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Clean walls paint


How to Clean Painted Walls

Scuffs, marks, and stains on your walls can make even the cleanest room look shabby. The good news is that you don’t have to go out and buy a special cleaner or any tools for this job. Here’s how to clean painted walls easily.

Reviews by This Old House Reviews Team 07/22/2022 12:00 am

Your home’s floors obviously need regular cleaning, but what about your walls? Although painted walls don’t accumulate dirt the same way that floors do, they will start to gather dust, grime, and stains over time, particularly in high-traffic areas. Plan to clean your painted walls about once a year, doing so gently so as not to damage the finish of the paint.

Wall cleaning is just one part of keeping your home tidy, and it’s a big job. If you need help, consider calling a professional service like The Cleaning Authority. This nationwide company knows the best way to clean walls and other surfaces, and you can easily get a free estimate on its website.

However, if you’d prefer to do it yourself, here’s how to clean painted walls.

Prepare to Clean

Before you start soaping up sponges, make sure to get your home ready for this process. For starters, dust the walls you’ll be cleaning to remove any surface-level dirt. You can do this with a dusting cloth, a vacuum cleaner with a dust brush attachment, or a rag around a clean mop head. To get into corners or around baseboards and molding, a foam craft brush is great for detail work.

Also, put down a drop cloth or tarp against the walls you plan to clean. Although you don’t want to use enough water that it actually runs down the walls, there are always drips and spills with any cleaning project, so protect your floors.

Pick Your Cleaning Solution

Which cleaner you use will depend on the type of paint on your walls. Matte, flat, eggshell, or stain finishes are slightly more delicate and need a very mild cleaning solution. Use a small amount of dye-free hand soap or dishwashing detergent dissolved in warm water.

Glossy and semi-glossy finishes are a bit hardier, and you can use cleaners with a degreasing agent, including stronger types of dish soap. You can also use most non-abrasive multipurpose cleaners on this type of paint or make your own by mixing one teaspoon of liquid dish soap and ¼ teaspoon of white vinegar into one quart of water. This cleaner should work on most latex paints.

Finally, oil-based paints can take a slightly stronger cleanser. Use the same mixture from above or substitute a small amount of ammonia for the vinegar. You can consider adding an ounce of borax for every pint of water, as well.

If you have any doubts about how well your wall’s paint will stand up to these cleansers, test a small, inconspicuous area first.

Wash Gently

It’s a good idea to have two buckets and two sponges on hand: one for the cleaning solution and one for plain water to rinse. Use non-abrasive sponges (that is, the smooth side—not the scrubby side) and wring out the sponge so that it’s only mildly damp before touching it to the wall. Too much water can create bubbling or watermarks.

Start at the top of the wall and work downward in small sections, rinsing each area after you’ve cleaned it. Scrub gently, applying very little pressure and working in circular motions. Glossy and semi-glossy finishes are prone to scratching, so be particularly careful on those surfaces. Give extra care to areas around light switches or door frames. Also, be careful not to let any water drip into electrical outlets, wall jacks, or light switches.

Spot Treat for Stains

Walls can accumulate stains over time, so if you encounter any streaks or marks that a mild cleaning solution can’t seem to remove, don’t panic. You can make a paste out of baking soda and water and apply it to the stain. Give it a few minutes to set, and then wipe it away. Be careful not to scrub the mixture too hard, though, because baking soda can be abrasive.

A little bit of hydrogen peroxide can take care of red wine stains, and rubbing alcohol is worth a try. Always try gentler methods before working your way up to harsher cleansers. Cleaning products like stain removal pens and magic erasers can also help out. No matter what cleaner you use, make sure to wipe any residue away with a damp sponge afterward.

Dry the Walls

Since your sponge should be merely damp, there shouldn’t be much water left on the walls after rinsing, but you may want to hand-dry your wall with a towel anyway. If you removed any hanging pictures or other items from the wall, make sure it has thoroughly dried before replacing them. You might want to wait to clean your walls until the weather is warm and dry so you can open your windows to speed the process up.

