“The best way to clean walls without damaging paint is to use the least amount of water possible,” says Carpenter. “In order to do this we recommend using a slightly damp Magic Eraser. The Magic Eraser will help remove any dirt, debris, or grime from your walls without damaging the paint,” he explains.
Moisture Issues: High humidity or water intrusion can lead to moisture accumulation behind the paint. This is often seen in basements, bathrooms, or areas with poor ventilation. When moisture gets trapped, it can cause the paint to lose adhesion and peel.
Step 6: Remove Wall Stains Without Removing Paint
For latex-based paint: Mix a few tablespoons of baking soda with a little water until you create a paste. Apply the paste to the stains and gently remove the mark with a non-abrasive sponge. Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as the paint might strip.
Yes, you can use Swiffer to clean your walls. It helps keep them clean and prevents dust buildup and cobwebs.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray down greasy walls, such as in a kitchen, with the vinegar and allow it to sit for two or three minutes. Wipe down the wall with a damp rag. The vinegar cuts through cooking grease and removes the excess.
Mix one cup of white vinegar into a bucket of warm water, and use a soft sponge to tackle stubborn stains. You can also try using washing-up liquid and warm water.
Remove Scuffs and Crayon Marks from Walls
Clean Magic Eraser under a faucet to saturate it with water and then squeeze out the water. Scrub the wall scuff or crayon mark with gentle, steady pressure. Don't be overzealous or you'll lose some paint. Finish by wiping down the area with a damp cloth.
The best solution for cleaning walls is mild soap and warm water, as the soap will work hard to remove grime without harming the painted surfaces. If you have tougher stains or built-on dirt, you can scrub away these imperfections using a mix of baking soda and water, which acts as a natural, mild stain remover.
Always start at the top of the wall and use a vacuum with an extendable wand and dusting brush, a clean microfiber mop, or a microfiber duster to remove dust and cobwebs. Work your way down the wall lightly skimming the surface with the brush or duster. Clean a duster often to prevent redepositing the dirt.
Never heavily soap a wall as the residue is very tricky to get off, maybe more so than the original dirt! Baby wipes can work wonders but be careful as they can remove the paint if used too vigorously. Matte and other similar finishes are the trickiest to clean due to the surface structure.
When emulsion paint is still wet, all you need is some warm soapy water and a cloth to get it out. When an emulsion is dry, that job becomes harder. Before you go on the hunt for paint stripper, remember that you can easily paint over dry emulsion and you don't necessarily need to remove it.
However, using this on your walls gets a bit tricky, so you need to make sure you are using it the right way. Goo Gone spray gel does not remove paint from walls. However, the manufacturer recommends that it not be used on unpainted drywall at all, so apply this only to painted areas.
Of the two, satin is more durable and is slightly less likely to scuff or mark than eggshell and it's easier to clean when it does get marked. This makes it a better choice, especially for woodwork such as painting skirting boards, than eggshell for high traffic areas like hallways and living rooms.
Silk, satin or eggshell
Offering a much shinier and more polished finish, these steam-resistant paints have a sheen level of around 20%. They reflect light and are typically quite glossy. Opt for eggshell or satin for skirting and door frames and silk for walls in higher traffic rooms like kitchens and hallways.
Solution. To avoid peeling paint, make sure to properly prep the surface beforehand. Take a damp sponge with a bit of dish soap and gently clean the area. Allow the surface to dry completely before adding your first coat of primer or paint.
Professional painters use mild detergent and warm water when washing walls prior to painting for the best results.
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.
“Cleaning walls with a Magic Eraser and Dawn dish soap can be an effective method for removing dirt and stains,” Carpenter says.
Which paint is the easiest to wash? Though various paint finishes can be scrubbed clean, satin and semi-gloss finishes are the easiest to clean. Cleaning walls painted with these finishes can be as easy as wiping them down with soapy water.
Or anything overly abrasive for that matter. Magic erasers are particularly rough on painted walls because they are chemically abrasive. Even the most durable finishes will come off if you scrub them with a magic eraser. A sponge or damp cloth is more than sufficient for cleaning painted walls.
Don't Use Them On Your Car
Or any other delicate surface, for that matter, like silverware, glass, or metal surfaces. Dry erasers have the abrasiveness of a 3000 grit sandpaper – very fine, but can still mar shiny surfaces – like your stainless steel appliances!
A little dish detergent mixed with warm water is a gentle option. You can also use vinegar mixed with water. If that's not enough, start with a gallon of warm water and add 1/2 cup of vinegar, 1 cup of ammonia, and 1/4 cup of baking soda.
In my opinion, the Chomp wall mop is the greatest invention since the sponge. The teardrop-shaped swiveling mop head gets into tight corners with ease, and since the mop weighs less than 1.5 pounds, it's simple to maneuver and doesn't cause fatigue.