How to Clean Painted Walls

Keep your walls looking fresh with a little bit of preventive maintenance and these simple cleaning methods.

You mop your floors and vacuum your rugs, but when was the last time you cleaned your walls? We lean against them and touch them on a daily basis, therefore keeping your walls clean is just as important as cleaning other household surfaces. Over time, painted walls can accumulate stains, marks, and dust that give the surface a dull, dirty appearance. However, walls with different paint types and finishes require special care when scrubbing. Read these tips to learn how to clean walls without ruining the paint.

Photo courtesy of ApartmentTherapy.com

Flat, Satin & Eggshell Finishes
​Duller paint finishes are less durable when it comes to cleaning. Do not use harsh chemicals or degreasers when cleaning flat paint walls. When washing with a sponge, be sure not to scrub too hard. The sponge should be wrung out almost completely before putting it to the walls.

Glossy or Semigloss Finishes
​Because these paints are highly durable, they're most commonly used in high-traffic areas like the kitchen and bathroom or trim and baseboards. It's OK to use a mild degreaser on glossy kitchen backsplashes or vanity doors. Although glossy and semigloss paint is durable, it will still scratch, so always use a soft sponge while cleaning.

Latex vs. Oil-Based Paint
​The best way to wash walls painted with latex paint is to use warm water and a non abrasive all-purpose cleaner. Wash walls painted with an oil-based paint in the same manner, except substitute a detergent solution (see recipe below) or white vinegar mixture.
​
Make All-Purpose Wall Cleaner

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