For help or advice on how to clean walls, The Cleaning Authority offers its services in 45 states across the country, including all but Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Get a free estimate from the company today.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews. com.

Should You Clean Walls Before Painting?

No DIY advice is ignored as often as the recommendation to thoroughly wash the walls before priming and painting. Even careful DIYers are tempted to bypass this step when the walls appear to be clean and in good shape, and many do-it-yourselfers don't bother to clean them in any way, instead opting to simply slather paint over the walls. And the immediate consequences of skipping the cleaning step aren't always evident. In some cases, the paint job may hold up fine for many years, leading you to wonder why nearly all paint manufacturers firmly insist that washing the walls is a critical part of painting prep.

Further adding to the confusion is the fact that paint manufacturers themselves don't agree on just what kind of cleaning is essential. Read on to learn how to clean walls before painting.

Tip

What is the best thing to wash the walls with before painting? You can't go wrong with warm water and mild dishwashing liquid soap. Reserve TSP for walls caked with grease.

Recommendations of Major Manufacturers

The major paint manufacturers have different recommendations on the necessity of cleaning interior wall before painting, ranging from a cursory wiping to firm scrubbing with mild chemicals. Consider the advice of the major paint companies:

The reality, though, is that many people skip this step, or clean in a more cursory way. Not even pro painters are diligent about cleaning walls before they paint.

Professional Painters Usually Don't Wash Walls

Professional painters hate washing walls. There are many good reasons for this. For one reason, they're not in the business of washing—they're in the business of painting. Washing cuts into painting time, which cuts into their income, so don't expect your hired painter to wash down your walls unless you agree to pay them more for the service. Better yet, hire a cleaner to do this work, or do the cleaning yourself before the painter arrives.

Instead, your hired painter is likely to pole-sand the flat surfaces with a fine-grit sandpaper. Light sanding sloughs off sticky dirt and junk, deglosses surfaces, and knocks down some of the stipple.

When You

Might Be Able to Skip Washing

If you are painting the walls yourself and want to omit the step of washing walls as part of the preparation, the surfaces should meet at least most of the following conditions:

The spaces that might qualify as rooms that don't require active washing with detergent or TSP include:

Even these rooms, no matter how pristine, will require a wipe-down to eliminate loose dust.

When to Wash With Soap and Water

As noted above, most paint manufacturers recommend that you clean walls with at least mild detergent and water before painting. Although modern paints are so good that they bond well to almost any surface, it will adhere best to surfaces that are perfectly clean and smooth.

Watch Now: How to Clean Walls Before Painting

How to Wash Walls With Soap and Water

Walls that are visibly dusty or dirty from handprints or other grime should be washed with detergent and water. A good cleaning routine for walls looks like this:

  1. Remove the Big Stuff

    Knock down the dust bunnies and cobwebs with a broom.

  2. Clean Trim and Baseboards

    Use a lightly water-moistened cloth and run it across the tops of door and window trim and baseboards. These places will have significant amounts of dust. Cleaning them will help the painter's tape stick.

    The Spruce / Ruthie Darling

  3. Vacuum

    With the bristle attachment on a home or shop vacuum, vacuum any floor areas near the walls.

    The Spruce / Ruthie Darling

  4. Wipe

    Mix in a mild detergent with a bucket of warm water, and wipe down all the surfaces you will paint using a damp (not sopping) sponge.

    ​The Spruce / Ruthie Darling

  5. Rinse

    Immediately after washing, rinse the walls with clear water and a damp sponge.

    ​The Spruce / Ruthie Darling

When to Scrub with TSP

TSP (trisodium phosphate) is an inorganic powder (chemical formula Na3PO4) that creates an alkaline cleaning solution when mixed with water. The alkalinity makes it excellent at dissolving greases and oils, and TSP is recommended as a cleaning solution under certain conditions:

TSP also lightly etches surfaces, which makes it good for slightly dulling high-gloss paint surfaces. If the previous paint is a glossy finish, TSP washing can take the place of sanding to help the new paint bond.

