If you’re like most homeowners, you regularly vacuum the carpet, clean the floor and practically everything else in the home except for the walls. However, your interior walls accumulate dirt, dust, and other stains that can give the surface an unsightly appearance. So, here’s how you clean your interior walls without damaging the paint.
Items You Will Need
You will need two buckets of warm tap water, mild dishwashing soap, a sponge, a rag, a towel, baking soda, a vacuum cleaner, and a vacuum cleaner brush.
Vacuum the Dust on the Wall Surface
The first step is to remove any dust on the walls. It will make the rest of the cleaning process more manageable. Simply attach your vacuum’s brush attachment and carefully run it over the surface. The vacuum will quickly remove the dust without spreading it around the wall.
Cleaning Preparation
Next, mix one bucket of water with 2-3 drops of dishwashing soap. Place a clean rag below the surface of the wall. The rag’s purpose is to catch any droplets of water that may fall as you are wiping down the wall surface with a sponge. Dampen the sponge with the dishwashing soap and water mixture. Remove and twist to wring it out so that it’s not dripping wet. The sponge should be damp but not completely soaked.
Cleaning the Walls
Armed with the damp sponge, gently wipe the wall’s surface, starting from the top to bottom in smooth, even strokes—clean one wall section at a time. You may need to step on a stable stool to reach the upper portion of the wall near the ceiling. Be careful as you clean to prevent falling off the stool and injuring yourself.
Sponge Rinse
After wiping down the wall with the detergent and water mixture, rinse the sponge in the bucket of clean water to remove any dirt on the sponge. Then gently wipe down the wall section with the clean sponge to remove any remaining soapy residue on the surface.
Dry the Surface
After the wall is clean, use a lint-free towel to dry the surface. If you notice any stains on the wall, you can use a mixture of water and baking soda to remove it. Then use a clean damp sponge to wipe it clean and dry the area with a towel.
Wall Cleaning Tips
Avoid using chemicals, degreasers, or harsh detergents as they can damage the paint. While enamel and semi-gloss are durable paints that can withstand cleaning pressure, eggshell, satin, and flat finishes need to be handled with care. Therefore, be as gentle as possible with those types of paints and apply minimal pressure to avoid damaging the paint.
Water and electricity don’t mix, so be careful when cleaning around electrical outlets and wall switches. Cover them or turn off the electricity to the room at your fuse box.
That’s all there is to it! — use this handy guide to help you clean your interior walls without damaging the paint and keep your walls looking like new.
Frank Campanelli, the esteemed founder of Franklin Painting LLC, has been leading the company since 1986. He takes immense pride in the stellar reputation his dedicated team has built by consistently delivering top-notch service to each customer.
