We may earn revenue from the product available on this page and enter in affiliate programs . Learn More ›

strip painted wall may seem like a daunting labor , but it ’s really quite simple-minded , albeit meter - consuming .

When washing walls , whether you ’re doing yearly cleansing or getting free of a obstinate stain , the most effective approach has everything to do with the type of key you ’re dealing with . Semi - gloss and glossy enamel pigment tend to stand up well to washing ; monotonous , satin , and eggshell rubber-base paint paints , on the other handwriting , may fade or rub off with harsh cleaning . The crafty part of cleaning wall is doing so without damaging the paint job beneath . In this usher , we ’ll take the air you through how to strip paint wall whole tone by tone , with peculiar attending to keep your painted surfaces pristine during routine cleansing and targeted stain remotion .

Woman uses a spray bottle and sponge to clean painted walls.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Before You Begin

As you uncontaminating paries , you may want to put down towels , newspaper , or another absorbent material material on the level under your work outer space to catch drips . It ’s also a good idea to fatigue rubber gloves to invalidate ill-gotten water drip down your arms . wring out sponges as you act upon goes a retentive style toward preventing drip that compromise the final result .

Mold and Mildew

If there ismold or mildew on the wall , you ’ll need to get rid of it before embarking on the clean techniques outlined below . The operation for killing clay sculpture and mildew postulate blanching agent . Begin by spray any moldy areas of the rampart with a solution of 1 part bleach and 3 parts piss . You may demand to recapitulate this operation , calculate on how much mold is present . call up : Whenever you ’re working with bleach , be certain to go forth a fan on and open a window to provide adequate ventilation .

If there is a lot of mold on the walls , if you are not comfortable murder it yourself , or if you tried and were stillborn , meet a professionalmold remediationcompany . You do n’t desire to leave any mold behind — it can mature back and cause breathing job , especially for those with allergy or asthma .

Cleaning Walls Before Painting Them

Before painting the walls in your nursing home , it is significant to clean house them . Whether you ’re trying to fix a recentlybotched paint jobor are painting your walls for the first time in decades , it is a good estimation to remove any rubble and soil from the wall to leave a clean surface for the new paint .

Keep these special considerations in mind when clean house wall before paint :

pick paint wall : Before applying your newinterior paint color , practice tender water mixed with a modest easy lay for cleaning walls , as explained below .

Article image

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Cleaning drywall : Drywall is porous , so you should forefend using chemical substance cleaner on it . Instead , begin by dust the bulwark with a vacuum or microfiber material . Then , souse a cellulose sponge in water , hug out the excess liquidity , and apply wakeful imperativeness to wipe down the drywall .

Cleaning wallpaper : Toclean wallpaper(vinyl and fiberglass ) , combine 1 gallon of weewee with ½ cup Castile soap or mild dish easy lay . Then , apply a nonabrasive sponge to wipe down the wallpaper . To remove stains on wallpaper , assay a resolution of 1 cup urine and ½ cup ashen vinegar .

Maintenance Cleaning of Painted Walls

Though many of us do n’t think to wash wall unless there ’s a spot or stain on them , pass over walls down every now and again — at least a few times a twelvemonth — to murder cumulate dust and filth is a good idea . The tilt of supplies below looks long , but do n’t let it put you off the task : You should be able to get wall clean with a vacuity , pail or bowl , sponge , and a bit of water . You ’ll only need the other items on this list if the fingerprints and scuff you ’ve cumulate are hard to remove .

SUPPLIES

Vacuum cleanerCellulose spongesBucketSponge mopMild dish soapAmmoniaDistilled white vinegarBaking sodaSoft lint - free clothsLong - manage microfiber dusting tool

Step 1: Vacuum the wall thoroughly.

The easiest way to pick walls commence with using avacuum cleanerto remove as much dust and debris from the rampart as potential . execute the dust brush attachment across skirting board and over the surface of the walls . Do n’t forget about the ceiling and corners ; they ’re not exempt from dust or cobwebs . Using alightweight vacuummay make it easier for you to reach these higher - up areas .

Step 2: Dampen a sponge and begin cleaning in a circular motion.

The best wall cleaner for this job should be just strong enough to remove scuffs , discoloration , fingerprints , and stains without damaging the paint at a lower place . To preserve the quality of your paint job , start up with the gentle cleanup method acting possible — in this case , water and a cellulose quick study .

Fill a bucket with strong water to save you from having to make multiple trips to the cesspool . Then , dip the sponge in the bucketful and expend circular motion to clean the intact surface of the rampart , baseboard , and cap . For those punishing - to - accomplish places , such as ceiling and extremely high wall , a cleansponge mopmay do in handy .

Step 3: Wipe down smudges and dirt with warm, soapy water.

After wiping down the walls with water , you may notice that spots , smudges , or stain remain , in which case you ’ll ask to abuse it up a notch . Start by dumping out the dirty body of water from your pail and refilling it with fresh warm water . Add in a few drib of a mild dish soap . Then , dip the sponge in the bucket and employ it to gently scratch any dirt you discover on the wall .

Step 4: For more stubborn stains, use other household cleaners to mix up a more powerful solution.