When washing with TSP, mix the powder with water as directed by the product label, then wash the walls with a sponge dampened in the solution. Work in sections about 3 feet square. Let the solution sit for about two minutes on each section, then scrub again with TSP. Immediately rinse each section with another sponge dampened in clean water.

TSP can sometimes stain wood floors, so protect them with drop cloths. Also, keep the TSP off any surfaces that won't be painted. It is mildly caustic and may etch painted or stained woodwork. Wearing rubber gloves is recommended.

Wall paint: tips for choosing.

How to choose wall paint. Types of wall paints How to choose wall paint: expert advice.

Previously, when it came to renovating an apartment, everyone focused on wallpaper and tiles. Today, paint is mainly preferred - a huge choice allows you to replace almost any finishing materials with it. Even a beginner can handle the application of paint, which cannot be said about wallpapering and even more so about laying tiles. In addition to ease of use, wall paint has high aesthetics and wear resistance. However, in order for the coating to last for a long time and please the eye, you must be able to choose it correctly. That's what we'll talk about today - how to choose paint for walls and ceilings.

Contents

To paint or not to paint?

Despite the increased popularity of wall paint in recent years, many still face the choice of wallpapering or painting. If you have such a dilemma, we suggest considering all aspects of working with wall paints, as well as their performance characteristics.

Advantages of wall paints:

  1. Huge color palette - you can realize any of your fantasies by depicting a magnificent sunset or a starry sky with iridescent galaxies on the wall. Even if you do not find the desired color in the catalog, you can create it by mixing several colors.
  2. Paint gives an even and strong coating with proper surface preparation.
  3. There are washable compounds that can be cleaned with a damp cloth when dirty without fear of damaging the finishing layer.
  4. Pets (mostly cats) do not show any interest in the painted wall and do not scratch it, unlike wallpaper, which is pleasant to sharpen their claws.
  5. If a painted wall accidentally develops a permanent stain, chip or abrasion, the area can be repainted without major repairs. You can't do that with wallpaper. This saves you time and a lot of money.
  6. The paint is ideal for rooms with complex elements (arches, ledges, niches, etc.), since it is much easier to paint them than to wallpaper them.
  7. Wall painting takes much less time than wallpapering.

Unfortunately, not a single finishing material is without drawbacks. So that the paint holds well, it is necessary to properly prepare the surface of the wall. You should also choose the right paint, depending on the operational characteristics of the room in which the repair takes place. For example, in the bathroom, the walls are painted with chalk paint, that is, moisture-absorbing, then such a coating will not last very long. By the way, almost all paints, with the exception of glossy, absorb dust, so many prefer washable compositions (you can do wet cleaning). Despite these factors, decorative wall paint is one of the most popular interior and exterior finishing materials.

Wall paint types

All modern paints for walls and ceilings can be divided into two large groups, which differ in the basis: paints on water (water-soluble) and paints on solvents. The latter are distinguished by high water resistance and immunity to household chemicals. This group includes enamel, which can still be found on the walls in hospitals, on heating radiators (batteries), in bathrooms and kitchens of Soviet-built houses. This indicates the durability and enviable wear resistance of such compounds, but they have one serious drawback - a toxic smell that can harm the body, and the same composition. This is especially true for oil paints. Many choose them because of their low cost, but over time, such coatings turn yellow and crack. Modern enamel paints are not the same as they were a couple of decades ago - they dry rather quickly, do not smell so much, and have good wear resistance.

Despite the strength of the paints of the above category, it is better not to use them for interior work or limit them to an acceptable minimum. Water-soluble compositions are more suitable for painting walls in an apartment. Firstly, their composition is not as dangerous as solvent-based paints. Secondly, they have almost no smell, and if they do, it is not capable of harming the respiratory system. Thirdly, the coatings are breathable, that is, they do not disturb the natural microcirculation of air in the room. Such paints are completely fireproof, easy to use, and their color palette is much wider than that of enamels.

