5 Ways to Clean Painted Walls
Walls are the most important part of our properties. They protect against weather damage, are used as hand accessories and are a vital component of any design. But due to everyday use and lack of effective cleaning on a regular basis, our property’s beautiful painted walls may start showing signs of damage. The appearance of hand marks, grease deposits and decolouration are often the early signs that your painted walls need care and maintenance. Thankfully, there are simple and effective ways to keep your wall’s charm and beauty intact.
Following are some cleaning tips to follow if you wish to keep your walls spotless:
Use Vinegar
White vinegar is the ultimate kitchen ingredient, and it does more than enhance flavours. If the stain on your beautiful walls refuses to come off despite scrubbing it with water and detergent solution, then using warm water and vinegar solution can do the trick. Vinegar is a stronger chemical than detergent, making it an effective cleanser.
It can be used to clean mould deposits, and remove grease (after vigorous rubbing), and it doesn’t affect the paint. Using a spray bottle to evenly apply the vinegar and water solution will be immensely effective in removing strains easily. Make sure you are using a soft cotton cloth for the rubbing action to avoid scraping off paint.
Degreaser for Grease Deposits
Grease deposits on the walls end up looking ugly and are often hard to remove, even if you are using a water-detergent solution on the area. As these stains are particularly prominent in cooking spaces, there’s always a possibility of the stains being touched and having multiple layers to them.
Using a degreaser can take away the hassle of having to scrape the layers of grease off manually. All you need to do is carefully apply the degreaser to the target area, let it sit for some time and carefully scrape it off. There’s always a chance that you may have to apply multiple coats to finally get the desired results. Remember to wear gloves and if the chemical gets in touch with your skin or eyes, seek medical attention immediately.
Washing Techniques
Using regular washing techniques like mixing detergent and water can be immensely effective in removing superficial stains. Here’s how you can make it:
- Make a 1:1 ratio of lukewarm water and detergent and mix it well to dissolve lumps.
- Once the mix is ready, take a sponge and allow it to soak up the solution before squeezing the excess liquid out.
- Proceed to scrub the target area gently.
- Avoid putting excessive pressure during scrubbing to avoid chipping off the paint.
Once the target area has been thoroughly cleaned, gently pat the area with a clean cotton cloth. Make sure there are no aggressive rubbing actions involved as it can damage the outer coat of the paint’s layer.
Use Non-Abrasive Cleaner for Latex Walls
Latex paints are water-based and are made of synthetic polymers. Due to this, they are durable, non-toxic and offer incredible coverage. Due to this, it is important to use a non-abrasive all-purpose cleaner combined with water for cleaning purposes. Dip a sponge into the mix and gently squeeze it to remove excess solution.
Once done, rub the sponge gently on the target area to remove the stains. Make sure to put extra effort into the areas that are often touched or are subjected to wearing. If the stain is stubborn, using water and baking soda paste can be immensely helpful. Avoid keeping the paste on the wall for too long. Use rubbing alcohol to get rid of any residuals on the wall.
Baking Soda and Water Solution
Baking soda and water form a versatile solution (and even paste) that works wonders on cleaning tough stains. If you are looking for an easy and effortless way to clean stains without the hassles of exposing yourself to harmful chemicals. Besides, these two ingredients are easily available and can be found in most kitchens.
Make sure you are only using the freshly made solution and not letting it sit in the open over time, as the effectiveness can significantly drop. The solution is also incredible to get rid of crayons and pen marks. It is also advised to check the effectiveness of the solution by trying it on a wall that is hidden.
Bottomline
Many people don’t recognise it, but cleaning your interior walls is crucial to prevent stains from forever leaving a mark on the surface. Be it using a damp cloth to remove fresh marks from pens or crayons or using vinegar and lukewarm water solution to remove tough stains, thankfully, there are plenty of options that can be used to keep the wall in perfect condition.