If you require even more firepower , create a root containing 1 cupful ammonia , ½ cup distilled clean vinegar , ¼ cup bake soda water , and 1 gallon of warm water system . Add the solution to a spray bottle , spray it onto the bulwark , andlightlyscrub with your sponge .

Step 5: Rinse the walls using a clean, damp sponge.

Before calling it a Clarence Day , gargle out your pail and fill it with warm water one more time . Dip a clean sponge in the piddle and pass over down the rampart to slay any Georgia home boy or chemical substance residue .

How to Remove Stains From Walls

If your rampart are covered with either flat or eggshell latex paint , hiring a professional cleaning company may be the safest resolution . If not pick decently , the polish of bland paint may wear down , leaving the vividness of your walls splotchy and spotty . A professional cleaning society will have the pecker and experience needed to properly make clean mat oreggshell paint finishes . If your walls have satin , semi - glossor other more durable finishes , read on to learn how to remove spot from them .

Cellulose spongesBaking sodaLint - innocent clothsCommercial degreaserMr . Clean Magic EraserLong - handled microfiber dusting tool

Step 1: Mix the stain remover.

You do n’t want a fancy wall stain remover for this business , but just a paste made of baking soda ash and pee . First , mix ½ cup of baking sodium carbonate with about an ounce of H2O . essay the solution on a out of sight part of the wall . If the rouge still bet hopeful after your test and there are no water system marks left after the field dry , you ’re sound to go . Otherwise , go on with care : A sloppy attempt could make the rampart look worse than before you started .

Step 2: Apply the baking soda paste to the stain.

If no water mark remain after your exam app has dry out , it ’s safe to proceed . Beginning at the top of the wall and working your way down , use a sponge to go for the baking washing soda solution to the stain in a thin level . Again , scrublightly , ideally in a orbitual movement , to minimize the risk of upset the paint .

Step 3: Wipe loosened dirt and grime with a dampened sponge.

As you work , use a clean , water - deaden parasite to clear away dirt and grime that clings to the baking soda library paste . Work in sections , and take care to wipe off all of the baking soda with the damp sponge . After gargle each section with the parazoan , dry it well using a clear , lint - free cloth before moving on to harness another smear .

Step 4: Use a degreaser or a Magic Eraser to remove any remaining stains.

For particularly severely - to - remove stains that a gentle wall - cleaning resolution just ca n’t handle — for instance , grease splatters on kitchen wall — try a commercial-grade production like the dissolvent - freeSpray Nine Heavy Duty Cleaner / Degreaser , or whip up ahomemade degreaser . Mr. Clean Magic Eraser also works well as a rampart scrub brush to remove crayon marks and fingerprint from wall , progress to it an peculiarly utile production in homes with child . This tool is so useful that it has earned it a place on our listing of the only cleaning supply you really call for .

Tips for Keeping WallsClean

Knowing how to clean lousy walls is of import , but you ’ll save yourself a lot of clock time and try if you may manage to keep the walls clean in the first place . Using a long - handle microfiberdusting toolto remove junk and debris every 2 to 3 calendar month can help prevent your bulwark from bugger off too contaminating .

wall in the kitchen or lavatory may need a moment more TLC than rampart in the rest of the house . Regularly using a dampish poriferan to remove intellectual nourishment residue in the kitchen and steam chump in the bathroom will help keep the wall in these room looking their adept .

Final Thoughts

Cleaning walls in your home does n’t have to find like a intimidating chore . With just a few basic pecker and materials , you may spruce up the walls in your home base or get them quick forpainting the room . Now that you bang how to clean paint walls , do you finger endue to tackle the cleaning undertaking that lies ahead ? Just remember : When clean house paint walls , turn gently and chaparral using round motions to avoid damaging the paint ’s finis .

FAQs

Clorox wipe should not be used to clean holey surfaces . Using them on a wall , especially one coated with a matte pigment , could deflower the finish . If you want to endeavor to useClorox wipesto clean your rampart , it is advisable to do a eyepatch trial on an inconspicuous section of the bulwark , such as behind a piece of furniture , to make certain the rub does n’t ruin the paint ’s finish .

Do not apply any abrasive house cleanup product on painted wall . Mild soap and tender water will suffice for most cleansing tasks . For sturdy blemishes , gently rub a paste of baking soda and warm water over the discoloration .

acetum can aid clean house walls before painting , but it ’s important to rinse the vinegar off the wall and ensure that there is no remnant residuum before applying a coating of paint . to boot , make certain that the wall have sufficient clip to dry out before you begin paint . They should feel dry to the contact ,   otherwise the paint could blister .

Woman uses the stick attachment to vacuum a light blue wall.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

This Is the Year for a Kitchen Renovation

Whether you ’re sell or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . instruct why we take this overhaul the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to last out on budget .

Woman uses a sponge mop to clean high spots on her painted walls.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Woman wipes a blue wall with a yellow, soapy sponge.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Woman pours baking soda through a funnel into a spray bottle, with bottles of vinegar and ammonia nearby.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Woman applies a baking soda paste to a stain on a painted wall.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Woman wearing purple rubber glove uses Magic Eraser to wipe a wall.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Woman uses a Swiffer to dust the walls of her home.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Article image