How to Care for Painted Walls

by | Mar 20, 2023 | Uncategorized

Best Way To Keep Painted Walls Clean

So, your painting company or contractor has finished your project, and now you have the perfect wall colors. Great! But what do you do once sticky little fingers add their artwork to it, or the dog slings drool up and down the hallway? Here are some pointers to include your freshly painted spaces in your regular home maintenance.

While you take care of your seasonal cleaning, don’t neglect your painted walls. Take time to dust them or scrub out stains. Here’s how to clean them properly.

Cleaning Painted Walls

Cleaning your painted walls isn’t difficult, but it can be time-consuming. Here are some things to keep in mind.

  • It helps to know which type of paint you have. If you have semi-gloss or glossy enamel paint, you’re in luck. These types of paint are the easiest to clean. Suppose you have eggshell latex paint, on the other hand. In that case, you’ll want to be careful because abrasive scrubbing can affect your paint color. Below, we give specific instructions for cleaning latex and oil-based paint. 
  • Always start with dusting. You can do this with the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner or lightly dampen your preferred cleaning rag. Depending on your household, simply cleaning your walls using this method can keep them looking clean for another year.
  • Always start with the gentlest cleaning solutions possible, and don’t use too much water! Sometimes, a quick swipe with a damp sponge will do the trick.
  • You can even make homemade cleaning solutions that are much gentler and work just as well as store-bought chemicals. Add 1 cup ammonia, ½ cup vinegar, and ¼ cup baking soda to a gallon of warm water for general cleaning. If you have a stubborn spot, try a baking soda and water solution to target these areas.
  • If you’re worried about your wall color fading, be sure to test out your cleaning solution on a patch of wall that won’t show, like the area behind your sofa. If, after cleaning, your paint looks bright without any watermarks, you’re in good shape!
  • Don’t forget to review your walls with a final sweep of the sponge and fresh, clean water. You don’t want dust clinging to soapy residue on your walls. After cleaning and rinsing, dry the area with a soft cloth, so you don’t leave any drips or watermarks.
  • Got grease giving you trouble? For stains that are hard to remove, try a kitchen degreaser product. The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser has become a favorite for staying gentle on painted areas while removing stubborn spots.

How To Maintain Painted Walls

The best way to keep your painted walls looking fresh is by keeping dust and spots off them in the first place. This preventative maintenance can go a long way toward keeping your paint job looking flawless. Here’s what to do.

First, vacuum your painted walls with a soft brush vacuum attachment. Next, use a dusting spray and a cloth-covered mop or dusting wipe to clean the walls. Just remember to avoid using much water on your walls. If you notice fingerprints or other marks, wipe them off immediately.

Cleaning Tips For Walls Painted with Latex Paint

If your walls are painted with latex paint, you’ll want to choose a non-abrasive cleaner – nothing too harsh. Rub a damp sponge gently in a circular motion to remove dirt or marks.

Sometimes, you can clean your walls with a sponge dipped in clean water and wrung dry. Try the baking soda and water solution, white vinegar and water, or a gentle store-bought cleaner for more stubborn stains.

Be careful around light switches, outlets, or other electrical connections! And again, be sure to use a soft, dry cloth when you’re finished so you don’t leave streaks.

Cleaning Tips For Walls Painted with Oil-Based Paint

For walls painted with oil-based paint, wash them in the same way, but avoid using an all-purpose cleaner! Chemicals can fade or mar the color of your walls. Instead, try this detergent solution:

  • Stir 1 teaspoon of liquid dish detergent into a quart of warm water.
  • Add 1/4 teaspoon of white vinegar.
  • Let solution sit on stain for 10 minutes before blotting.

Do you have texture-painted walls? If so, you should do a deeper cleaning. Adding an ounce of Borax to each pint of water you use should do the trick.

Use PAINT HOUSE painting company to give you a fresh new look!

If these tips just aren’t working for you, it may be time to put a new coat of color on your walls. We’re happy to hear more about your needs and get a quote prepared for you. Just give us a call!