall can be damaged if it gets too wet, so be careful not to over soak or over-steam it. If any drywall comes off along with your wallpaper, stop immediately. This could be a result of the drywall not being properly sealed with paint. Rectify the issue with glue, filler and sealer before steaming on.

What is the best thing to clean internal walls with?

For general dirt and grime, dishwashing soap is a simple and effective solution. Mix a small amount of dishwashing soap with warm water in your bucket then dip a soft cloth or sponge into the soapy water and wring out the excess liquid.

Where does the dirt go when you steam clean?

So, where does the dirt go when you steam clean? Actually, it doesn't go anywhere. Instead, the heat and vapour of steam cleaning ensure that all the unwanted substances or stains are fully broken down and easy to get rid of.

What is the disadvantage of steam cleaning?

Long drying times for carpet

In Steam Cleaning Equipment, using steam for carpets, you may have to wait up to 24 hours for the carpet to be completely dry and able to be walked on again. This could be inconvenient for some, especially if the carpet is in a workplace or commercial area.

What should you not clean walls with?

Flat, eggshell or stain finishes is less durable and more likely to rub off. Try not to scrub too hard or wash with too abrasive a cleaner. Avoid harsh chemicals and use a mix of mild detergent and water. Semigloss or glossy finishes, popular on kitchen walls are durable enough to stand up to degreasing cleaners.

Can I use my Shark steam mop on walls?

Yes! Steam cleaning is safe for your walls and won't impact the other members of your household. It also offers plenty of other benefits, including: Minimal streaking.

Can you steam clean wall to wall carpet?

The most effective method for cleaning wall-to-wall carpets is vacuuming regularly to remove surface dirt and debris. For deeper cleaning, steam cleaning or hot water extraction is recommended, as it can penetrate the carpet fibers and lift stubborn stains and embedded dirt.

How do I clean drywall?

To effectively clean drywall after sanding, first use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove any loose dust particles. Then, wipe down the surfaces with a damp cloth to remove any remaining dust. Finally, ensure the surfaces are completely dry before proceeding with painting or other finishing tasks.

What do professional painters use to clean walls?

Professional painters use mild detergent and warm water when washing walls prior to painting for the best results.

Can you power wash drywall?

Exterior surfaces are typically more durable and can handle the punch of a pressure washer, while drywall, wood paneling, and stucco and other interior materials should be handled a little more gently.

When should you not use steam?

What You Shouldn't Steam Clean
  1. Walls or furniture finished in a water-based paint.
  2. Unsealed surfaces such as hardwood floors, marble, limestone, concrete, tile, or natural stone.
  3. Porous surfaces like cord, bamboo, paper, and cardboard.

Can you use a steam cleaner on walls?

Clean drywall, wallpaper and wooden walls.

You can use your steam cleaner to give the walls of every room a quick refresh.

What are three disadvantages of steaming?

News & Insights
  • Advantage #1: Fast Cooking Time. ...
  • Advantage #2: It's a Healthier Way to Cook. ...
  • Advantage #3: It's an Efficient Way to Cook. ...
  • Disadvantage #1: Steamers Can Break Down Easily. ...
  • Disadvantage #2: Steamers Can Use a lot of Water. ...
  • Disadvantage #3: Installation Can Be a Little Tricky.

Do you need to wipe after steam cleaning?

After steam cleaning, the surface can be rubbed dry using a cloth. Note for silicone grouting: apply steam only briefly to avoid damaging the material.

Will a steam cleaner crack glass?

Be sure to only clean the windows with steam if it is over 32 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent the glass from cracking. Steam will leave the glass portion clean and streak-free.

Can you Steam Clean with just water?

It is recommended to only use distilled water in your steam machine since tap water contains minerals (especially hard water). If for some reason distilled water is not available, filtered water would be a good second option. Tap water should only be used as a last resort.

What to clean baseboards with?

Fill a bucket with a gallon of hot water and a few squirts of dish soap or a cup of vinegar. Use a microfiber cloth and soapy water to wipe down the baseboards. Only work on one small section at a time. Once that section is clean, dry it with a new cloth, and then continue cleaning along the wall.

How to clean inside the walls of a house?

Mix a solution of 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1 gallon of warm water. Use a sponge to gently scrub the walls. Use a clean, wet cloth to remove the cleaning residue and let the wall air dry.

Previous article
Why do burglars not pick locks?
Next article
How often should I snake a French drain?