Acrylic paints

The popularity of acrylic wall paints is easy to explain - they are incredibly resistant, can withstand light wet cleaning and are versatile (suitable for both walls and ceilings). At first glance, it may seem that there is no better acrylic for interior decoration, but in the bathroom and in the kitchen it is better to cover the walls with something else. Yes, acrylic paint will not get wet from a few drops of water, you can erase the stain from it, but if the room is constantly (or often) humid, it will quickly ruin both the paint and the wall under it. The way out of this situation can be careful preparation and surface treatment and the use of a special acrylic composition.

Acrylic compositions:

  1. Water-based paints are breathable, have good adhesion, a wide color palette (you can tint yourself). There are textured wall paints that create a relief structure. Not intended for use in rooms with high levels of humidity. A couple of times you can gently erase the stain from them, but the coating deteriorates from frequent procedures. Such paints are suitable for renovation in the living room, hallway, bedroom.
  2. Water-dispersion - like water-based, they pass air well, but at the same time they are not afraid of repeated wet cleaning. Typically, these paints are sold in white, but they can be tinted to your taste with special concentrated additive dyes. Such compositions are suitable for hallways, kitchens, toilets (but not a bathroom or a combined bathroom).
  3. Acrylic - purely acrylic paints have high mechanical resistance, elasticity and gas impermeability. For these reasons, they are used for coloring reinforced concrete (waterproofing). It does not fade under ultraviolet light, helps to hide small cracks on surfaces, and does not let water through. The cost of a good acrylic resin paint is quite high compared to others, but it can still provide good insulation.
  4. Latex - but with latex paint you can safely paint the bathroom and kitchen, even above the sink itself, since they are not at all afraid of high humidity. For all their wear resistance, latex compounds give a pleasant-looking matte surface, and if you cover a textured wall with it, it will be reliably protected for many years.

    However, you should not expect that latex paint will be able to hide some defects - it is recommended to apply it on a carefully prepared wall. It is very popular to apply latex paint over textured wallpaper, creating an original surface. In this regard, latex paint will be the best option, since it forms the thinnest waterproof film on the surface of the wallpaper, protecting their texture from damage. The products of foreign manufacturers can be divided into several types depending on the degree of gloss of the dried paint (digital marking on the surface or the name of the paint itself). For example, Caparol Samtex3 is completely matte, while Caparol Samtex20 is glossy. Glossy coating differs from matte not only in appearance - it is more moisture resistant and does not retain dust and dirt particles. But at the same time, wall paint with a matte effect allows you to hide some wall defects, and gloss emphasizes them, so it can only be applied to a perfectly flat surface.
  5. Polyvinyl acetate - inexpensive, UV-resistant, environmentally friendly, not afraid of fats and oils, but not at all moisture resistant. Their composition is based on the familiar PVA glue. Due to their inability to withstand moisture and washing, such paints are generally good for covering ceilings in dry rooms. Another drawback is the small color palette. Polyvinyl acetate compositions are not tinted in a mechanized way, so this can only be done manually and only light shades can be obtained (however, only these are suitable for ceilings). The predominant part of PVA paints is represented by domestic manufacturers. Due to the low cost and limited use, foreign concerns do not pay much attention to this type of paint.
  6. Silicone - have good water resistance and vapor permeability. When applied, the paint fills in small cracks and helps mask irregularities. They have excellent adhesion to almost all surfaces, they hold well even over other paints, but the high cost does not make them popular.

Adhesive paints

Adhesive paints contain water-based organic polymers, which is why they have similar properties to water-based paints. However, unlike them, adhesive paints are not designed for operation in conditions of high humidity and wet cleaning.

Depending on the components used for the preparation of adhesive paint, the following types are distinguished:

  1. Dextered - based on bone glue. Paints are suitable for interior work, but only in fairly dry rooms.
  2. Casein - resistant to ultraviolet radiation, abrasion, have an attractive appearance, have good adhesion not only with concrete and brick, but also with plaster.

