If scuffs and smudges do not come off easily, dip a damp sponge into some baking soda and lightly scrub the area. The gentle abrasive action of the baking soda may remove the problem. As a last resort, gently rub a melamine sponge with water onto the stained area.
Flat wall paint is best cleaned with a Magic Eraser, which can be used to scrub almost anything when it's a little wet. Clean a flat, painted wall with help from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping tips.
A paste of baking soda and water (mix the parts until they're the consistency of toothpaste) is mildly abrasive, so it gently buffs away surface scuffs when you rub it on the wall in circular motions with a cloth. When you've successfully banished the scuff, wipe away the leftover bits with a clean, damp cloth.
Vinegar and dish soap solution: A cup of white vinegar and a drop of dish soap for general spot cleaning. Increase proportionally for larger areas. This solution is effective and safe for matte and flat paint.
Dampen a clean rag with a moderate amount of rubbing alcohol. Wipe down the marker stain until it is removed, refreshing the rubbing alcohol as needed. Once the stain is removed, finish off with wiping down the wall with a clean rag and water.
Rubbing alcohol, hand sanitiser, aerosol hairspray, white toothpaste (not gel), or a magic eraser can remove the marker stains from your walls.
Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol into a bowl.
Dab a clean cloth into the rubbing alcohol. Wring out any excess alcohol, then blot the alcohol-filled cloth against the stained portion of your wall until it absorbs the ink stain.
Unfortunately, flat paint is much quicker to show scuffs, smudges, and fingerprints than other types of paint finishes, and it can still accumulate dust and smoke stains over time.
Cleaning agents can be too harsh for your wall paint, and may leave the color of the soap on the wall. The best types of soap you can use for this step is dish soap or laundry detergent.
There is a spectrum of paint sheens, from flat to glossy. Typically, a higher sheen creates a more durable and cleanable finish. Because flat paint is porous and has the lowest sheen, it is less able to hold up to frequent scrubbing.
Before you start cleaning, test the Magic Eraser on a small area of your ceramic/vinyl floors. After the test, you're ready to go. Swipe the Magic Eraser across the scuffs with a steady grasp. In just a few swipes, you should start to see the mark lift away from your ceramic/vinyl floors like, well, magic!
Apply Goo Gone Pro Power onto a clean, terrycloth towel. Rub the towel with the Goo Gone onto the scuff mark until it disappears. Wash the area with soap and water.
To Remove paint scuffs on my vehicle yourself, start with a mild cleaner and a soft rag. Small scuffs might come clean with toothpaste or a baking soda/water solution. For deeper scratches, a commercial scratch remover or rubbing compound will work. When you are done, polish and wax it to bring back the shine.
Removing Scuff Marks from Flat Paint Walls
Add a small amount of baking soda to the sponge or cloth, and wipe the scuff mark. The baking soda is slightly abrasive, so proceed with a light motion. As an alternative, you can clean the mark using an eraser or melamine sponge.
If stains remain, Sherwin-Williams recommends spot-cleaning again with a paste of baking soda and water. Or you can dip your damp cloth or sponge into a mound of baking soda in a bowl. Remember that with flat paint, scrubbing will, in effect, polish the areas you scrub.
Effects of Magic Erasers on Painted Walls
While Magic Erasers are incredibly effective, they can pose some risks to painted walls. The main concern is abrasion. Since Magic Erasers work like fine sandpaper, there's a chance they might scrub off more than just the stain, potentially removing some paint along with it.
Try one of the versions of melamine-foam-based white sponges (“Magic Eraser” is one brand) –these are least likely to mar flat-painted surfaces, but due to their ablative action (they wear away) may leave a white residue on darker colors. Just follow them with an absorbent WHITE towel, using a gentle blotting action.
Touch-ups are effective for spot-filling walls on flat or low-sheen paint. In contrast, it can be difficult to blend touch-ups into aged, faded and high-sheen coatings such as satin.
You're better off using a light hand, some water, and a small amount of liquid dish soap or vinegar to clean walls with flat paint.
One other thing to consider is that flat paint tends to attract dust more easily than matte paint does. So if you have a busy house, this might not be the best choice for walls or ceilings in high-traffic areas.
Eggshell paint is more reflective, with a subtle sheen that gives richness and depth to walls. Flat paint has a clean, matte look that does not reflect light and hides surface imperfections well.
Rub off the Sharpie with something containing alcohol, like rubbing alcohol, hairspray, or hand sanitizer. Alternatively, apply white toothpaste to the Sharpie, let it sit for up to 10 minutes, then wipe it away with a damp cloth. For stubborn Sharpie stains, try applying WD-40.
Removing permanent marker from walls starts and ends with the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It's strong enough to power through marker and pen, turning your little one's permanent masterpiece into a temporary art installation. And your walls can go back to being beautiful.
Clean with mild cleanser: Use a mild cleanser or soap and water solution to clean the walls. Wipe down the entire surface, paying attention to corners and edges. Rubbing alcohol application: Dampen a clean cloth or sponge with 70% rubbing alcohol. Wipe the walls thoroughly, ensuring you cover the entire surface.