The BEST Ways to Clean a Painted Wall

Keep Your Walls Looking Fresh With These Simple Solutions

In order to keep your walls looking fresh, it is recommended to clean them at least twice a year. All that dirt, grease, and grime can really build up (especially in a house full of children/pets) and make your walls appear dull and dirty. Preserve that newly painted look by giving them a good wipe down regularly! I know, taking the time to clean your walls may sound like a daunting task, but it is actually quite simple. As a matter of fact, you probably already have all the supplies you need at home!  Take our expert advice and follow these tips on How to Clean a Painted Wall!

Dust Your Walls

Dust your walls from the top down. you can do this by using a vacuum cleaner, microfiber cloth, or a broom… yes, a broom. Brooms are great for getting near the top moulding and for removing cobwebs. Another trick is to use an unused paintbrush to dust around chair rails and wall corners. If your walls have never been dusted, or are just very dusty, use the brush attachment of your vacuum 

LATEX Paint vs OIL BASED Paint

Cleaning LATEX Painted Walls:

• MacFarland Painting pros use LATEX on all Interior walls!
• We recommend using WARM water and a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner – You can make your own by mixing one teaspoon of liquid dish soap and ¼ teaspoon of white vinegar into one quart of water.
• Dip a clean sponge into the mix, wring it dry, and gently rub the wall clean.
• Do NOT use products with ammonia.
• Scrub GENTLY!

Cleaning OIL BASED Painted Walls:

• Do NOT use all-purpose cleaner or white vinegar for walls painted with oil-based paint. The acid in the vinegar will dull and damage the oil-based finish.
• Instead, dip your sponge in a mix of dish soap, baking soda, and warm water. Keep your sponge slightly damp while you are rubbing the wall.
• Scrub GENTLY!

Treating Tough Stains

Have a streak. or mark on your wall that the cleaning solution can’t remove? DO NOT PANIC!

• Mix baking soda and water until you create a paste
• Apply the paste directly to the stain
• Let the paste sit for 5 minutes, and then wipe it away with a damp sponge

Be careful not to rub the mixture too hard as baking soda can be abrasive and leave marks on the walls.

Red wine stains? Try hydrogen peroxide!

PRO TIP: NEVER use magic erasers or stain remover pens on your painted walls.

ALWAYS TEST YOUR SOLUTION FIRST!

Although the cleaning methods we recommend are both gentle and safe on your painted walls, it is always best to spot-test an unseen area of your wall first. If the cleaning solution is too harsh, it can leave streaks and stains on your walls.