Silicate paints

Mineral-based paints with liquid glass in the composition. Due to the alkaline reaction, all precautions should be taken during application (gloves, respirator, goggles). This also serves as a reason for limiting the scope of silicate paints - they are not suitable for glass, metal, stone and ceramics. Also, it should not be applied over alkyd acrylic coatings. But despite all this and a rather poor color palette, silicate paints are actively used because of their ability to withstand temperature extremes, vapor permeability and moisture resistance.

Environmentally friendly paints

This type of paint is by definition best suited for interior decorating. This is the best option for a children's room and for repairs in rooms where people prone to allergies live. There is no one line of eco-friendly wall paints. Since the topic of health has recently begun to rise more and more often, many foreign and domestic manufacturers have corresponding products.

The environmental friendliness of such paints is explained by the use of only pure, natural and safe for health components for their preparation. They do not emit toxic fumes during application and drying, and if they come into contact with the skin, they are not able to cause even a hint of an allergy (you just need to rinse with water).

Helpful Hint: If you want to buy really high quality eco-friendly paint, look for products from Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian manufacturers. In these countries, there are serious restrictions on the use of harmful components to create interior decoration materials.

Environmentally friendly paint, whether latex or water-based wall paint, is free of lead, mercury, zinc, cadmium compounds and chlorinated phenols. To recognize such products in the store, pay attention to the label - most manufacturers focus on environmental friendliness. Caparol, for example, puts the E.L.F.

In the video about wall paint, all the problematic issues of choosing and using paint when repairing an apartment are considered in detail:

As you can see, choosing a wall paint color is not enough - you need to know a lot of nuances. But only after reading this article, you will already have an idea of ​​what products you need and what questions you should contact the sales assistant in the store.

Eco-friendly Kraffa Classic 9 paints0001

Catalog (pdf)(35.9 MB)

Siberian - inexpensive water paint

series Professional

Spectrum 5

Paints for ceilings and upper wall panels acrylic perfectly white matte

1 l 2.5 l 5 l 10 l
1.5 kg 3.75 kg 7.5 kg 15 kg

 

Spectrum 10

КРАСКА ДЛЯ СТЕН И ПОТОЛКОВ АКРИЛОВАЯ ИДЕАЛЬНО БЕЛАЯ МАТОВАЯ

0,9 л 2,25 л 4,5 л 9 л




Spectrum 15

WALL AND CEILING WATER-RESISTANT PAINT ACRYLIC PERFECT WHITE MATT

0. 9 l 2.25 l 4.5 l 9 l




Spectrum 20

WASHABLE PAINT FOR WALLS AND CEILINGS, ACRYLIC PERFECT WHITE MATT

Base A:

0.9 l 2.25 l 4.5 l 9 l


Base C:

0.9 l 2.25 l 9 l



Facade

FACADE PAINT ACRYLIC WHITE MATT

Base A:

1 L 2. 5 L 10 L
1.3 kg 3.25 kg
9 Base C:

9019 9019 9019l
0.9 l 2.25 L 9 L
1.17 kg 2.93 kg 11.7 kg
2.7 L 9 L

GF-021

Lench GF-021 for internal and outdoor works

0. 25 kg

Lencing Beton Kontakt

Clutching primer for external and internal work Acrylic

14 kg

Universal

PRIMER FOR MINERAL SURFACES ACRYLATE CLEAR

2. 5 l 10 l
2.5 kg 10 kg

Fruit tree protection paint

FRUIT TREE PROTECTION LATEX PAINT WHITE ECO-FRIENDLY WATER-SOLUBLE

1 l 2.5 l
1.5 kg 3.75 kg

All season foam 65 professional

750 ml

Destructor

washing paint from metal, concrete, wood and glass


0, 48l
00 00 00 00 00 00 901

135 Fire and biological protection Kraffa Classic

Fire and biological protection with enhanced fire retardant effect of the First group (highest) according to GOST R 53292-2009

5 l 10 l

Solvent 646

Solvent for dilution of NC, EP, COM, MS, MC

5 L
L 1 L 10 LED 10143 10 LED

White spirit

Solvent for diluting PF, M, ML, MCh, VN, etc.

Learn more